Lower Serum Cholesterol Concentrations Research Articles

Intake of herring oil, but not of anchovy oil, resulted in a lower serum cholesterol concentration in male Zucker Diabetic Sprague Dawley rats.

Patients with type 2 diabetes have increased risks for dyslipidaemia and subsequently for developing vascular complications. A recent meta-analysis found that cetoleic acid (C22:1n-11) rich fish oils resulted in lower cholesterol concentration in rodents. The aim was to investigate the effect of consuming fish oils with or without cetoleic acid on serum cholesterol concentration in diabetic rats and to elucidate any effects on cholesterol metabolism. Eighteen male Zucker Diabetic Sprague Dawley rats were fed diets containing herring oil (HERO) or anchovy oil (ANCO) or a control diet with soyabean oil for 5 weeks. The HERO diet contained 0·70 % cetoleic acid, with no cetoleic acid in the ANCO diet. The HERO and ANCO diets contained 0·35 and 0·37 wt% EPA + DHA, respectively. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA. The serum total cholesterol concentration was 14 % lower in the HERO group compared with ANCO and Control groups (P = 0·023). The HERO group had a higher faecal excretion of bile acids (P = 0·0036), but the cholesterol production in the liver, the hepatic secretion of VLDL and the liver's capacity to take up cholesterol were similar to controls. The ANCO diet did not affect the serum cholesterol concentration, but the hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis, the clearance of lipoprotein cholesterol and the excretion of bile acids in faeces were higher than in the Control group. To conclude, consumption of herring oil, but not of anchovy oil, led to a lower cholesterol concentration in a type 2 diabetes rat model.

Early-life milk replacer feeding mediates lipid metabolism disorders induced by colonic microbiota and bile acid profiles to reduce body weight in goat model

BackgroundDysregulation of lipid metabolism and its consequences on growth performance in young ruminants have attracted attention, especially in the context of alternative feeding strategies. This study aims to elucidate the effects of milk replacer (MR) feeding on growth, lipid metabolism, colonic epithelial gene expression, colonic microbiota composition and systemic metabolism in goat kids compared to breast milk (BM) feeding, addressing a critical knowledge gap in early life nutrition.MethodsTen female goat kids were divided into 2 groups: those fed breast milk (BM group) and those fed a milk replacer (MR group). Over a period of 28 d, body weight was monitored and blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Profiling of the colonial microbiota was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Intestinal microbiota transplantation (IMT) experiments in gnotobiotic mice were performed to validate causality.ResultsMR-fed pups exhibited reduced daily body-weight gain due to impaired lipid metabolism as evidenced by lower serum and liver total cholesterol (TC) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. Transcriptomic analysis of the colonic epithelium revealed upregulated genes involved in negative regulation of lipid metabolism, concomitant with microbiota shifts characterized by a decrease in Firmicutes and an increase in Actinobacteria. Specifically, genera such as Bifidobacterium and Prevotella were enriched in the MR group, while Clostridium and Faecalibacterium were depleted. Metabolomics analyses confirmed alterations in bile acid and fatty acid metabolic pathways. IMT experiments in mice recapitulated the metabolic phenotype observed in MR-fed goats, confirming the role of the microbiota in modulating host lipid metabolism.ConclusionsMilk replacer feeding in goat kids disrupts lipid metabolism and gut microbiota dynamics, resulting in reduced growth rates and metabolic alterations. These findings highlight the importance of early nutritional intervention on metabolic programming and suggest that modulation of the gut microbiota may be a target for improving growth and metabolic health in ruminants. This study contributes to the understanding of nutritional management strategies in livestock and their impact on animal health and productivity.

The effect of hydroxychloroquine on cholesterol synthesis depends on the profile of cholesterol metabolism. A controlled clinical study

Background and aimsHydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has a variable effect on cholesterol synthesis. To clarify this, we assessed the effect of HCQ on the cholesterol-synthesis pathway in individuals with low and high cholesterol absorption efficiency. MethodA total of 53 acute myocardial infarction patients with a constant statin dose randomized to receive HCQ or placebo for six months in a double-blind manner, were classified further into low (n = 26) and high (n = 27) cholesterol absorbers based on the median baseline serum cholestanol level. Serum lipids and biomarkers of cholesterol synthesis (squalene, lanosterol, zymostenol, desmosterol, and lathosterol) and absorption efficiency (sitosterol and cholestanol), were measured at baseline and one-, six-, and 12-month follow-up visits. ResultsIn low cholesterol absorbers, serum cholesterol concentration and cholesterol synthesis and absorption biomarkers did not differ between the HCQ and placebo groups. At one month, high cholesterol absorbers with HCQ had lower serum cholesterol concentration and serum lanosterol to cholesterol ratio in comparison to the placebo group (HCQ 3.18 ± 0.62 vs. placebo 3.71 ± 0.65, p = 0.042, and HCQ 10.4 ± 2.55 vs. placebo 13.1 ± 2.36, p = 0.008, respectively). At 12 months, serum desmosterol to cholesterol ratio was lower in HCQ users (HCQ 47.1 ± 7.08 vs. placebo 59.0 ± 13.1, p = 0.011). ConclusionsHCQ affects the cholesterol-synthesis pathway in high cholesterol absorbers. It reduces serum lanosterol and desmosterol ratios and consequently serum cholesterol concentration possibly by inhibiting the activity of lanosterol synthase as described earlier in vitro studies. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02648464.

Cholesterol-Lowering and Antioxidant Effects of Pork-Liver Protein Hydrolysate in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty Rats.

In this study, we investigated the effects of a porcine liver protein hydrolysate (PLH) diet on lipid metabolism in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, a model of type II diabetes. OLETF rats (20-wk-old males) were pair-fed with either a PLH diet containing 20% PLH or a casein diet for 14 wk. Dietary PLH significantly lowered serum cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations, mainly by decreasing low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein fractions. Fecal cholesterol was significantly increased in the PLH diet group; however, the total bile acid concentration in the feces was not significantly different between the groups. In addition, the PLH diet significantly decreased serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substance concentrations. These results suggest that dietary PLH exerts hyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects, indicating that it is a novel functional food ingredient.

Macular outer nuclear layer, ellipsoid zone and outer photoreceptor segment band thickness, axial length and other determinants

The study aims to assess the thickness of the retinal outer nuclear layer (ONL), ellipsoid zone (EZ) and photoreceptor outer segment (POS) band in various macular regions and its associations with axial length and other parameters. Participants of the Beijing Eye Study 2011 underwent a series of examinations including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of the macula. The current study included 2213 participants without retinal or optic nerve diseases (age: 61.7 ± 8.4 years; range 50–93 years); axial length: 23.15 ± 0.95 mm; range 18.96–29.15 mm). The ONL (fovea: 98.9 ± 8.8 µm), EZ (fovea: 24.1 ± 0.5 µm) and POS band (fovea: 24.3 ± 3.5 µm) were the thickest (P < 0.001) in the fovea (defined as the thinnest central point), followed by the temporal inner, nasal inner, inferior inner, superior inner, inferior outer, temporal outer, nasal outer, and superior outer region. In multivariable analysis, a thicker retinal ONL was associated (correlation coefficient r: 0.40) with shorter axial length (beta: − 0.14; P < 0.001) and shorter disc–fovea distance (beta: − 0.10; P = 0.001), after adjusting for younger age (beta: − 0.26; P < 0.001), male sex (beta: 0.24; P < 0.001), lower serum cholesterol concentration (beta: − 0.05; P = 0.04), and thicker subfoveal choroidal thickness (beta: 0.08; P < 0.001). The POS thickness increased with shorter axial length (beta: − 0.06; P < 0.001) and shorter optic disc–fovea distance (beta: − 0.05; P = 0.03), after adjusting for younger age (beta: − 0.34; P < 0.001), male sex (beta: 0.15; P < 0.001), and thicker subfoveal choroidal thickness (beta: 0.24; P < 0.001). As a conclusion, the photoreceptor ONL, EZ and POS band vary in thickness between different macular regions and differ in their correlations with axial length, disc–fovea distance, age, sex, and subfoveal choroidal thickness. The ONL thickness decrease with longer axial length and longer disc–fovea distance may point to an axial elongation-associated retinal stretching in the macula.

Pectin Feeding Influences Fecal Bile Acid Excretion, Hepatic Bile Acid and Cholesterol Synthesis and Serum Cholesterol in Rats

This study was designed to investigate the effects of pectin on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism and to elucidate the mechanisms involved in its hypolipidemic effect in rats. The key regulatory enzymes in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, were determined. Circulating, hepatic, and biliary lipid concentrations and fecal bile acid excretion were also measured. Male Wistar rats were fed a fiber-free or a pectin-supplemented (7 g/100 g) diet for 4 wk. Bile flow and the biliary secretion of both bile acids and cholesterol were not significantly different than controls in pectin-fed rats. The addition of pectin to the diet resulted in lower serum and liver cholesterol concentrations (-27 and -17%, respectively). Fecal bile acid excretion (+168%) and the hepatic activity of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (+70%) were significantly higher in pectin-fed animals. HMG-CoA reductase activity was also significantly greater (+11%) in the presence of dietary pectin. Results of our study indicate that pectin, by enhancing fecal bile acid excretion, may cause increased hepatic synthesis of bile acids and liver depletion of cholesterol in rats, which results in a higher rate of cholesterol synthesis and reduced serum cholesterol concentrations.

Influence of high-protein and high-carbohydrate diets on serum lipid and fructosamine concentrations in healthy cats.

The aim of this study was to determine whether high-protein and high-carbohydrate diets exert differential effects on serum cholesterol, triglyceride and fructosamine concentrations in healthy cats. A randomised, crossover diet trial was performed in 35 healthy shelter cats. Following baseline health assessments, cats were randomised into groups receiving either a high-protein or high-carbohydrate diet for 4 weeks. The cats were then fed a washout diet for 4 weeks before being transitioned to whichever of the two studied diets they had not yet received. Fasting serum cholesterol, triglyceride and fructosamine concentrations were determined at the end of each 4-week diet period. Cats on the high-carbohydrate diet had significantly lower serum cholesterol (P <0.001) concentrations compared with baseline measurements. Cats on the high-protein diet had significantly higher serum cholesterol (P <0.001) and triglyceride (P <0.001) concentrations, yet lower fructosamine (P <0.001) concentrations compared with baseline measurements. In contrast, overweight cats (body condition score [BCS] >5) had lower cholesterol (P = 0.007) and triglyceride (P = 0.032) concentrations on the high-protein diet than cats within other BCS groups. Diets higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates appear beneficial for short-term glucose control in healthy cats. A high-protein diet was associated with significantly elevated cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in healthy cats, even though the increase was significantly less pronounced in cats with a BCS >5. This finding suggests that overweight cats process high-protein diets, cholesterol and triglycerides differently than leaner cats.

The Association Between the Nordic-Style Diet Score and Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity in Tehranian Adults

Objective We aimed to assess the association of the Nordic-style diet score with general and abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a population-based cross-sectional study of Iranian adults. Methods We recruited 843 participants with an age range of 18 to 65 years (mean [SD] age, 44.8 [10.7] years). Dietary intake was assessed by a 168-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The Nordic-style diet score was calculated by using the median intake of 6 food groups including rye and whole grains, oatmeal, cabbage and vegetables, apples and pears, root vegetables, and fish. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI of obesity and MetS across tertiles of the Nordic diet score were calculated by logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, sex, energy intake, physical activity, smoking status, education, and marital status. Results A higher score of adherence to the Nordic-style diet score was not associated with general and central adiposity and MetS. With regard to components of the MetS, those in the second tertile of the Nordic-style diet score were at a lower risk of increased serum cholesterol concentration (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.43–0.86; P = .006), and high systolic (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.42–1.00; P = .05) and diastolic (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.46–1.06; P = .09) blood pressure. There was no association between the Nordic-style diet score and other components of the MetS. Conclusion This study showed that there was no significant relationship between Nordic-style diet score and abdominal and general obesity and MetS. Adopting a Nordic-style diet may be associated with lower serum cholesterol concentration and blood pressure.

Alterations in biochemical profiles and reproduction performance in postpartum dairy cows with metritis.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biochemical profile and reproductive performance in postpartum dairy cows with clinical metritis. The research was carried out using performed on 213 pluriparous lactating cows from two dairy herds in southeast Brazil. Dairy cows were assigned into a group of healthy cows (n=147) and cows with metritis (n=66). Blood samples to assess serum albumin, cholesterol, fibrinogen, calcium, gamma-glutammyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations were performed on day 8±2 postpartum. Metritic cows had lower (p<.05) serum albumin, cholesterol and calcium concentration, and higher (p<.05) GGT and AST activity, and BHBA and fibrinogen concentrations when compared to the healthy group. The calving-to-conception interval and services per pregnancy were higher in metritic cows (p<.01) than in healthy cows and the conception rate at first service was lower in metric group (p<.01). Variable importance in projection plots demonstrated that cholesterol was the main discriminator between metritic and healthy cows. Our results indicated alterations in the biochemical profile and impaired reproduction performance in metritic cows.

SUN-548 Ketone Bodies in Critical Illness Alter Cholesterol Synthesis in Skeletal Muscle, Interlinked with Protection Against Weakness

Background: Critically ill patients often develop muscle weakness, which hampers recovery. In septic mice, supplementing parenteral nutrition (PN) with ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) attenuated muscle weakness, but also normalized sepsis-induced low cholesterol1. As 3HB can be metabolized into cholesterol, we hypothesized that improved muscle function with 3HB was related to altered cholesterol metabolism. Methods: In a catheterized, fluid-resuscitated, antibiotics-treated mouse model of prolonged sepsis (cecal ligation and puncture), septic mice received PN supplemented with either D,L-3HB sodium salt (PN+3HB; 150 mg/day) or isocaloric glucose (PN+gluc) and healthy pair-fed mice served as controls (n=15-17 mice/group). After 5 days, ex vivo muscle force and markers of cholesterol metabolism were assessed. In 600 weak and non-weak human critically ill patients (weakness assessed on day 8±1 in ICU by MRC sum score), serum total cholesterol concentration was measured on ICU day 3 or last day for shorter stayers. Results: In mice, PN+3HB counteracted the sepsis-induced lowering of plasma cholesterol (p=0.04), which correlated positively with absolute muscle force (R2=0.19, p=0.002). Plasma mevalonate concentration, a surrogate marker of cholesterol synthesis, was reduced by sepsis (p=0.03 vs. controls), but normalized by PN+3HB (p=0.001 vs. PN+gluc). Skeletal muscle expression of cholesterol synthesis genes Srebf2, Hmgcr and Hmgcs1 was higher in PN+3HB than in PN+gluc septic mice (p≤0.01). Expression of cholesterol uptake receptor Ldlr was also increased in PN+3HB septic mice (p=0.02 vs. PN+gluc), whereas PN+3HB did not affect cholesterol efflux transporters. In contrast, PN+3HB did not alter sepsis-induced alterations in markers of hepatic cholesterol metabolism. Plasma concentration of ubiquinone, a central co-factor of the mitochondrial respiratory chain derived from mevalonate, was increased by sepsis, irrespective of PN+3HB (p<0.0001 vs. controls) and PN+3HB could not counteract sepsis-induced muscular mitochondrial dysfunction (p≤0.0009 vs. controls). This excludes the involvement of ubiquinone in muscle weakness attenuation by 3HB supplementation. However, higher muscular Nceh1 expression was observed with PN+3HB (p≤0.04 vs. controls and PN+gluc), suggesting enhanced shuttling of newly formed free cholesterol to the membranes. In human ICU patients, lower serum cholesterol concentration was observed in weak vs. non-weak patients (p=0.0002). In a multivariate model adjusted for baseline risk factors, low serum cholesterol concentrations were independently associated with muscle weakness (p=0.05). Conclusion: 3HB supplementation of PN enhanced muscle cholesterol synthesis and increased plasma cholesterol, which appeared to independently protect against sepsis-induced muscle weakness. 1 Goossens et al. (2019). Crit Care. 23: 236.

Effect of fixed dose combination of vitamin d with atorvastatin on serum lipid levels in hyperlipidemic patients

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a well documented risk factor for atherosclerosis, responsible for significant amount of ischemic strokes and heart disease globally. Studies have shown that vitamin D supplementation with atorvastatin has synergistic effects in lowering serum cholesterol concentrations and ameliorating statin-induced myalgia and myopathy. Aim and objective: To estimate the effect of fixed dose combination of 1000 I.U of Vitamin D3 and Atorvastatin 10mg per day for 3 months on serum HDL, VLDL and Triglyceride values in hyperlipidemic patients compared to those on Atorvastatin 10 mg per day alone. Methodology: The study was a Prospective multiple arm analytical observational study. History and medical details and Data of serum lipid profile investigation, routinely checked at 6 weeks intervals in patients of cardiology department, were collected from the 97 recruited patients for 3 months after obtaining written informed consent from each patient. Results: The results of our study showed a significant reduction in VLDL and Triglyceride Cholesterol values in two study groups at 12 weeks compared to baseline. No significant difference was observed between the two groups. 83% of patients in the study showed a significant elevation of HDL Cholesterol from baseline after 3 weeks of treatment. The mean percentage increase in HDL values from baseline to 3 weeks in Atorvastatin –Vitamin D group showed a significant difference compared with the other group.

Haematological and biochemical profiles during the puerperium in dairy cows - Short communication.

The main aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence of anaemia in Holstein dairy cows during the puerperium, and the haematological and biochemical profile of dairy cows with and without anaemia. The study was conducted in seven dairy herds in São Paulo State, Brazil. The evaluated sample comprised a total of 336 Holstein cows. Blood samples were collected at postpartum day 25 ± 3. Haematological analysis included white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet count, haematocrit value, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. The biochemical profile encompassed cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, albumin, globulin, fibrinogen, calcium and total bilirubin concentrations. The prevalence of anaemia was 16.3% in all herds, and this was not affected by clinical diseases, milk production, parity and body score condition. Moreover, anaemic cows had lower red blood cell count, haematocrit, haemoglobin, serum cholesterol and calcium concentrations and higher white blood cell and platelet counts, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, red cell distribution width, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, fibrinogen and globulin concentrations when compared with non-anaemic cows. The results indicate changes in energy balance and an inflammatory process in anaemic cows.

Comparative biochemical profiles, production and reproduction status of the post-partum dairy cows with and without purulent vaginal discharge.

Purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) is a prevalent uterine disease of dairy cows during the puerperium that affects the milk production and affects the profitability of farms. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the biochemical profile, the body condition score, the milk production of cows with PVD and the effects PVD on reproductive performance. A total of 338 Holstein dairy cows aged from 3 to 5years, from three commercial dairy farms, from Brazil, were used. Blood samples were collected within 25±3days post-partum from Holstein dairy cows without PVD (control cows, n=242) and cows with PVD (n=96), based on scoring of the vaginal discharge. The body condition score and milk production were recorded on the day of sampling. The biochemical profile encompassed albumin, urea, gamma-glutamyl transferase, calcium, fibrinogen and cholesterol concentrations. The number of services per pregnancy was lower (p<0.01), and the number of days until first insemination and the median time to pregnancy were higher in cows with PVD (p<0.01) when compared with control cows. Milk production and body condition score were lower (p<0.01) in cows with PVD than in control group. Cows with PVD had lower (p<0.05) serum albumin, urea, calcium and cholesterol concentrations, and higher serum gamma-glutamyl transferase activity and fibrinogen concentration than cows without PVD. Our results show that cows with PVD have changes in the biochemical profile and negative effects on production and reproduction performance.

Effect of probiotics, &lt;i&gt;Saccharomyces&lt;/i&gt; spp.Kb-5 and Kb-8, in diets on growth performance and cholesterol levels in ducks

The study was conducted to determine the effect of the probiotics, Saccharomyces spp.Kb-5 and Saccharomyces spp.Kb-8, on growth performance, carcass characteristics, serum and meat cholesterol levels in ducks. Two hundred and forty 1-day-old healthy male ducks were randomly allocated to four treatment groups: A) basal diet (control), B) basal diet + 0.20% Saccharomyces spp.Kb-5, C) basal diet + 0.20% Saccharomyces spp.Kb-8, and D) basal diet + 0.10% Saccharomyces spp.Kb-5 + 0.10% Saccharomyces spp.Kb-8. Growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum and meat cholesterol levels were determined when the ducks were 56 days old. Saccharomyces spp.Kb-5 and Saccharomyces spp.Kb-8, and the incombination, increased bodyweight gains, feed efficiencies and carcass weight significantly, but not affect the amount of feed consumed. The administration of Saccharomyces spp. results in significant lower serum and meat cholesterol concentrations compared to the control. It was concluded that the addition of Saccharomyces s pp.Kb-5 and Saccharomyces spp.Kb-8, and the incombination, in the diet increased growth performances, feed efficiency and carcass weight, and decreased serum and meat cholesterol concentrations in male ducklings. Keywords: carcass characteristics, digestibility, feed efficiencies

Intake of Baked Cod Fillet Resulted in Lower Serum Cholesterol and Higher Long Chain n-3 PUFA Concentrations in Serum and Tissues in Hypercholesterolemic Obese Zucker fa/fa Rats.

Increasing evidence indicates that lean fish consumption may benefit cardiovascular health. High cholesterol and low n-3 PUFA concentrations in serum are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease; therefore, it is of interest to investigate effects of cod intake on cholesterol and n-3 PUFAs in serum and tissues. Hypercholesterolemic obese Zucker fa/fa rats were fed diets containing 25% protein from baked cod fillet and 75% protein from casein (Baked Cod Diet), or casein as the sole protein source (Control Diet) for four weeks. Consuming Baked Cod Diet resulted in lower serum cholesterol and lower hepatic mRNA concentrations of HMG-CoA reductase and sterol O-acyltransferase-2 without affecting serum bile acid concentration, faecal excretion of cholesterol and bile acid, and hepatic concentrations of bile acids, cholesterol and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase mRNA when compared to Control Diet. Rats fed Baked Cod Diet had higher concentrations of n-3 PUFAs in serum, liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. To conclude, baked cod fillet intake resulted in lower serum cholesterol, which was probably caused by lower endogenous cholesterol synthesis, and higher n-3 PUFA in serum and tissues in obese Zucker fa/fa rats. These findings support the evidence that lean fish consumption might benefit cardiovascular health.

Water-Soluble Fish Protein Intake Led to Lower Serum and Liver Cholesterol Concentrations in Obese Zucker fa/fa Rats.

Proteins from different fish species and different raw materials such as fish fillets and by-products have shown promising cardioprotective effects in rodents and humans, including effects on cholesterol metabolism. Blue whiting is used mainly to produce fish meal for the feed industry and during this production, a water-soluble protein fraction, containing small peptides that are easily absorbed and may hold bioactive properties, is isolated. The effects of water-soluble fish protein on cholesterol metabolism were investigated in twelve male obese Zucker fa/fa rats. Rats were fed diets with water-soluble protein from blue whiting (BWW) as 1/3 of the total protein and the remaining 2/3 as casein (BWW group) or with casein as the sole protein source (control group). After 5 weeks intervention, the BWW group had lower serum total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations and lower cholesteryl ester concentration compared to controls. Hepatic concentrations of cholesterol, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, and LDL receptors were also lower in the BWW group. The groups had a similar concentration of serum total bile acids and similar fecal excretions of cholesterol and bile acids. To conclude, the BWW diet led to lower concentrations of serum and liver cholesterol in obese Zucker fa/fa rats, probably due to lower hepatic cholesterol synthesis.

Mustard and cumin seeds improve feed utilisation, milk production and milk fatty acids of Damascus goats.

The experiments reported in this Research Paper aimed to study the effects of mustard and cumin seeds inclusion on feed utilisation, milk production, composition, and profile of milk fatty acids in lactating Damascus goats. The study was a completely randomised design with repeated measurements in time using fifteen goats (6 ± 2 d of lactation) divided into 3 treatments (5 goats per treatment). Goats were offered a control diet of berseem clover and concentrates (1 : 1 dry matter (DM) basis) or the control diet supplemented with either 10 g/d of dried mustard seeds (mustard treatment) or 10 g/d of cumin seeds (cumin treatment) for 12 weeks. Treatments had no effect (P > 0·05) on feed intake, but enhanced (P < 0·05) digestibility of DM, organic matter, non-structural carbohydrates, and fibre fractions. Digestibility was greater (P < 0·001) with cumin treatment compared with mustard treatment. Mustard and cumin seeds had greater (P < 0·05) ruminal total short chain fatty acids (SCFA) production, and molar proportion of propionate, with greater (P < 0·001) SCFA production for cumin vs. mustard treatment. Mustard and cumin seeds increased (P < 0·05) concentrations of serum total proteins, globulin, and glucose and lowered (P < 0·05) serum cholesterol concentration. Mustard and cumin seeds inclusion elevated milk production (P = 0·007), while cumin increased milk contents (P < 0·05) of fat and lactose. Cumin treatment lowered (P < 0·05) milk saturated fatty acids (SFA) and had greater total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) contents. Overall, supplementing diets of Damascus goats with mustard or cumin seeds at 10 g/daily enhanced feed digestion, ruminal fermentation, milk yield (actual production by 6·8 and 11·1%, and energy corrected milk yield by 10·1 and 15·4%, respectively) and positively modified milk fatty acid profile with a 3·9% decrease in milk individual and total SFA, and an increase in individual and total UFA by about 9·7%, and total CLA by about 23·1%.

Autoimmune necrotising myopathy and HMGCR antibodies

Statins lower serum cholesterol concentrations by inhibiting the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR). Muscle side effects are relatively common and include asymptomatic elevation of serum creatine kinase (CK), myalgia, proximal...

Effects of adding essential oils of rosemary, dill and chicory extract to diets on performance, egg quality and some blood parameters of laying hens subjected to heat stress

ABSTRACTTo determine the effects of adding essential oils of rosemary, dill and chicory extract to diets on performance, egg quality and enzyme activity of laying hens subjected to heat stress, a total of 240 laying hens were used and based on a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial, eight diets, with five replicates, including basal diet with two levels of rosemary essential oil (0, 20 ml/100 kg), two levels of dill essential oil (0, 15 ml/100 kg) and two levels of chicory extract (0, 250 ml/100 kg) were fed to the experimental birds. Dietary dill had a significant effect on egg index under heat stress condition. The birds given rosemary, dill and chicory alone exhibited lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides concentration under thermoneutral and heat stress condition compared to those fed the basal diet (P < 0.05). Synergistic effects between dietary rosemary, dill and chicory significantly increased plasma glutathione peroxidase activity compared to those that received only rosemary, dill or chicory, which has been never reported (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of single or combination of rosemary, dill and chicory can improve at least some production performance and antioxidant enzyme activity (glutathione peroxidase) in heat-stressed laying hens.

Longitudinal child-oriented dietary intervention: Association with parental diet and cardio-metabolic risk factors. The Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project.

Background The child-oriented dietary intervention given in the prospective Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP) has decreased the intake of saturated fat and lowered serum cholesterol concentration in children from infancy until early adulthood. In this study, we investigated whether the uniquely long-term child-oriented intervention has affected also secondarily parental diet and cardio-metabolic risk factors. Methods The STRIP study is a longitudinal, randomized infancy-onset atherosclerosis prevention trial continued from the child's age of 8 months to 20 years. The main aim was to modify the child's diet towards reduced intake of saturated fat. Parental dietary intake assessed by a one-day food record and cardio-metabolic risk factors were analysed between the child's ages of 9-19 years. Results Saturated fat intake of parents in the intervention group was lower [mothers: 12.0 versus 13.9 daily energy (E%), p < 0.0001; fathers: 12.5 versus 13.9 E%, p < 0.0001] and polyunsaturated fat intake was higher (mothers: 6.1 versus 5.4 E%, p < 0.0001; fathers: 6.3 versus 5.9 E%, p = 0.0003) compared with the control parents. Maternal total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were lower in the intervention compared with the control group (mean ± SE 5.02 ± 0.04 versus 5.14 ± 0.04 mmol/l, p = 0.04 and 3.19 ± 0.04 versus 3.30 ± 0.03 mmol/l, p = 0.03, respectively). Paternal cholesterol values did not differ between the intervention and control groups. Other cardio-metabolic risk factors were similar in the study groups. Conclusions Child-oriented dietary intervention shifted the dietary fat intakes of parents closer to the recommendations and tended to decrease total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the intervention mothers. Dietary intervention directed to children benefits also parents.