Pancreatic Enzyme Activities Research Articles

Amylase quantification in the terminal Ileum following formation of an Ileostomy

Amylase is elevated in the foregut and has been used to confirm anastomotic integrity after pancreatic surgery. The physiological activity of pancreatic enzymes in the ileum has been studied in healthy volunteers but not quantitated with the simple and readily available amylase measurements employed with serum tests. We aim to quantitate the levels of amylase in the terminal ileum. This was a prospective, non-randomised, non-blinded, consecutive cohort study conducted at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Consecutive patients undergoing routine surgery with an ileostomy were invited to participate in the study. Ileostomy effluent was collected and analysed daily for the first 5 post-operative days. This validation cohort included 8 males and 3 females, with a mean age of 49 years. Median daily amylase levels ranged from 4470 U/L to 23,000 U/L, with no specimens falling within the laboratory serum reference range of 40 to 130 U/L. Two specimens were not available on day one post-operative due to complete ileus. The sample size of 11 patients is small but was considered sufficient given that 55 effluent specimens were anticipated for analysis. Amylase levels remain highly elevated as the enzyme transits through the length of the small intestine and measured in the terminal ileum, and can be readily quantitated by the existing testing methodology routinely available.

Hyperoside from Z. bungeanum leaves restores insulin secretion and mitochondrial function by regulating pancreatic cellular redox status in diabetic mice

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by peripheral insulin resistance and insufficient insulin secretion caused by pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of caspases in mitochondria inhibit insulin secretion and promote apoptosis of pancreatic β-cells. Studies have demonstrated that positive correlation between the consumption of flavonoid-rich diets and diabetes prevention. Zanthoxylum bungeanum leaves have been used as food for a long time and are rich in flavonoids with strong radical scavenging abilities. We and others have identified hyperoside as the major bioactive component of total flavonoids exacted from Zanthoxylum bungeanum leaves. We hypothesize that hyperoside from Z. bungeanum leaves (HZL) may prevent T2DM by inhibiting excessive ROS formation and reducing pancreatic β-cells apoptosis. In current study, HZL was administered to high fat diet and alloxan-induced diabetic mice, and appeared to significantly ameliorate the damage of glucose metabolism and insulin secretion as well as restore the structural integrity of pancreas, and inhibit β-cell apoptosis. Pancreatic antioxidant enzyme activities were also restored by HZL supplementation. In cultured MIN6 cells, which produce and secret insulin, HZL treatment restored insulin secretion through inhibiting the expression of TXNIP and lowering intracellular calcium concentration. These observations mechanistically linked the beneficial effects of HZL with the regulation on cellular redox status and mitochondrial function. Taken together, our findings suggest that HZL has protective effect on pancreatic β-cell function and may be a beneficial nutritional supplementation for prevention and adjuvant therapy of T2DM.

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction in the post-cholecystectomy period

The persistent post-cholecystectomy (CE) symptoms can be divided into four groups: 1) surgical errors; 2) recurrence of cholelithiasis; 3) functional disorders due to removal of the gallbladder (transient or persistent); 4) pathology not associated with CE. Biliary pain persists in 20–40% of patients after CE, in most cases caused by sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD). SOD is subdivided into biliary, pancreatic, two-duct types, as well as pancreatobiliary reflux. The SOD is rooted in the increased pressure in the sphincter, which leads to the increased intraductal pressure and, as a result, to the occurrence of biliary or pancreatic pain. In addition, the direct contractile effects of cholecystokinin on smooth muscles of the biliary tract change due to mechanical disturbance of innervation. Hypertension of the pancreatic part of the sphincter of Oddi can cause not only the occurrence of functional pain of the pancreatic type, but also the development of recurrent pancreatitis. SOD is characterized by typical anamnestic data that are common to the functional pathology of the digestive system, such as duration of symptoms, absence of organic pathology, multiple complaints, a non-progressive course, the provoking role of psychoemotional factors. From a practical standpoint, the clinical criteria for SOD can be: 1) an attack of biliary or pancreatic pain; 2) a transient increase in the activity of hepatic or pancreatic enzymes; 3) transient expansion of the common bile or major pancreatic duct. If it is difficult to differentiate diagnosis, endoscopic ultrasonography is advisable. Antispasmodics and ursodeoxycholic acid form the basis of the treatment, especially when biliary sludge and microlithiasis are detected. There must be strong arguments for the surgical treatment.

Influence of ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation on pancreatic digestive enzyme activity in finishing steers

Sixty-nine finishing steers were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: supplementation to provide 0 or 267 mg·d−1 of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) for 42 d. Twelve steers were slaughtered for tissue and blood collection. Final body weight (BW) tended to be greater with RAC supplementation. Ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation decreased liver mass as a percentage of BW. Pancreatic protein concentration, digestive enzyme activities, serum glucose, and insulin concentrations were not influenced by RAC supplementation. Ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation decreased the pancreatic:α-amylase:trypsin and serum urea nitrogen concentrations. These data suggest that RAC may influence pancreatic exocrine function in cattle.

Influence of maternal nutrient restriction and rumen-protected arginine supplementation on post-ruminal digestive enzyme activity of lamb offspring

To determine the influence of maternal nutrient restriction and rumen-protected arginine supplementation on post-ruminal digestive enzyme activity in lambs, 31 multiparous, Rambouillet ewes were allocated to one of three dietary treatments at 54 d of gestation. Dietary treatments were 100% of nutrient requirements (control, CON; n = 11), 60% of control (restricted, RES; n = 10), or RES plus 180 mg rumen-protected arginine•kg BW-1•d-1 (RES-ARG; n = 10). Immediately after parturition, lambs were removed from dams and reared independently. Milk-replacer and alfalfa hay + creep feed were offered for ad libitum intake. At day 54 of age, lambs were slaughtered and the pancreas and small intestine were collected. Pancreatic (α-amylase and trypsin) and jejunal (maltase, glucoamylase, sucrase, isomaltase, and lactase) digestive enzyme activities were assayed. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS for effects of treatment. Contrast statements were used to determine differences between means for effects of restriction (CON vs. RES and RES-ARG) and rumen-protected arginine supplementation (RES vs. RES-ARG). There was no influence (P ≥ 0.15) of maternal nutrient restriction or rumen-protected arginine supplementation on pancreatic or jejunal protein concentrations. No treatment effects were observed (P ≥ 0.12) for enzymes involved in starch digestion including pancreatic α-amylase and jejunal maltase, glucoamylase, and isomaltase. Sucrase activity was undetected in the jejunum of lambs across all treatments. Maternal nutrient restriction tended to increase (P = 0.08) pancreatic trypsin activity per gram protein in lambs. Lactase activity per gram protein in the jejunum of lambs tended to decrease (P = 0.09) with maternal nutrient restriction. Rumen-protected arginine supplementation to gestating ewes did not influence (P ≥ 0.19) digestive enzyme activities of lamb offspring. These data suggest that maternal nutrient restriction and rumen-protected arginine supplementation have minimal effects on digestive enzyme activity in offspring.

Anti-obesity effect of Carica papaya in high-fat diet fed rats.

The present study evaluated the anti-obesity properties of papaya in high-fat (HF) diet fed rats. In the in vitro portion of the present study, the effects of papaya juice on pancreatic lipase enzyme activity was assessed, and it was shown that papaya exhibited an inhibitory effect on these enzymes. In the in vivo portion of the study, papaya was found to reduce the expression levels of markers of obesity, inflammation and oxidative stress in rats. Obesity was induced in 28 male Sprague Dawley rats by feeding them a HF diet for 12 weeks. The anti-obesity effects of papaya was evaluated by feeding papaya juice orally in with two experimental doses: 0.5 ml (HFL) and 1.0 ml (HFH) per 100 g of body weight. The HF diet resulted in significant increases in the body weight, serum triglyceride, serum total cholesterol and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, as well as a decrease in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The HF diet also induced adipocyte hypertrophy, lipid accumulation and increased malondialdehyde levels. Papaya reversed all of these changes and significantly increased serum superoxide dismutase and decreased serum cytokine (interleukin-6) levels. The protein expression of levels PPARγ in the HF group was significantly increased compared with the other groups, but was decreased significantly in the HFH group. Histological observations of epididymal adipose tissue provided evidence for the lipid-lowering effects of papaya. The results of the present study demonstrate that papaya has the potential to reduce the risk of obesity associated with adiposity, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation.

Molecular networking aided metabolomic profiling of beet leaves using three extraction solvents and in relation to its anti-obesity effects

In the present study, the efficiency of three different solvents (H2O, acidified H2O, and 70% Methanol) for metabolites extraction from the leaves of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. rubra) was investigated along with their inhibitory activity on pancreatic α-amylase and lipase for obesity management. The metabolic profile of the three extracts was analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometric (ESI-HRMS-MS). Mass spectrometry-based molecular networking was employed to aid in metabolites annotation and for the visual investigation of the known metabolites and their analogues. The study led to the tentative identification of 45 metabolites including amino acids, purine derivatives, phenolic acids, flavonoids, fatty acids, and an alkaloid, articulating 24 compounds as a first time report from beet leaves along with 2 new putatively identified compounds: a flavone feruloyl conjugate (39) and a malonylated acacetin diglycoside (40). The three extracting systems exhibited comparable efficiency for pulling out the secondary metabolites from the beet leaves. The in vitro study supported this finding and demonstrated that the three extracts inhibited the activity of both pancreatic α-amylase and lipase enzymes with no significant difference observed regarding the percentage of the inhibition of the enzymes. Conclusively, the extraction protocol has a minimal effect on the anti-obesity properties of beet leaves.

Dilution of digestive fish proteases with protein-free blocking reagents prevents loss of catalytic activity during microquantification

The activity of proteases may be lost during microquantification because of their nonspecific binding to tubes and pipette tips. In this study, the effects of blocking reagents (blockers) in dilutions of digestive proteases of yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata, were compared. EzBlock Chemi (EBC; protein free), Western BLoT Blocking Buffer (WBB; protein free), casein-based blocker, and bovine serum albumin were evaluated by the measurement of trypsin, chymotrypsin, and aminopeptidase activities using fluorogenic substrates. Protease activities were linear in extracts of pyloric caeca at dilution rates of up to at least 1/6400 with the four blockers. However, the activities of pancreatic enzymes differed, and the highest levels were observed with EBC and WBB. Extracts diluted with EBC and WBB were incubated for up to 24 h at 25 °C. Pancreatic enzyme activities increased with time in extracts diluted with EBC, but for those diluted with WBB there was no clear trend. The activities of chymotrypsin and aminopeptidase in whole-body extracts of individual yellowtail larvae extracted with EBC were significantly higher than in those extracted with 150 mM NaCl, suggesting that EBC inhibits the loss of enzyme activity that may otherwise occur during extraction. Thus, EBC is considered to be the most effective diluent for the microquantification of proteases amongst the four blockers tested.

Effect of Different Dietary Inclusion Levels of Sunflower Meal and Multi-Enzyme Supplementation on Performance, Meat Yield, Ileum Histomorphology, and Pancreatic Enzyme Activities in Growing Quails.

Simple SummaryIn the poultry industry, where the cost of feed constitutes most of the expenses, sudden changes in feed prices make it a challenge for nutritionists to maintain the yield and health of animals while managing the diet costs. It is the first solution that comes to mind to use inexpensive raw materials while preparing diets in practical conditions. In addition, feeds used in diets should be digestible by poultry. In the poultry digestive system, feeds such as sunflower meals are difficult to digest due to containing high cellulose because there is no cellulase secretion in the digestive system. The use of multi-enzyme which enhanced the digestibility of nutrients and decreased antinutritional compounds such as cellulose and nonstarch polysaccharides in diets with sunflower meal can positively affect performance and the profitability of the growers.This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary sunflower meal (SFM) and multi-enzyme levels on performance, carcass traits, intestinal histomorphology and pancreatic enzyme production in quails. Three hundred and twenty, 1-day-old quail chicks were divided into 8 groups with 4 replicates consisting of 10 birds each in the group. The experiment was randomized design consisting of a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, with four levels of SFM (0%, 10%, 15%, or 20%) and two levels of multi-enzyme (0.0 or 1.0 g/kg) inclusion in the diet. The body weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were negatively influenced by the 15% and 20% SFM (p < 0.01) but were not affected by the 10% SFM for 6 week age. The relative gizzard (p < 0.05) weights significantly increased with 20% SFM, but the relative breast weight decreased (p < 0.01). The relative liver weight increased by the addition of enzymes in the diet (p < 0.05). The villus width (p < 0.01) and villus surface area (p < 0.05) of ileum increased linearly with SFM, whereas the villus height (p < 0.01), villus height: crypt depth (p < 0.01) and tunica muscularis thickness (p < 0.01) decreased linearly with SFM. Consequently, it is possible to say that the birds with the least absorptive same weight are the most efficient. The addition of multi-enzyme increased villus height and crypt depth but decreased tunica muscularis thickness of ileum (p < 0.01). Chymotrypsin activity in the pancreas decreased linearly with SFM (p < 0.01). Amylase activity in the pancreas decreased significantly with the addition of the multi-enzyme (p < 0.05). As a result of the study, SFM can be used at a 10% level in growing quail diets with beneficial effects on the absorption surface area. The effects of enzyme supplementation on parameters measured were less pronounced than the SFM inclusion level that higher villus height and lower tunica muscularis thickness were determined in multi-enzyme-fed birds compared to those untreated counterparts.

Protective effects and mechanisms of bilirubin nanomedicine against acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a sudden inflammatory reaction, caused by the activation of pancreatic enzymes in the pancreas, and in severe cases can lead to systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure. Oxidative stress contributed to the further deterioration of inflammation and played an important role in AP development. Bilirubin has been found to exert antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects in a series of diseases accompanied by a high level of oxidative stress. However, the therapeutic effects of bilirubin for AP management have not yet been demonstrated. Additionally, the poor solubility and potential toxicity of bilirubin also limit its application. Thus, we developed bilirubin encapsulated silk fibrin nanoparticles (BRSNPs) to study the protective effects and mechanisms of bilirubin nanomedicine for the treatment of AP. BRSNPs could selectively delivery to the inflammatory lesion of the pancreas and release bilirubin in an enzyme-responsive manner. In the model of AP caused by L-Arginine hyperstimulation, BRSNPs exerted strong therapeutic effects against AP by the reduction of oxidative stress, decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and impaired recruitment of macrophages and neutrophils. The mechanism study indicated that BRSNPs protected acinar cells against extensive oxidative damage and inflammation through inhibiting NF-κB pathway and activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Collectively, for the first time, this study demonstrated that bilirubin nanomedicine, BRSNPs, are effective in alleviating experimental acute pancreatitis, and the mechanisms are associated with its inhibition of NF-κB regulated pro-inflammatory signaling and activation of Nrf2-regulated cytoprotective protein expression.

Effects of incubation and chick rearing on intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities, and mRNA expression of nutrient transporter genes in the pigeon (Columba livia) under artificial farming conditions

The present study investigated the changes in morphology, enzyme activities in the pancreas and mucosa, and nutrient transporter gene expression in the duodenum and jejunum in male and female pigeons during the incubation and chick-rearing periods. Forty-two pairs of White King pigeons with 2 fertile eggs per pair were randomly divided into 7 groups by different breeding stages. The crypt depth of the duodenum and jejunum reached the peak at day 1 (R1) and day 7 (R7) of chick rearing, respectively. The jejunum surface area increased to a maximum value at R1. Amylase activity in the pancreas decreased to the lowest value at R1, whereas trypsin and lipase activities peaked at 17 D of incubation (I17) and R7, respectively. In male pigeons, mucosal Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the duodenum and jejunum was the highest at R15 and it was at I17 in female pigeons. Jejunum sucrose activity in female pigeons was higher at I4 than that at I17 (P < 0.05). The gene expression of FAT/CD36 and I-FABP in the duodenum gradually increased and then declined in the late chick-rearing period. SGLT1 in the jejunum decreased to a lower level at I17 and R25 in male pigeons (P < 0.05). GLUT2 expression in female duodenum and male jejunum decreased to a lower value at I17 compared with that at R15 (P < 0.05). In the late of incubation (from I10 to I17), expression of duodenum CAT1, B0AT1, and PepT1 and jejunum CAT1, ASCT1, and PepT1 in female pigeons was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), whereas opposite results were found in male jejunum CAT1 and duodenum ASCT1. In conclusion, variations of intestinal morphology, activities of pancreatic and mucosal enzymes, and gene expression of nutrient transporters during incubation and chick-rearing periods, underlying potential changes of digestive and absorptive function and intestinal adaptation with sexual effects, may represent a complicated response to stimuli of different breeding stages.

Replacement of soybean oil by Hermetia illucens fat in turkey nutrition: effect on performance, digestibility, microbial community, immune and physiological status and final product quality

ABSTRACT 1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of partial (50%) or total replacement of soybean oil (SO) by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) fat on the growth performance, coefficients of apparent nutrient digestibility, selected internal organ weights and length, pancreatic enzyme activity and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microecology modulation, as well as microbiota activity, physiological and immunological responses in young turkey poults. 2. A total of 216, seven day old female turkeys (B.U.T 6) were randomly distributed to three dietary treatments using six replicate pens per group with 12 birds per pen. The following design of the trial was applied: SO 100% soybean oil; BSFL50 a 50/50 combination of SO and BSFL fat; or 100% BSFL fat (total replacement of SO). 3. The use of BSFL fat did not affect the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, GIT morphology, or quality of the breast and thigh muscles. However, reduced trypsin activity was noticed in the BSFL100 group, but this had no effect on digestibility. Total replacement of SO reduced proliferation of potentially pathogenic bacteria, i.e., Enterobacteriaceae spp., as well as decreasing levels of IL-6, while partial substitution lowered the TNF-α concentration. 4. The replacement of commonly used SO by BSFL fat can be successfully applied in young turkey poult nutrition. BSFL fat may be considered an antimicrobial agent and support immune responses.

Optimal Background Color for Head-Starting Northern River Terrapins (Batagur baska Gray, 1831).

Simple SummarySubstrate color is an important physical condition affecting the lifestyle of reared animals. However, no prior data are available regarding northern river terrapins. In this study, the terrapins were reared in five types of colored tanks (transparent, green, red, blue, and black) for twelve weeks. Based on parameters assessing survival, growth, feed utilization, and health, the blue background is more suitable for rearing terrapins relative to other colored tanks. The findings from the current study could be applied to wall, pond, or aquaria decoration to support the head-starting programs of northern river terrapins before release to natural habitat, as well as in public displays, such as aquaria and zoos. Background color has significant effects on the lifestyles of various animal species. In this study, the effects of wall background color on growth, feed utilization, specific activity of gastric and pancreatic enzymes in fecal samples, fecal thermal properties, carapace elemental profile, and hematological parameters were investigated in northern river terrapin (Batagur baska Gray, 1831) in order to optimize the head-starting conditions. The terrapins (70.13 ± 0.04 g initial weight) were completely randomized into five types of colored tanks (transparent, green, red, blue, and black) and reared for twelve weeks. At the end of the experiment, tank color had no effect on survival and growth performance, but had significant effects on feeding rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio (p < 0.05). Terrapins reared with black, red, or blue backgrounds had the highest feed utilization among the treatments. Among these three groups, analysis of specific activity of gastric and pancreatic enzymes in fecal samples and fecal thermal properties suggested improved digestive functionality in terrapins reared with a blue background relative to the other treatments. Carapace elemental composition and hematological parameters indicated no negative effects on health status of the terrapins reared with this optimal treatment. Findings from the current study support the head-starting program of northern river terrapins before release to natural habitats, and could also be applied in aquaria or zoos for public display.

High dietary carbohydrate inclusion by both protein and lipid replacement in gilthead sea bream. Changes in digestive and absorptive processes

The effect of high amounts of dietary carbohydrates on digestive and absorptive processes was studied in juvenile gilthead sea bream. Two trials were conducted over 14 weeks. In the first trial, sea bream were fed with isoproteic diets with lipid replaced with starch and in the second with isolipidic diets with protein replaced with starch; in both wheat starch was included at above the established maximum levels for this fish species. At the end of each trial, intestinal alkaline protease, α-amylase and lipase activities were measured post-feeding, and alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase activities and nutrient absorption capacities were measured under basal conditions.When lipid (23 to 17%) was replaced with starch (12 to 28%) in the 46% protein diet, a decrease in trypsin and chymotrypsin activities was found without modifying the trypsin/chymotrypsin ratio as dietary starch increases. Moreover, the pH of the intestinal content in the pyloric caeca increased and alkaline phosphatase activity and d-glucose absorption capacity decreased. Thus, compensatory mechanisms in buffer capacity, pancreatic enzyme activities and nutrient absorption capacities took place, allowing the maintenance of feed utilization and growth.Diets for the second trial were formulated with the lowest lipid content tested previously (17%) and protein (46 to 40%) was substituted with starch (19 to 39%). Lipase and trypsin activities increased as dietary starch raise, chymotrypsin activity and l-lysine absorption were not modified and amylase activity and d-glucose and L-alanine absorption decreased, but these digestive compensatory mechanisms were not sufficient, and there was a significant increase in FCR and a decrease in voluntary feed intake and SGR. This study suggests that sea bream are able to modulate the digestive process when protein requirements are met.

Activity of Exocrine Pancreatic Enzymes in Diabetic Female Rats

Activity of Exocrine Pancreatic Enzymes in Diabetic Female Rats

Development of fermented vegetables in their ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase as antidyslipidemic agent

Improvement of public awareness of healthy living encourages the increase of demand for natural food products and provides health benefits for the body. Cardiovascular disease caused by atherosclerosis of blood vessel walls and thrombosis is the leading cause of death in the world. Dislipidemia and coagulation disorders are one of the most significant risk factors for the development of atherosclerotic conditions. The purpose of this study is to develop one of the healthy food products from fermented green vegetables (spinach, broccoli and katuk leaves) fermented by kombucha culture during fermentation as a functional beverage in its ability inhibits pancreatic lipase as anti-dyslipidemia. Results showed a correlation between the ability to defend against free radicals and the ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase enzyme activity. The optimum conditions obtained in the fermentation of katuk leaf vegetables based on the ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase activity (% inhibition) and the ability to inhibit free radicals (DPPH), which is for 6 days fermentation of 91.44%, and 88.62%, with a pH value 3.98.

A Prospective study of BISAP score in Acute Pancreatitis.

Background: Acute pancreatitis is defined as an inflammatory process of the pancreas with possible peri pancreatic tissue and multi-organ involvement inducing Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) with an increased mortality rate.The underlying mechanism of injury in pancreatitis is thought to be premature activation of pancreatic enzymes within the pancreas, leading to a process of auto digestion. Due to the risk of rapid deterioration in severe acute pancreatitis, the assessment of severity becomes crucial to a clinician. Multiple risk stratification tools for acute pancreatitis have been developed, but their clinical usefulness is limited. In Ranson's criteria and modified Glasgow score there are multiple parameters, of which some of them are not available in majority of hospitals in India. In addition, both are assessed after 48hrs, thereby missing potentially valuable early therapeutic window. The APACHE II score (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) is the most widely used prediction system currently, but it requires the collection of large number of parameters some of which may not be relevant to prognosis. APACHE II was originally developed as an intensive care instrument. For this purpose, a simple and accurate clinical scoring system that is, Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) scoring system was developed. This scoring system is used for stratifying patients according to their risk of mortality and is able to identify patientsat increased risk of mortality prior to the onset of organ failure. More over the data for BISAP score is collected within the first 24hrs of hospitalization. The ability tostratify patients early in their course is a major step in improving future management strategies in acute pancreatitis. Methods: A prospective study was done in cases of acute pancreatitis with the effectiveness of Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) scoring system is used for stratifying patients according to their risk of mortality and is able to identify patients at increased risk of mortality prior to the onset of organ failure Results: A total of 50 cases were taken and the Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) scoring system was calculated in assessing mortality and intermediate markers of severity in acute pancreatitis in 24 hours of presentation. It is observed that individuals with BISAP score ≥3 were 4.5 times more likely to develop organ failure and 6 times more likely to develop pancreatic necrosis, than those with BISAP score

Quercetin modulates hyperglycemia by improving the pancreatic antioxidant status and enzymes activities linked with glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes model of rats: In silico studies of molecular interaction of quercetin with hexokinase and catalase.

Quercetin was assessed for its antihyperglycemic effect in fructose-streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The oral administration of quercetin at the dosage of 25 and 50mg/kg for 28days remarkably reduced the level of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb), and hepatic glycogen but enhanced plasma Hb concentration. The altered activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and hexokinase in diabetic rats were significantly improved upon quercetin treatment. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of pancreatic superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione was effectively increased while the value for thiobarbituric acid reactive species was decreased. A significant reduction of glycemia was observed in the glucose tolerance test, 120min after the glucose pulse. Also, the damage caused by fructose-STZ in the liver and pancreas of diabetic animals were restored to near normal. Molecular docking of quercetin showed a high affinity for hexokinase and CAT with a binding energy of -7.82 and -9.83kcal/mol, respectively, more elevated than the standard drugs. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Functional foods and nutraceuticals have increasingly interested the consumers in terms of health benefits and have started focussing on the prevention or cure of disease by the foods and their health-enhancing phytochemicals. Quercetin is one of the most potent naturally occurring antioxidants within the flavonoid subclasses, mostly distributed as a secondary metabolite in fruits, vegetables, and black tea. Based on the results exhibited in the present study, we proposed that the consumption of foods rich in quercetin could be a cheap and affordable nutraceutical that can be developed for the treatment of T2DM and its complications. Further studies on the safety aspects of quercetin in long-term usage are strongly recommended before implementing for the treatment of human diseases.

The effect of weaning diet type on grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) juvenile performance during the trophic shift from carnivory to omnivory

In captive grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) juveniles, the weaning stage overlaps the period where there are changes in the ontogeny of digestive enzymes as the fry transit from carnivory to omnivory. The aim of this study was to evaluate growth, survival, weight distribution and the activity of pancreatic and brush border digestive enzymes when fry are fed a carnivorous, herbivorous or omnivorous weaning diet.Fifteen 17-L aquaria in a flow through system with 40‰, UV treated, temperature (24.5 ± 0.5 °C) controlled seawater were stocked with eighty-five 23 dph grey mullet larvae per aquarium. This allowed the testing of three weaning dietary treatments, differing in their protein and carbohydrate content, in 5 replicate aquaria per treatment from 24 to 53 dph. Diet 1 was the dried macroalgal species Ulva lactuca and was designated as a low protein: high carbohydrate herbivorous diet. Diet 2 was a commercial microencapsulated starter feed designated as a high protein: low carbohydrate carnivorous diet. Diet 3 was a 1:1 ww mixture of diets 1 and diet 2 representing an omnivorous feeding regime.The average final weight of the omnivorous feeding fish was significantly (P < .05) higher (203.9 ± 10.0 mg dry weight, dw) than their carnivorous (163.3 ± 7.1 mg dw) and herbivorous feeding (111.8 ± 14.0 mg dw) cohorts. The population of fish fed the herbivorous diet demonstrated a significantly (P = .02) higher percentage of smaller fish (<100 mg) than the omnivorous and carnivorous feeding fish. In contrast, there was a markedly (P = .008 and P = .001) higher percentage of larger (200–400 mg) fish from the carnivorous and omnivorous treatments, respectively, than fish fed the herbivorous diet. Pancreatic α-amylase, alkaline protease and trypsin activity significantly rose when dietary carbohydrate increased, whereas chymotrypsin and lipase activities were independent of the type of diet (P > .05). The activity levels of brush border alkaline phosphatase and intracellular leucine alanine peptidase were similar in grey mullet fry fed the carnivorous and omnivorous diets, but were higher than those in fish fed the herbivorous diet (P < .05). The intestinal maturation index exhibited the highest and lowest values in mullet fry fed the carnivorous and herbivorous diets, respectively, whereas those from the omnivorous group showed intermediate values (P = .03). This study broadly suggests that aquaculture feeds for juvenile grey mullet should be designed for omnivorous feeding habits.

Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant Activity, and Anti-obesogenic Bioactivity of Mao Luang Fruits (Antidesma bunius L.).

To investigate the anti-obesity potential of Antidesma bunius L. (MM), a Thai local fruit which is named “Mao Luang,” we have focused on the effects on pancreatic α-amylase and lipase enzyme activity and on adipocyte life cycle using the 3T3-L1 cell line as a model. In addition, the phytochemical composition and anti-oxidation potential were also analyzed using HPLC-PDA UV and colorimetric methods. The ethanolic extract of MM fruits prepared by a maceration method was used in the experiments. MM extract, yield 12.08% w/w, is composed primarily of phenolics and anthocyanins as the major phytochemicals, among which, gallic acid, catechin, anthocyanin-3-glucoside, and protocatechuic acid were initially identified. In addition, susceptibly inhibitory effects on oxidation in a DPPH assay; on lipase enzyme activity rather than amylase enzyme; and on adipocyte adipogenesis of MM were demonstrated. Interestingly, a concentration-dependent bi-modular manner of activity on adipocyte adipogenesis was discovered, whereby a significant anti-adipogenic effect was demonstrated at high concentration, whilst low concentrations of MM showed adipogenic induction. Lipolytic induction was manifested. Conclusively, the ethanolic MM extract was discovered to be a potential anti-obesity agent contributed by inhibitory effects on lipase enzyme and anti-differentiation and -adipogenesis in adipocytes which significantly correlated to the total phenolics content, as well as anti-oxidation as the mechanism of action. Nevertheless, to achieve effective application, further investigation in in vivo models should be considered.