Fecal Moisture Content Research Articles

Mouse model of metformin-induced diarrhea

ObjectiveMetformin, an oral medication used for type 2 diabetes mellitus, is the most commonly prescribed drug with less economic burden of patients. Although metformin’s efficacy and safety have long been...

Measurement and Modelling of Moisture Sorption Isotherm and Heat of Sorption of Fresh Feces

The drying (or dewatering) of fresh feces and fecal sludge is a productive step in the management of sanitation, waste treatment, and resource recovery services. An improved understanding of fresh feces and fecal sludge drying would contribute to the development and deployment of fecal sludge management services. However, there is a lack of available literature on the fundamental drying characteristics of fresh feces. In response to this gap, this work shares experimental results for equilibrium moisture content of fresh feces at different water activity levels (aw) and proposes the use of the Guggenheim, Anderson, and de Boer (GAB) model for predicting aw, calculating the heat of sorption, and estimating the corresponding energy requirements for drying of fresh feces. This is the first time this work has been done with fresh feces. The total heat of evaporation was significant up to a moisture content of about 0.2 kg water per kg dry solids. In addition to informing drying process design, the sorption isotherm can be used to predict microbial activity, which could improve the management of feces and fecal sludge from a public health perspective. These data in turn will be used to promote access to dignified, safe, and sustainable sanitation.

Effects of Phytase Inclusion in Broiler Breeder Diets During Early Lay on their Fecal and Egg Characteristics

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of phytase inclusion in broiler breeder diets on fecal and egg characteristics. A total of 48 female broiler breeders were evaluated in this study from 21 to 31 weeks of age. The dietary treatments were fed from 30 to 31 wks of age, and included a Positive Control (PosCon) diet, containing 3.0% calcium and 0.50% available phosphorus (AvP); a Negative Control (NegCon) diet, with 3.0% calcium and 0.25% AvP; Negative Control diet + 275 FTU/kg phytase (NegCon+275), and Negative control diet + 550 FTU/kg phytase (NegCon+550). Egg, yolk, albumin, and eggshell weight, albumin height, and eggshell thickness were measured. Fecal parameters included fecal moisture, liquid portion, and mineral content. After 14 d on the experimental diets during the onset of lay, the NegCon+550 diet increased (p<0.01) fecal moisture content. In general, hens fed the highest enzyme level (NegCon+550) excreted fewer (p<0.05) divalent and trivalent cations, which included Al, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn. Fecal Na and K levels were not affected by dietary treatments. The NegCon+550 diet increased fecal P when compared with the NegCon and the NegCon+275 diets. The NegCon+550 and PosCon diets exhibited similar fecal P. No significant effects on egg characteristics were observed. It was concluded that during early lay, various signs of fecal changes would probably be observed at phytase dosages above approximately 500 FTU/kg characterized by increased fecal moisture content and excretion of P in broiler breeders.

Maren Pills Improve Constipation via Regulating AQP3 and NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Slow Transit Constipation In Vitro and In Vivo.

Background Maren pills have been used to treat constipation. Aquaporin 3 (AQP3) plays a vital role in regulating water transfer in the colon. It has been reported that the downregulation of AQP3 can regulate liquid water metabolism and intestinal permeability in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) rats' colon via NF-κB pathway. In this study, we investigated whether the laxative effect of Maren pills is associated with the regulation of AQP3 and NF-κB signaling pathway in the colon. Methods The compound diphenoxylate suspension-induced STC rats received Maren pills intragastrically for 1 consecutive week to evaluate the laxative effect of Maren pills involving the regulation of AQP3 and NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, human intestinal epithelial cells (HT-29) were treated with drug serum to obtain in vitro data. Results Our results revealed that treatment with Maren pills increased the stool number, moisture content of feces, and intestinal transit rate in a dose-dependent manner. Maren pills significantly increased the AQP3, fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and protein kinase A (PKA) proteins in the colon of rats and in HT-29 cells. Mechanistically, Maren pills obviously inhibited the activation of NF-κB pathway in the colon of rats and in HT-29 cells. Conclusion These results suggest that the laxative effect of Maren pills is associated with the increased expression of AQP3 by downregulating NF-κB signal pathway.

효소처리 율무의 연화도 향상 및 변비개선 효과

The recent increase in elderly population has contributed to the increasing interest in the foods for the elderly. This research focuses on softening the texture of job’s-tear granules by enzyme treatment and the evaluation of their constipation improvement function via in vivo evaluation using mouse models. After enzyme treatment, the Job’s-tears exhibited a marked softening with a 70% reduction of hardness upon alternating treatment with commercial amylase and protease for 2 hours at 0.1% concentrations. Microstructure analysis with scanning electron microscopy revealed the degree of collapse of the Job’s-tear granules and the level of tissue degradation. Constipation was induced using loperamide, and the relief effect of softened Job’s-tears was determined over three dosage (500, 1,000, 2,000 mg/kg) using the data from the number of feces, and blood tests in the mouse model. The optimum dose of the enzymatized Job’s-tears was determined to be 500 mg/kg (EA500), which effectively improve excretion movement without liver toxicity. Compared with the control group, oral administration of enzymatized Job’s-tear resulted in higher fecal moisture content, higher fecal numbers, and increased length and width of intestinal epithelial cells in the mucous membranes. In conclusion, softened Job’s-tears were successfully produced by enzyme treatment, and their constipation relief function was confirmed in a mouse model. The results of the present investigation are expected to contribute to the development of foods for the elderly.

Dietary intervention using (1,3)/(1,6)-β-glucan, a fungus-derived soluble prebiotic ameliorates high-fat diet-induced metabolic distress and alters beneficially the gut microbiota in mice model.

Western diet, rich in carbohydrates and fat, is said to be a major factor underlying metabolic syndrome. Interventions with prebiotics, the key modulators of the gut microbiota, have paramount impact on host-associated metabolic disorders. Herein, we investigated the effect of fungus-derived (1,3)/(1,6)-β-glucan, a highly soluble dietary fiber, on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic distress. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with different diet groups (n = 11): control diet, HFD, 3g/kg or 5g/kg of β-glucan-incorporated HFD. At the end of experimental study period (12th week), body weight, feces weight and fecal moisture content were observed. Further, colonic motility was measured using activated charcoal meal study. Proteins extracted from liver and intestine tissues were subjected to western blot technique. Paraffin-embedded intestinal tissues were sectioned for histochemical [Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Alcian blue (AB) staining] analysis. Fecal microbiota analysis was performed using MOTHUR bioinformatic software. β-glucan consumption exhibited anti-obesity property in mice groups fed with HFD. In addition, β-glucan ameliorated HFD-induced hepatic stress, colonic motility and intestinal atrophy (reduction in colon length, goblet cells, and mucosal layer thickness). Further, β-glucan incorporation shifted bacterial community by increasing butyrate-producing bacteria such as Anaerostipes, Coprobacillus, and Roseburia and decreasing reportedly obesity-associated bacteria such as Parabacteroides and Lactococcus. Altogether, the outcomes of this present pre-clinical animal study show β-glucan to be a promising therapeutic candidate in the treatment of HFD-induced metabolic distress. Further comprehensive research has to be conducted to brace its clinical relevance, reproducibility and efficacy for aiding human health.

Lactobacillus plantarum B7 attenuates Salmonella typhimurium infection in mice: preclinical study in vitro and in vivo

Abstract Background Salmonella typhimurium is a cause of gastroenteritis including diarrhea. Lactobacillus plantarum is a probiotic widely used to prevent and treat diarrhea. Objectives To determine the protective effects of L. plantarum B7 on diarrhea in mice induced by S. typhimurium. Methods Inhibition of S. typhimurium growth by L. plantarum B7 was determined using an agar spot method. Mice were divided into 3 groups (n = 8 each): a control group, an S group administered 3 × 109 CFU/mL S. typhimurium, and an S + LP group administered 1 × 109 CFU/mL L. plantarum B7 and 3 × 109 CFU/mL S. typhimurium daily for 3 days. Counts of S. typhimurium and percentage of fecal moisture content (%FMC) were determined from stool samples. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and CXCL1 were determined. Results L. plantarum B7 produced a clear zone on S. typhimurium. There were significantly less S. typhimurium in the feces from mice in the S+LP group than in the S group. Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and CXCL1 in mice from the S group were significantly higher than levels in the S+LP and control groups. Feces from mice in the S group were soft and loose, whereas in the S+LP group they were hard and rod shaped. The %FMC in the S+LP group was significantly less than in the S group. Conclusions L. plantarum B7 can inhibit growth of S. typhimurium, decrease levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and attenuate symptoms of diarrhea induced in mice by S. typhimurium.

Efficacy of High Specific Volume Polysaccharide - A New Type of Dietary Fiber - On Molecular Mechanism of Intestinal Water Metabolism in Rats With Constipation.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a new type of dietary fiber – high specific volume polysaccharide (HSVP) – on fecal properties, serum vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) concentration, intestinal flora count, and expression of the VIP-cAMP-PKA-AQP3 signaling pathway.Marerial/MethodsCompound diphenoxylate was used in 48 healthy Wistar rats to establish a constipation model. Rats were divided into a normal control group, a constipation model group, an HSVP low-dose group, an HSVP medium-dose group, an HSVP high-dose group, and a fructose control group. We used colony count method, ELISA, WB, and RT-PCR to determine fecal moisture content, fecal hardness, fecal passage time, serum VIP concentration, number of intestinal bacteria, and VIP-cAMP-PKA-AQP3 signal pathway protein expression.ResultsThe constipation model was established successfully. HSVP (the medium dose was 10% and the high dose was 15%) improved fecal moisture content, reduced hardness, shortened fecal emptying time, increased intestinal bacteria, reduced serum VIP concentration, downregulated cAMP and PKAm RNA transcription, reduced protein expression, and reduced intestinal AQP3 expression.ConclusionsHSVP improved constipation, increased the number of intestinal bacteria, and elevated expression of the VIP-cAMP-PKA-AQP3 signaling pathway. The mechanism of HSVP in regulating intestinal water metabolism in constipated rats may occur through the VIP-cAMP-PKA-AQP3 signaling pathway, and be closely related to changes in intestinal bacteria. The important role of the brain-gut-microbiome axis in the pathogenesis of constipation has been confirmed in this study.

Effects of dietary supplementation of β-mannanase on performance and egg quality in laying hens

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate effects of dietary supplementation of β-mannanase (Hemicell®) on productive performance, egg quality, and fecal moisture content in laying hens from 20 to 35 weeks of age. A total of 375 Isa Brown’s hens (1615.6 ± 76.4 g/bird) were randomly assigned to 5 treatments in a completely randomized design. The 5 dietary treatments included (1) basal diet with a level of 2800 kcal ME and no β-mannanase supplementation (HE, Control), (2) HE + 32 units of β-mannanase/g of feed, (3) HE + 64 units of β-mannanase/g of feed, (4) basal diet with a level of 2700 kcal ME (LE) + 32 units of β-mannanase/g of feed, and (5) LE + 64 units of β-mannanase/g of feed. Each treatment was replicated with 25 cages of 3 hens each. All diets were in meal form and contained no antibiotics. The addition of β-mannanase to HE diets did not affect the egg production of birds as compared with the control (P &gt; 0.05). The birds fed LE diets with β-mannanase had the same egg production as those fed the control and β-mannanase-supplemented HE diets (P &gt; 0.05). Differences in egg weight, egg quality, survival rate, and fecal moisture content were not significant among the treatments (P &gt; 0.05). Briefly, addition of β-mannanase (32 units/g of feed) to LE diets would be beneficial for layers during the early laying period as it resulted in the same performance and egg quality as the HE diets without β-mannanase supplementation.

Effects of Moringa Oleifera leaf supplementation in lactating sow diets with or without banana peel powder as a fiber source on reproductive performance, fecal moisture content, rectal temperature and hormone profiles

Effects of Moringa Oleifera leaf supplementation in lactating sow diets with or without banana peel powder as a fiber source on reproductive performance, fecal moisture content, rectal temperature and hormone profiles

Influence of Lactitol and Psyllium on Bowel Function in Constipated Indian Volunteers: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Psyllium and lactitol have been reported to increase fecal volume, moisture content and bowel movement frequency (BMF). However, the benefits of their combined use on constipation has not been examined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 4-week intervention with lactitol and/or psyllium on bowel function in constipated volunteers. Adults (N = 172) who were diagnosed with functional constipation per Rome III criteria were randomized to four treatment groups: 10 g lactitol, 3.5 g psyllium, a combination of 10 g lactitol and 3.5 g psyllium, or placebo. The primary endpoint was change in BMF from Day 0 to 28 as compared to placebo. Secondary endpoints were assessed by inventories, including stool consistency, patient assessment of constipation symptoms and quality of life, relief of constipation, 24-h food recall, physical activity, product satisfaction and adverse events (AE). BMF increased by 3.0 BMs with lactitol, by 2.9 with psyllium, and by 3.1 with the combination, but was not different from placebo (3.7 BMs). Other clinical endpoints were similar between treatments. No serious AEs were reported. In conclusion, this study showed a similar effect on relief of constipation in all treatment groups. The treatments that were administered to the volunteers were well tolerated.

Biological activities of water-soluble polysaccharides from Opuntia humifusa stem in high-fat-diet-fed mice.

Water-soluble polysaccharide (WSP) of Opuntia humifusa stems was extracted and its biological activities in mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) were investigated. The mice were treated with oral doses of WSP for 4weeks. Body weight, fat mass, serum lipid, and hormone profiles, gastrointestinal tract changes were evaluated. WSP treatment resulted in a decrease in fat mass and improvement of lipid and hormone profiles associated with HFD consumption. In addition, WSP improved the gastrointestinal health of the mice by increasing ghrelin-releasing cells and serotonin-positive cells and boosted immune functions by increasing the expression of CD4+ cells and nitric oxide synthase. Also, WSP treatment reduced gastrointestinal transit time and increased fecal moisture content. These findings suggest that a sufficient intake of WSP from O. humifusa can be beneficial in preventing disorders that are associated with the consumption of HFD including the preservation of gastrointestinal health. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Opuntia humifusa is a traditional edible plant widely eaten in Asia for its high concentrations of vitamin C, polyphenols, and flavonoids. The research investigated the biological activity of WSP extracted from O. humifusa stems. The data obtained from this study sheds light on the use of plant-based polysaccharides in nutraceutical industries as potential functional food materials for the prevention of HFD-related disorders and improvement of gastrointestinal health. The results of this research could serve as a base for further research on this polysaccharide as a source of functional polysaccharides and promotes its usage on a large scale in functional food materials.

Prophylactic use of probiotic chocolate modulates intestinal physiological functions in constipated rats.

This study investigated the in vivo prophylactic effect of probiotic chocolate on constipation. Rats were administered chocolate containing 2.5×1010 CFU g-1 of probiotics daily for 4 weeks and treated with loperamide (5 mg kg-1 ) daily at the fourth week of treatment. Probiotic chocolate treatment significantly (P<0.05) increased the intestinal motility, colon length, fecal moisture content and number of excreted fecal pellets in constipated rats. Moreover, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction data and histological images also revealed that both probiotic chocolate LYC and BB12 treatments were capable of upregulating the mRNA expression levels of colonic ZO-1, occludin and AQP8, leading to the maintenance of the defensive barrier function in the constipated rats compared with the negative controls. Interestingly, these treatments also modulated gut bacterial populations by increasing the abundance levels of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, as well as reducing the abundance level of Enterobacteriaceae. The present study demonstrated that probiotic chocolate LYC and BB12 could potentially be used as alternative agents for prophylactic constipation. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Laxative effect of probiotic chocolate on loperamide-induced constipation in rats

The fecal morphology, defecation frequency, bowel function, intestinal motility, and fecal bacterial composition were evaluated to investigate the laxative effect of probiotic chocolate containing Streptococcus thermophilus MG510 and Lactobacillus plantarum LRCC5193 (LYC) on loperamide-induced constipated rats. Daily oral administration of LYC in constipated rats for two weeks was shown to significantly increase (n = 14) the defecation frequency, fecal moisture content, and relative abundance of fecal Lactobacillus and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Moreover, histological analysis of the distal colon of constipated rats revealed that LYC treatment can also increase the thickness of the colonic mucosa and muscle layers, and crypt of Lieberkühn. LYC also significantly increased (n = 5) the intestinal motility and modulated (n = 9) mRNA expression levels of colonic ZO-1 and Cldn-1 in the constipated rats. Altogether, these results demonstrate that probiotic chocolate has potential as a dietary adjunct for the treatment of constipation.

Microclimate has a greater influence than macroclimate on the availability of infective Haemonchus contortus larvae on herbage in a warmed temperate environment

Global climate change is altering epidemiological patterns of gastrointestinal nematode infections in grazing livestock, including through effects of temperature and moisture on the availability of infective third-stage larvae (L3). While considerable experimental effort has been devoted to the influences of climate on L3 development and survival in major nematode species, knowledge of effects on L3 migration out of faeces and onto herbage is more limited. In this study, we examined elements of this process for Haemonchus contortus in controlled and natural climates. The effect of temperature on migration rate from faeces was quantified and found to peak at 15 °C. In glasshouses, a 3 °C difference in mean temperature failed to produce a statistically significant difference in the number of L3 reaching herbage after a single rainfall event, and faecal moisture content (FMC) did not decline significantly more rapidly at the higher temperatures. Most larvae left the faeces and reached the grass within 3 h after simulated rainfall. On natural pasture in temperate summer, FMC was strongly affected by microclimate, with shade and long grass both significantly slowing drying. Results suggest that microclimate is important in determining FMC and larval migration, and that its effects can be greater than those of macroclimate, e.g. moderate differences in average ambient temperature. More work is needed to develop a full predictive understanding of larval availability in natural settings, which is the product of interacting factors acting on overlapping parasite cohorts.

Porcine Response to a Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella enterica serovar I 4,[5],12:i:- Outbreak Isolate.

Salmonella enterica serovar I 4,[5],12:i:- has emerged as a common nontyphoidal Salmonella serovar to cause human foodborne illness. An interesting trait of serovar I 4,[5],12:i:- is that it only expresses the fliC gene for bacterial motility (i.e., monophasic), while most Salmonella strains alternately express two flagellin genes (fliC and fljB). The goal of this study was to characterize the porcine response following inoculation with a multidrug-resistant (MDR) serovar I 4,[5],12:i:- isolate associated with a multistate pork outbreak to determine if the increased prevalence of serovar I 4,[5],12:i:- in swine is due to enhanced pathogenicity. Pigs were inoculated and subsequently evaluated for the ability of the isolate to colonize intestinal tissues, cause clinical symptoms, induce an immune response, and alter the fecal microbiota over a 7-day period. Pigs exhibited a significant increase in rectal temperature (fever) (p < 0.01) and fecal moisture content (diarrhea) (p < 0.05) at 2 days postinoculation (d.p.i.) compared with preinoculation (day 0). Serum analyses revealed significantly increased interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels at 2 (p ≤ 0.0001) and 3 (p < 0.01) d.p.i. compared with day 0, and antibodies against Salmonella lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were present in all pigs by 7 d.p.i. Serovar I 4,[5],12:i:- colonized porcine intestinal tissues and was shed in the feces throughout the 7-day study. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that the fecal microbiota was significantly altered following MDR serovar I 4,[5],12:i:- inoculation, with the largest shift observed between 0 and 7 d.p.i. Our data indicate that the pork outbreak-associated MDR serovar I 4,[5],12:i:- isolate induced transient clinical disease in swine and perturbed the gastrointestinal microbial community. The porcine response to MDR serovar I 4,[5],12:i:- is similar to previous studies with virulent biphasic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, suggesting that the absence of fljB does not substantially alter acute colonization or pathogenesis in pigs.

Assessing clogging of laminated hydrophobic membrane during fecal sludge drying

A new sanitation technology has been proposed in which a laminated hydrophobic membrane contains and enhances drying of fecal sludge in a toilet, with particular focus on application to urban regions of low-income countries. The proposed technology uses a laminated hydrophobic membrane liner as an integral component of container-based sanitation systems. The focus of this study is to quantitatively evaluate the laminate's clogging after repeated use, which will affect replacement interval and might limit the laminate's application in container-based toilets. The membrane of the laminated hydrophobic membrane used in this process is hydrophobic and only allows vapor transport. Drying of water vapor using the laminated hydrophobic membrane occurs due to moderate temperature or humidity gradients, while other constituents such as aqueous dissolved solutes of fecal sludge are retained. Controlled laboratory experiments evaluated repeated use of a laminated hydrophobic membrane for fecal sludge drying, with mild brushing/rinsing of the laminate between each application. Drying occurred at a constant rate as long as the fecal sludge moisture content exceeded 11.6 (g/g), below which water activity <1. Over five drying cycles, at a significance level of α = 0.05 the dimensionless drying rate in the constant-rate period was not reduced. While scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyses of used laminated hydrophobic membrane showed deposition of fecal sludge on the inner fabric of the laminate, particulate accumulation was never sufficient to alter the fecal sludge drying rate. Experiments with only water indicated that the fecal sludge increased the effective diffusion length through the laminate by 10–30%. These data demonstrate that clogging of the laminated hydrophobic membrane is minor over five cycles of fecal sludge drying with mild rinsing between cycles, indicating that use of the laminate may be feasible in many field applications.

Digestible energy and metabolizable energy contents of konjac flour residues and ramie in growing pigs.

The objectives of this study were to determine: 1) the effects of konjac flour residues and ramie on digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients in diets fed to growing pigs, 2) the DE and ME contents of konjac flour residues and ramie. Thirty barrows were allotted to 1 of 5 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment. The 5 diets include a corn-soybean meal basal diet (CTL), konjac flour residues diets containing 15% konjac flour residues (LK) or 30% konjac flour residues (HK), and ramie diets containing 15% ramie (LR) or 30% ramie (HR). The experiment lasted 19 days, including 7 days for cage adaptation, 7 days for diet adaptation, and 5 days for total feces and urine collection. The energy values and ATTD of nutrients in each diet were determined, and DE and ME contents of konjac flour residues and ramie were calculated. The results showed that consumption of konjac flour residues significantly increased (P < 0.01) the fecal moisture content compared with the ramie treatment. The LK, HK and HR diets had lower (P < 0.01) DE values compared with the CTL diet. The HR diet had greater (P < 0.01) DE value compared with the HK diet. The LK and LR diets showed greater (P < 0.01) ATTD of DM, OM, GE and CP compared with the HK and HR diets. The HK diet had the lowest (P < 0.01) ATTD of ether extract (EE) among the 5 diets. No differences were observed for the ATTD of NDF and ADF among the 5 diets. Moreover, the DE and ME values of konjac flour residues under 2 inclusion levels (15% and 30%) were 11.66, 11.87 MJ/kg and 10.41, 10.03 MJ/kg, respectively. The corresponding values for ramie were 13.27, 13.16 MJ/kg and 13.07, 12.82 MJ/kg, respectively. In conclusion, the differences in fecal moisture content and the ATTD of EE among the 5 diets were mainly due to the different chemical compositions of konjac flour residues and ramie. Compared with konjac flour residues, ramie has greater DE and ME values under the same inclusion level.

Effect of gut stress induced by oxidized wheat gluten on the growth performance, gut morphology and oxidative states of broilers.

This study was to investigate the effect of oxidized wheat gluten (OG) on growth performance, gut morphology and its oxidative states of broilers. One hundred and eighty-day-old male broilers (10 chicks/pen) were randomly allocated into three dietary treatments: control diet (CON), diet with 8% wheat gluten (WG) and diet with 8% OG with six pens/treatment. Body weight (BW) (21 and 35days) and average daily gain (ADG) (1-21days and 22-35days) decreased (p<.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1-21days and 22-35days) increased (p<.05) in OG treatment. Feed intake (FI) decreased (p<.05) in WG and OG treatments during 22-35days. However, FI was not influenced by dietary treatments during 1-21days (p>.05). The OG-fed broilers had a lower faecal pH value (p<.05) and higher faecal moisture content (p<05) at 14, 21, 28 and 35days. Villus height, crypt depth and V/C value were not different (p>.05) among treatments at 21 and 35days. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) (21 and 35days) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (35days) content in crop of OG treatment increased (p<.05). Oxidized glutathione (GSSG) (21days), LPO (21 and 35days) and MDA (21 and 35days) content in ileum of OG treatment increased (p<.05). The reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) (21days) and (GSH) (35days) in ileum of OG treatment decreased (p<.05). The present findings indicate that OG might be a stressor for broiler gut, which could induce oxidative stress both in crop and in ileum, and the diarrhoea as well. The growth performance of broiler was consequently depressed.

Effects of different acupuncture-moxibustion methods on the plasma SP content and expression of colonic SP mRNA of rats with functional constipation

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of different acupuncture-moxibustion methods on the plasma substance P (SP) content, and the expression of colonic SP mRNA of the rats with functional constipation. MethodsSixty healthy male SD rats were divided into six groups according to the random number table, including blank control group (group B, n=8), model group (group M, n=11), drug control group (group D, n=8), filiform needle group (group F, n=11), electroacupuncture group (group E, n=11) and moxibustion group (group MB, n=11). The rats in group B and group M accepted no intervention, gavage with cisapride suspension was conducted in group D, and electroacupuncture, filiform needling and moxibustion therapies were carried out in group E, group F and group MB for 6 days. After treatment, the stool quantity and fecal moisture content during 24 h of the rats were observed in each group, colon tissue structure and the acidic mucus in mucosa layer were observed, plasma SP content was detected and the expression of colonic SP mRNA was detected. ResultsCompared with group B, the stool quantity and fecal moisture content during 24 h of the rats in group M decreased significantly (P<0.01); compared with group M, the stool quantity during 24 h of the rats in each group increased (P<0.05 or 0.01), and the fecal moisture content during 24 h of the rats in each group also increased significantly except group MB (P<0.01); compared with group D, the fecal moisture content during 24 h of the rats in group MB decreased (P<0.01); according to the comparison among the groups with different acupuncture-moxibustion methods, there was no difference in the stool quantity during 24 h of the rats in each group (P>0.05), the fecal moisture contents during 24 h of the rats in group F and group E were higher than that of group MB (P<0.01), and there was no difference between group F and group E (P>0.05). HE staining of colon tissue of rats showed that the structure was normal and complete, and there was no difference among each group. PAS staining showed that the acidic mucus level of the rats in group M decreased significantly when compared with group B; compared with group M, the acidic mucus level of the rats in group D, fgroup F, group E and group MB increased in varying degrees. Compared with group B, the plasma SP content of the rats in group M decreased (P<0.05); compared with group M, the plasma SP contents of the rats in group F and group MB increased (P<0.01); the plasma SP contents of the rats in group F, group MB and group E were higher than that of group D (P<0.05 or 0.01); according to the comparison among the groups with different acupuncture-moxibustion methods, the plasma SP content of the rats in group F was higher than that of group MB and electro-acupuncture group (P<0.05), and there was no difference between group MB and group E. Compared with group B, the expression level of colonic SP mRNA of the rats in group M elevated (P<0.05); compared with group M, the expression level of colonic SP mRNA of the rats in the four intervention groups declined (P<0.05); compared with drug group D, there was no difference among group F, group E and group MB (P>0.1); according to the comparison among the groups with different intervention methods, the expression level of colonic SP mRNA of the rats in group MB was lower than that of group F (P<0.05). ConclusionThe different efficacy of different acupuncture-moxibustion methods in treatment of functional constipation may be related with the mechanism of regulation of plasma SP content and the expression level of colonic SP mRNA.