Pancreatic Amylase Activity Research Articles

The effects of enzyme supplementation on performance and digestive parameters of broilers fed corn-soybean diets

The study was performed to evaluate the effects of enzyme supplementation on performance and digestive parameters of broilers fed corn-soybean diets from 1 to 21 d of age. A total of 480 one-day-old Cobb broilers were allocated to 1 of 4 treatments, with 6 replicate pens per treatment and 20 birds per pen. The experiment consisted of a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with 2 dietary ME levels (high ME, energy 1, 12.13 MJ/kg or low ME, energy 2, 11.92 MJ/kg) and 2 levels of supplemental enzyme (including xylanase, 1,800 IU/g, β-glucanase, 500 IU/g, and α-amylase, 800 U/g; 0 or 0.1% of diet). Enzyme supplementation had no effect on average daily weight gain, feed intake, and feed:gain. However, enzyme supplementation decreased the relative weight of the pancreas (d 7 and 21) in broilers fed the high ME diet. Low dietary ME level increased pancreatic lipase (d 7, P = 0.015), trypsin (d 14, P = 0.01; d 21, P = 0.014), amylase (d 21, P = 0.027), and pepsin (d 7, P = 0.001; d 21, P = 0.042) activity, but reduced pancreatic lipase (d 14, P = 0.03; d 21, P = 0.004) and amylase (d 14, P = 0.027) activity. Enzyme supplementation resulted in an increase in pancreatic amylase (d 7, P = 0.023), trypsin (d 7, P = 0.02; d 21, P = 0.004), lipase (d 21, P = 0.001), pepsin (d 7, P = 0.001; d 14, P = 0.004; d 21, P = 0.001), and maltase (d 14, P = 0.011, in ileum) activity. Moreover, broilers fed low dietary ME and enzyme supplementation diets had an increase in pancreatic lipase (d 21, P = 0.001) and pepsin (d 7, P = 0.001) activity. Low ME diets reduced jejunum villus height and jejunum and ileum crypt depth (d 7, 21). However, enzyme supplementation, especially enzyme supplementation in low ME diets, increased jejunum and ileum villus height and villus surface area. This suggested enzyme supplemented with low ME diet might be more effective to improve the activity of digestive enzymes and the absorptive capacity of the small intestine.

Effects of a lipid-encapsulated zinc oxide supplement on growth performance and intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme activities in weanling pigs.

This study compared the effects of varying lipid content and dietary concentration of a lipid-encapsulated (LE) ZnO product to those of native ZnO and thereby to find insights into optimal lipid coating and dosage of the Zn supplement. A total of 192 21-d-old weanling pigs were allotted to 48 pens, after which each six pens received a ZnO-free basal diet supplemented with 125 ppm ZnO (100 ppm Zn; BASAL), 2,500 ppm Zn as native ZnO (HIGH), or 100 or 200 ppm Zn as LE ZnO (LE-100 or LE-250) containing 8%, 10%, or 12% lipid [LE-8%, LE-10%, or LE-12%, respectively; 2 × 3 factorial arrangement within the LE-ZnO diets (LE-ALL)] for 14 d. Forty pigs were killed at the end for histological and biochemical examinations. None of ADG, ADFI, gain:feed, and fecal consistency score differed between the LE-ALL and either of the BASAL and HIGH groups. Hepatic and serum Zn concentrations were greater (p <0.05) in the HIGH vs. LE-ALL group, but did not differ between LE-ALL and BASAL, between LE-100 and -250, or among LE-8%, -10%, and -12% groups. Villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), and the VH:CD ratio in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum did not differ between the LE-ALL and either of the BASAL and HIGH groups, except for a greater CD in the duodenum in the LE-ALL vs. HIGH group. Additionally, VH and CD in the duodenum and VH:CD in the jejunum were greater in the LE-250 vs. LE-100 group. Specific activities of sucrase, maltase, and leucine aminopeptidase in these intestinal regions and those of amylase and trypsin in the pancreas were not influenced by the lipid content or dietary concentration of LE ZnO and also did not differ between the LE-ALL and either of the BASAL and HIGH groups, except for a greater pancreatic amylase activity in the former vs. HIGH group. In conclusion, the present results indicate that the LE ZnO, regardless of its lipid percentage or supplementation level examined in this study, has no significant effect on growth performance, fecal consistency, or digestive enzyme activities of weanling pigs under the experimental conditions.

Pancreatic Effects of Diesel Exhaust Particles in Mice with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background/Aims: Epidemiologically, diabetics are more prone to the adverse health effects of particulate air pollution than healthy individuals. We recently demonstrated an increased cardiovascular and respiratory susceptibility to diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in mice with type 1 diabetes. However, the pancreatic effects of DEP in healthy and diabetic mice are unknown. Methods: Presently, we evaluated the pancreatic impact of DEP in healthy mice, and mice with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes. Four weeks following induction of diabetes, mice were intratracheally instilled (i.t.) with either DEP (0.4 mg/kg) or saline, and several histological and biochemical endpoints were measured 24 h thereafter. Results: Neither the histology nor the stain for apoptosis in the pancreatic islets and exocrine glands were affected by DEP. In diabetic mice exposed to saline, the islet cells showed cellular vacuolation and apoptotic islet cells (71.6 ± 2.6%). In diabetic mice exposed to DEP, a more marked decrease in the size and number of islet cells with cellular vacuolation along with a significant increase of apoptotic islet cells (79.1 ± 1.7 %, P<0.05) were observed. In diabetic mice, DEP increased significantly pancreatic amylase activity and markers of oxidative stress including 8-isoprostane, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione compared with either diabetic mice exposed to saline or non-diabetic mice exposed to DEP. Staining for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in healthy mice exposed to either saline or DEP showed no staining in either pancreatic islets cells or acini. In saline-treated diabetic mice, a mild cytoplasmic staining for iNOS in some pancreatic islet cells was observed. Notably, in diabetic mice exposed to DEP, a marked cytoplasmic staining for iNOS in most pancreatic islet cells and some acinar cells was seen. Conclusion: We conclude that DEP caused detrimental effects on the pancreas of diabetic mice, and that oxidative stress is responsible, at least partially, for the observed effects

A low-grade increase of serum pancreatic exocrine enzyme levels by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor in patients with type 2 diabetes

A potential adverse effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) on the pancreas remains controversial. We evaluated the DPP-4i effects on pancreatic amylase and lipase activity in patients with type 2 diabetes. These enzymes were slightly but significantly increased, suggesting DPP-4i cause a low-grade inflammatory change in the exocrine pancreas.

Effect of age and diet composition on activity of pancreatic enzymes in birds.

Digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas and intestinal epithelium cooperate closely during food hydrolysis. Therefore, activities of pancreatic and intestinal enzymes processing the same substrate can be hypothesized to change together in unison, as well as to be adjusted to the concentration of their substrate in the diet. However, our knowledge of ontogenetic and diet-related changes in the digestive enzymes of birds is limited mainly to intestinal enzymes; it is largely unknown whether they are accompanied by changes in activities of enzymes produced by the pancreas. Here, we analyzed age- and diet-related changes in activities of pancreatic enzymes in five passerine and galloanserine species, and compared them with simultaneous changes in activities of intestinal enzymes. Mass-specific activity of pancreatic amylase increased with age in young house sparrows but not in zebra finches, in agreement with changes in typical dietary starch content and activity of intestinal maltase. However, we found little evidence for the presence of adaptive, diet-related modulation of pancreatic enzymes in both passerine and galloanserine species, even though in several cases the same birds adaptively modulated activities of their intestinal enzymes. In general, diet-related changes in mass-specific activities of pancreatic and intestinal enzymes were not correlated. We conclude that activity of pancreatic enzymes in birds is under strong genetic control, which enables evolutionary adjustment to typical diet composition but is less adept for short term, diet-related flexibility.

Homeostatic reactions of the human body during exposure to 105-day isolation

Biochemical studies of blood (38 parameters) in the course of a 105-day isolation and confinement experiment were performed to assess the status of organs and tissues and some aspects of metabolism in six male volunteers. The results of the study showed that isolation was accompanied by a downward trend in the content of total protein, urea, and uric acid, as well as a decrease in the content of cholesterol and its fractions, whereas the concentration of triglycerides showed a compensatory rise. Creatinine phosphokinase activity increased at the expense of the muscular isozyme. The content of other substances that indirectly characterize the state of muscle tissue—creatinine, magnesium, and serum iron—also increased. Biochemical parameters characterizing the state of the myocardium (cardiac creatinine phosphokinase isozyme, α-hydroxybutyrate hydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase) remained unchanged or decreased. Changes characteristic of hypodynamia were observed. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase tended to decrease, and the activities of total and pancreatic lipase, amylase, and γ-glutamyltransferase also decreased. These changes normalized partly on day 8 of recovery. On the whole, the metabolic trends observed in the test subjects resemble the patterns observed in cosmonauts returning from spaceflights.

Inhibition of starch digestion by the green tea polyphenol, (−)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate

Green tea has been shown to ameliorate symptoms of metabolic syndrome in vivo. The effects could be due, in part, to modulation of postprandial blood glucose levels. We examined the effect of coadministration of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG, 100 mg/kg, i.g.) on blood glucose levels following oral administration of common corn starch (CCS), maltose, sucrose, or glucose to fasted CF-1 mice. We found that cotreatment with EGCG significantly reduced postprandial blood glucose levels after administration of CCS compared to control mice (50 and 20% reduction in peak blood glucose levels and blood glucose area under the curve, respectively). EGCG had no effect on postprandial blood glucose following administration of maltose or glucose, suggesting that EGCG may modulate amylase-mediated starch digestion. In vitro, EGCG noncompetitively inhibited pancreatic amylase activity by 34% at 20 μM. No significant change was induced in the expression of two small intestinal glucose transporters (GLUT2 and SGLT1). Our results suggest that EGCG acutely reduces postprandial blood glucose levels in mice when coadministered with CCS and this may be due in part to inhibition of α-amylase. The relatively low effective dose of EGCG makes a compelling case for studies in human subjects.

Hypoglycemic Effect of the Water Extract of Pu-erh Tea

The water extraction and composition of pu-erh tea, as well as the hypoglycemic effect of the water extract of pu-erh tea (WEPT) in vivo and in vitro, are reported to investigate its hypoglycemic effect on diabetes. High-performance liquid chromatography and colorimetric methods are used to analyze the tea catechins, caffeine, polyphenols, amino acids, and polysaccharides of the WEPT. The effect of the WEPT on glucose uptake by cultured HepG2 cells and the inhibition effect of rat intestinal sucrase, maltase, and porcine pancreatic amylase are determined in vitro. Then, the blood glucose and insulin levels of intragastrically administered WEPT on fasting and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) using type 2 diabetic db/db (BKS.Cg-m +/+ Lepr(db)/J) mice are determined in vivo. The results showed that the WEPT dose-dependently and significantly increased glucose uptake by HepG2 cells and inhibited rat intestinal sucrase, maltase, and porcine pancreatic amylase activity. The WEPT intragastrically given for 4 weeks suppressed the increase in blood insulin and glucose levels of db/db mice fasted overnight. In OGTT, the WEPT improved impaired glucose tolerance and ameliorated retarded insulin response at 60 and 120 min in db/db mice. These results suggest that the WEPT has beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetes and in amendment of insulin resistance.

Quality assessment and anti-obesity activity of Stellaria media (Linn.) Vill

BackgroundObesity is recognized as a social problem, associated with serious health risks and increased mortality. Numerous trials have been conducted to find and develop new anti-obesity drugs through herbal sources to minimize side effects associated with the present anti-obesity drugs. The present study was designed to evaluate the quality control parameters, quantitative phytochemical analysis (total phenolic, total flavonoids and total saponin content), and the anti-obesity effect of lyophilized juice (LJ) of Stellaria media (Linn.) Vill. by employing in vitro and in vivo models.MethodsIn vitro studies were performed to evaluate the inhibitory activity of LJ on pancreatic amylase and lipase. The in vivo pancreatic lipase activity was evaluated by measurement of plasma triacylglycerol levels after oral administration of lipid emulsion to swiss albino mice. Furthermore, the anti-obesity effect of LJ was assessed at two doses, 400 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg body weight in mice fed a high-fat-diet with or without LJ for 6 weeks.ResultsThe LJ inhibited pancreatic amylase and lipase activity in vitro and elevated plasma triacylglycerol level in mice. LJ suppressed the increase in body weight, retroperitoneal adipose tissue, liver weights and serum parameters viz., total cholesterol, total triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol level at the dose of 900 mg/kg body weight of the mice fed with high fat diet. The total phenolic, flavonoid and saponin contents were found to be 0.26 mg/g, 1.4 mg/g and 1.19 μg/g respectively of LJ.ConclusionThe anti-obesity effects of LJ in high-fat-diet fed mice may be partly mediated through delaying the intestinal absorption of dietary fat and carbohydrate by inhibiting digestive enzymes.

Assessment of Antiobesity Potential of Achyranthes aspera Linn. Seed.

The present study was designed to evaluate the quality control parameters, quantitative phytochemical analysis (total phenols, total flavonoids, and total saponin content), and the antiobesity effect of ethanol extract of Achyranthes aspera Linn. seed (EAA) by employing in vitro and in vivo models. In in vitro study, the inhibitory activity of EAA on pancreatic amylase and lipase was measured. The in vivo pancreatic lipase activity was evaluated by measurement of plasma triacylglycerol levels after oral administration of EAA along with lipid emulsion to Swiss albino mice. The EAA inhibited pancreatic amylase and lipase activity in vitro and elevations of plasma triacylglycerol level in mice. Furthermore, the antiobesity effect of EAA (900 mg/kg) was assessed in mice fed a high-fat diet with or without EAA for 6 weeks. EAA significantly suppressed the increase in body, retroperitoneal adipose tissue, liver weights, and serum parameters, namely; total cholesterol, total triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol level. The anti obesity effects of EAA in high-fat-diet-treated mice may be partly mediated through delaying the intestinal absorption of dietary fat by inhibiting pancreatic amylase and lipase activity. Histopathological effects of EAA on the liver of mice were also assessed.

Induced and constitutive responses of digestive enzymes to plant toxins in an herbivorous mammal

Many plants produce plant secondary compounds (PSCs) that bind and inhibit the digestive enzymes of herbivores, thus limiting digestibility for the herbivore. Herbivorous insects employ several physiological responses to overcome the anti-nutritive effects of PSCs. However, studies in vertebrates have not shown such responses, perhaps stemming from the fact that previously studied vertebrates were not herbivorous. The responses of the digestive system to dietary PSCs in populations of Bryant's woodrat (Neotoma bryanti) that vary in their ecological and evolutionary experience with the PSCs in creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) were compared. Individuals from naïve and experienced populations were fed diets with and without added creosote resin. Animals fed diets with creosote resin had higher activities of pancreatic amylase, as well as luminal amylase and chymotrypsin, regardless of prior experience with creosote. The experienced population showed constitutively higher activities of intestinal maltase and sucrase. Additionally, the naïve population produced an aminopeptidase-N enzyme that was less inhibited by creosote resin when feeding on the creosote resin diet, whereas the experienced population constitutively expressed this form of aminopeptidase-N. Thus, the digestive system of an herbivorous vertebrate responds significantly to dietary PSCs, which may be important for allowing herbivorous vertebrates to feed on PSC-rich diets.

Fat digestion and absorption in spice-pretreated rats.

A few common spices are known to stimulate secretion of bile with higher amount of bile acids which play a major role in digestion and absorption of dietary lipids. It would be appropriate to verify if these spices enable efficient digestion and absorption during high-fat intake. In this context, dietary ginger (0.05%), piperine (0.02%), capsaicin (0.015%), and curcumin (0.5%) were examined for their influence on bile secretion, digestive enzymes of pancreas and absorption of dietary fat in high-fat (30%) fed Wistar rats for 8 weeks. These spices enhanced the activity of pancreatic lipase, amylase, trypsin and chymotrypsin by 22-57%, 32-51%, 63-81% and 12-38%, respectively. Dietary intake of spices along with high-fat enhanced fat absorption. These dietary spices increased bile secretion with higher bile acid content. Stimulation of lipid mobilisation from adipose tissue was suggested by the decrease in perirenal adipose tissue weight by dietary capsaicin and piperine. This was also accompanied by prevention of the accumulation of triglyceride in liver and serum in high-fat fed rats. Activities of key lipogenic enzymes in liver were reduced which was accompanied by an increased activity of hormone-sensitive lipase. Thus, dietary ginger and other spice compounds enhance fat digestion and absorption in high-fat fed situation through enhanced secretion of bile salts and a stimulation of the activity pancreatic lipase. At the same time, the energy expenditure is facilitated by these spices to prevent the accumulation of absorbed fat.

Is the pancreas affected in patients with septic shock? — a prospective study

Hyperamylasemia can be observed anecdotally during the course of severe sepsis or septic shock. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of pancreatic involvement in patients with septic shock using serum pancreatic enzyme determinations and imaging techniques in 21 consecutive patients with septic shock and 21 healthy subjects as controls. The serum activity of pancreatic amylase and lipase was assayed initially in all subjects and 24 and 48 hours after the initial observation in the 21 patients with septic shock. All patients also underwent radiological examination to detect pancreatic abnormalities. The serum activity of pancreatic amylase was significantly higher in the 21 patients with septic shock than in the 21 control subjects during the study period, while the serum activity of lipase was similar to that of the control subjects. Amylase and lipase serum activity did not significantly changed throughout the study period in the 21 patients with septic shock. None of the patients with pancreatic hyperenzymemia had clinical signs or morphological alterations compatible with acute pancreatitis. The presence of pancreatic hyperenzymemia in septic shock patients is not a biochemical manifestation of acute pancreatic damage, and the management of these patients should be dependent on the clinical situation and not merely the biochemical results.

판크레아틴 소화효소의 활성화 조건 연구

돼지 췌장에서 추출한 판크레아틴 효소들의 활성화 조건에 대해 조사하였다. 십이지장의 첨가는 췌장의 단백질분해효소와 지방분해효소의 활성화를 유도하였다. 췌장액에 10% 십이지장을 첨가하여 $30^{\circ}C$ 에서 90분간 반응시키거나 $25^{\circ}C$ 에서 4시간 반응시켰을때 췌장의 단백질분해효소와 지방분해효소의 활성화는 정점에 도달하였고, 전분분해효소의 활성에는 거의 영향을 주지 않았다. 2 $5^{\circ}C$ 에서 4시간의 효소활성화, 원심분리, 아세톤침전 및 동결건조의 연속 공정으로 제조한 판크레아틴 효소들의 비활성도는 단백질분해효소 136 U/mg, 지방분해효소 170 U/mg 및 전분분해효소 400 U/mg으로 나타났다. 확립된 공정에 의해 제조된 판크레아틴은 USP 기준의 5.4배의 단백질분해효소, 58배의 지방분해효소 및 16배의 전분분해효소 활성을 보유한 고활성의 제품이었다. 【This study investigated the activation conditions of pancreatic enzymes from porcine pancreas. Duodenum induced the activation of pancreatic protease and lipase in pancreas. When 10% duodenum was added to pancreatic juice and the mixture was incubated at $30^{\circ}C$ for 90 min or at $25^{\circ}C$ for 4 hrs, the activities of pancreatic protese and lipase reached the peak. When the pancreatin was prepared by sequential process of enzymatic activation at $25^{\circ}C$ for 4 hrs, centrifugation, acetone precipitation and freeze-drying, the specific activities of pancreatic protease, lipase and amylase were 136, 116 and 400 U/mg-protein, respectively. The protease, lipase and amylase activities of the prepared pancreatin were 5.4, 58.0 and 16.0 times higher than those of USP standard, respectively.】

Ghrelin, insulin and pancreatic activity in the peri-weaning period of goat kids

Two groups of 3-day-old Saanen goat kids (MILK and WMIX) were studied in order to investigate the effect of weaning on plasma ghrelin and insulin and on pancreatic activity. MILK kids received goat milk to age 50 days; WMIX kids were initially fed milk but started weaning at 30 days and were completely weaned by 48 days. Dry matter intake and body weights were recorded, and plasma samples were analysed for metabolites, ghrelin, insulin, leptin and α-amylase. At 50 days, all the animals were slaughtered, pancreas samples were analysed for α-amylase, zymogen, DNA and ribosomal capacity (RNA/zymogen). Seven days after the beginning of the weaning program, dry matter intake in the WMIX group began to decrease in relation to the MILK group. Nonetheless, body weight did not differ throughout the study period. Weaning significantly decreased plasma levels of glucose, amino acids, urea and insulin, but increased creatinine and ghrelin. In weaning kids ghrelin secretion may help minimize the negative consequences of the new diet on dry matter intake. Pancreatic zymogen and ribosomal capacity did not differ between the groups, whereas pancreatic amylase activity was over three times higher in MILK than WMIX kids even though the former had no dietary starch. This finding could be a consequence of lower pancreatic secretion of amylase in the MILK group due to the lack of dietary starch, resulting in pancreatic accumulation, but could also be due to higher plasma insulin in the MILK group, suggesting a role for insulin in the functional development of the pancreas in weaning goats.

L-Arginine–induced acute pancreatitis results in mild lung inflammation without altered respiratory mechanics

ABSTRACTAcute lung injury is a common complication of acute pancreatitis (AP) and contributes to the majority of AP-associated deaths. Although some aspects of AP-induced lung inflammation have been demonstrated, investigation of resultant changes in lung function is limited. The aim of this study was to characterize acute lung injury in L-arginine–induced AP. Seven groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 4–10/group) received 2 intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of L-arginine (250 mg/100 g) at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, or 72 hours before measurement of lung impedance mechanics. Control rats (n = 10) received i.p. saline. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), plasma, and pancreatic and lung tissue were collected to determine pancreatic and lung measures of acute inflammation. AP developed between 6 and 36 hours, as indicated by increased pancreatic abnormal acinar cells, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, edema, and plasma amylase activity, before beginning to resolve by 72 hours. In the lung, MPO activity increased (2.4-fold) from 12 hours, followed by a modest increase in lung edema at 48 hours, with increased BAL cell count (2.5-fold) up to 72 hours (P < .05). In contrast, no significant changes in lung mechanics were evident over the same period. Despite measurable lung inflammation, no significant deterioration in respiratory function resulted from L-arginine–induced AP.

The effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract on the weight of some organs, liver, and pancreatic digestive enzyme activity in breeder hens fed diets contaminated with aflatoxins

The effects of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract on some organ, liver, and pancreatic digestive enzymes in breeder hens fed on aflatoxin (AF)-contaminated feed were investigated. Forty-eight 58-wk-old Ross 308 breeder hens were used. The hens were fed diets containing 0 or 100 µg of AF/kg and 0 or 1 g of S. cerevisiae/kg in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Although serum alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly higher, serum alkaline aminotransferase (P=0.068) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (P=0.067) levels tended to increase (P<0.05) in hens fed the AF-contaminated diet than those of hens fed the uncontaminated diet. Both AF and S. cerevisiae extract increased (P<0.001) pancreatic amylase activity, but the effect was not additive, resulting in an AF×S. cerevisiae extract interaction (P<0.001). α-Amylase activity in duodenum was lower (P<0.001) in hens fed the AF-contaminated diet. Duodenum α-amylase activity was higher (P=0.024), but jejunum α-amylase activity was lower in S. cerevisiae extract-supplemented hens than that of nonsupplemented hens. There was a significant interaction between AF and S. cerevisiae extract on pancreatic and duodenal lipase activity. Pancreatic lipase activity decreased in hens fed the AF-contaminated diet. However, S. cerevisiae supplementation extract minimized this effect of AF on pancreatic lipase activity. Duodenal lipase activity was decreased in hens fed the AF-contaminated diet without S. cerevisiae extract supplementation. However, there were not any significant differences between hens fed the AF-contaminated diet and hens fed the uncontaminated diet after S. cerevisiae extract supplementation. Pancreatic trypsin activity was higher (P=0.044) in hens fed the AF-contaminated diet than that of hens fed the uncontaminated diet. There was a significant interaction between AF and S. cerevisiae extract on pancreatic chymotrypsin activity. It was increased in hens fed the AF-contaminated diet without S. cerevisiae extract supplementation. However, S. cerevisiae extract supplementation counteracted this negative effect of AF on pancreatic chymotrypsin activity. The treatments did not result in any change in duodenal chymotrypsin activity, but S. cerevisiae supplementation decreased (P<0.05) jejunal chymotrypsin activity. In conclusion, our results showed that addition of 1 g/kg of S. cerevisiae extract reduces the toxic effects of AF on pancreatic lipase and chymotrypsin activity. Therefore, it may be useful to supplement feedstuff with S. cerevisiae extract to reduce the effects of AF in laying breeder hens.

Effect of peanut skin phenolics on pancreatic amylase activity and fructose‐mediated albumin glycation

Peanut skins, a by‐product of the peanut industry, have not been incorporated into the human food supply in the United States. This high protein product contains a high concentration of polyphenolics; the majority of the phenolics are proanthocyanidins or condensed tannins, but lower molecular weight phenolics (catechin and epicatechin) are also present. This present study was designed to examine the bioactivity of peanut skin phenolics on two biological processes relevant to the development of diabetes and its complications. Extracts of peanut skins inhibited porcine pancreatic α‐amylase by 90% at approximately 2 μg peanut skin phenolics/ml. The 90% level of inhibition of fructose‐mediated glycation of albumin was observed at approximately 20 μg peanut phenolics/ml. The difference in the degree of inhibition between these two biological processes may well be due to the differences in the mechanism of inhibition. Peanut skin proanthocyanidins probably inhibit α‐amylase activity by binding directly to the enzyme. However, since there is 10 mg albumin/ml in the protein glycation assay, the inhibition observed with peanut skins probably reflects its intrinsic antioxidant and/or metal‐ion chelating activity.Support provided by the State of Georgia Food Industry Partnership.

Pancreatic Injury in Rabbits with Acute Renal Failure

Background. Acute renal failure (ARF) is a common critical disorder. To decrease the mortality, it is important to prevent ARF from invading other organs in clinical setting. It is not known whether there is a dysfunction in pancreas during the pathogenesis of ARF. This study aimed to investigate the changes of morphology and function on pancreas in ARF rabbits. Methods. Sixty rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. The ARF model of groups 1 and 2 rabbits was established by hypodermic injection of 1% HgCl2 (1.3 mL/kg) and intramuscular injection of 50% glyceritum (10 mL/kg), respectively. The control groups 1 and 2 were injected with same volume of normal saline. After 24 hours, urea and creatinine contents and pancreatic amylase (AMY) activities in serum were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer; the insulin levels were measured with radioimmunoassay method. Moreover, morphological alterations were examined by light microscopy; free radicals, nitric oxide (NO), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in pancreas homogenate were determined. Results. Morphological study showed that there were vacuolar degeneration and necrosis in pancreas of ARF for both groups 1 and 2. Compared with corresponding control group, the AMY activity was significantly elevated, whereas the INS values were decreased significantly in ARF groups 1 and 2. Malonaldehyde, NO, and NOS in pancreas homogenate were significantly increased, and superoxide dismutase activity was decreased. Conclusion. These data suggested that there were morphological damage of pancreas and disturbance of pancreatic secretion function in rabbits with ARF. Free radicals-injury and NO excessive release may explain the observed dysfunction.

Effects of zinc levels on activities of gastrointestinal enzymes in growing rats

The present study investigated the effect of different zinc (Zn) levels on activities of gastrointestinal digestive enzymes of growing rats. Four diets including Zn-adequate (ZA; 46 mg/kg, control), Zn-deficient (ZD; 3 mg/kg), high Zn supply (ZH; 234 mg/kg) and pair-fed in which animals received the ZA diet at restricted amounts reflecting feed intake of the ZD group were fed to rats for 5 weeks. Dietary Zn was supplemented with ZnO. The results showed that Zn deficiency resulted in decreases in body weight, while ZH supply stimulated growth. The activities of sucrase, lactase and lipase were unaffected by dietary Zn levels. Maltase activity, however, was reduced in ZD group and elevated in ZH group. Amylase and protease activities were depressed by zinc deficiency. However, rats fed the Zn-repletion diet displayed higher activity of pepsin, pancreatic amylase and protease. In particular, ZH supply did have no effect on intestinal hydrolases activities. The present study suggested that zinc deficiency impaired the activities of digestive enzymes and growth of animals. However, ZH supply might improve the digestion of nutrients via increasing activities of gastrointestinal hydrolase and probably enhanced animal health.