Plasma Cholesterol Concentrations Research Articles

Prevalence of cardiac dysfunction in type 2 diabetes in a tertiary health care setup

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) may be one factor that specifically influences cardiac diastolic function. The present study was designed to examine cardiac dysfunction in diabetes subjects with non-chronic renal failure (CRF). Materials and methods: Study was approved by Institutional ethics committee, Informed consent from the study subjects. Diagnosis of diabetes was made according to WHO criteria. Plasma glucose concentration, serum lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and HDL plasma cholesterol concentrations) were measured as per standard procedures. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was estimated by ion exchange resin method. ECG recording was obtained for every subject to rule out ischemic heart disease. Results: Of the 150 study Type 2 diabetes participants, the male female ratio was 1.1. The mean HbA1C was 9.112±1.36 %. 2D ECHO findings showed 34% left ventricular hypertrophy and 51.3% diastolic dysfunction. Dyslipidemia was identified in 54.7% and statistically there was no significant association between dyslipidemia and diastolic dysfunction (P = 0.532). Conclusion: In this study, diastolic dysfunction dyslipidemia was identified in 51.5% participants without dyslipedemia. Though, there was no significant difference, this number is to be considered. However, studies should be conducted with big samples size.

Sexually Dimorphic Response of Increasing Dietary Intake of High Amylose Wheat on Metabolic and Reproductive Outcomes in Male and Female Mice

High amylose wheat (HAW) has a higher resistant starch content and lower glycaemic index than standard amylose wheat (SAW), which may be associated with health benefits. This study aimed to determine the effects of replacing SAW with HAW on metabolic and reproductive parameters in male and female mice. Male and female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into groups (n = 8/group/sex) and fed either a SAW65 (65% SAW w/w; control), HAW35 (35% HAW w/w), HAW50 (50% HAW w/w) or HAW65 (65% HAW w/w) diet for eight weeks. In male but not female, the HAW65 group had a lower abdominal circumference, relative total fat mass, relative gonadal fat mass and plasma leptin concentration compared to the HAW35 group. There were no differences in fasting blood glucose concentrations or plasma concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides or non-esterified fatty acids between groups in either males or females. The HAW-fed males had a higher testicular weight and HAW-fed females spent less time in diestrus and a longer time in metestrus compared to the SAW-fed mice. Higher dietary intake of HAW appears to reduce abdominal fat deposition compared to the lower level of HAW in a sexually dimorphic manner. The impacts on reproductive parameters in the HAW-fed mice require further investigation.

Changes in plasma biochemistry in breeding ring-billed gulls: Effects of anthropogenic habitat use and contaminant exposure

Gulls (Larids) have become successful at exploiting anthropogenic areas for foraging. However, little is known on the health implications of using anthropogenic habitats and on the associated exposure to environmental contaminants, particularly with respect to plasma biochemistry that is routinely used to diagnose physiological disorders and diseases. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of anthropogenic habitat use and exposure to ubiquitous halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) on plasma biochemistry of urban-breeding ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) from one of the largest colonies in North America. Miniature GPS dataloggers were used to characterize foraging habitat use of individual gulls (n = 39) at the regional scale (urban, waste management facilities, agricultural fields, and St. Lawrence River) in the Montreal area (QC, Canada), and plasma was analyzed for a suite of biochemical measures (waste products, lipids, glucose, ions, proteins, and enzymes) and HFRs. Several confounding biological and environmental variables were also assessed including sex, body condition, time spent fasting while incubating, plasma thyroid hormone levels, time of day, capture date, and ambient temperature. As ring-billed gulls (males and females combined) spent more time foraging in urban areas, their plasma concentrations of cholesterol, albumin and activity of alkaline phosphatase increased significantly. Moreover, as the gulls spent more time foraging in agricultural fields, their plasma concentrations of phosphorous and activity of aspartate aminotransferase increased significantly. Only the activity of aspartate aminotransferase was significantly positively related to plasma HFR concentrations (PBDEs and dechlorane-related compounds). Time spent fasting while incubating, plasma thyroid hormone levels, body condition, time of day, and capture date were significantly related to certain plasma biochemical measures. The present results suggest that both the use of anthropogenic habitats for foraging and exposure to HFRs may affect the plasma biochemistry of ring-billed gulls breeding in the densely-populated Montreal area, suggesting potential adverse health effects for avian wildlife living in highly urbanized environments.

Weaning Holstein Calves at 17 Weeks of Age Enables Smooth Transition from Liquid to Solid Feed.

Simple SummaryWeaning calves from liquid to solid feed can be a stressful event in their life and can affect growth, development and welfare. It is commonly done at the age of 7 to 8 weeks on dairy farms, but weaning at a greater age could potentially reduce the associated stress. Therefore, it might improve growth rates and enable a smooth transition to an adult liver metabolism. To confirm this hypothesis this study evaluated the effect of two different weaning ages (7 vs. 17 weeks of age) on female Holstein calves. Furthermore, the effect of mothers’ parity was analyzed (primiparous vs. multiparouos). Primiparous cows were often immature and still developing during their first pregnancy. This can lead to negative intrauterine conditions and result in long-term changes in the calf’s metabolism. Late-weaned calves consumed high amounts of concentrate feed before weaning despite their high milk replacer intake, indicating the maturation of their rumen. In addition, they experienced a smooth transition to an adult liver metabolism as reflected by steady plasma glucose and cholesterol concentrations. Later weaning corrected the reduced growth of calves born to primiparous cows as well, indicating that those particularly benefitted from late weaning. All benefits were indicated by slower changes of blood metabolites and higher growth rates, which might lead to better health and productivity in their subsequent lifetime. Development of calves depends on prenatal and postnatal conditions. Primiparous cows were still maturing during pregnancy, which can lead to negative intrauterine conditions and affect the calf’s metabolism. It is hypothesized that weaning calves at higher maturity has positive effects due to reduced metabolic stress. We aimed to evaluate effects of mothers’ parity and calves’ weaning age on growth performance and blood metabolites. Fifty-nine female Holstein calves (38.8 ± 5.3 kg birth weight, about 8 days old) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment with factors weaning age (7 vs. 17 weeks) and parity of mother (primiparous vs. multiparous cows). Calves were randomly assigned one of these four groups. Live weight, live weight gain and morphometry increased over time and were greater in calves weaned later. Metabolic indicators except total protein were interactively affected by time and weaning age. Leptin remained low in early-weaned calves born to primiparous cows, while it increased in the other groups. The results suggest that weaning more mature calves has a positive effect on body growth, and calves born to primiparous cows particularly benefit from this weaning regimen. It also enables a smooth transition from liquid to solid feed, which might reduce the associated stress of weaning.

125 Supplementing extra dietary DL-methionine mitigates effects of higher stocking density on growth performance, meat quality, and health status of broiler chicks

Abstract This study was to determine if 30% extra supplemental DL-methionine could improve growth performance, meat quality, and health status of broilers stocked at a high density. A total of 560 day-old male Cornish cockerel chicks were divided into 4 treatment groups: 2 stocking densities (2.9 and 3.8 kg/ft2) and 2 supplementations of DL-methionine (grower: 2.90 or 3.77 g/kg and finisher: 2.60 or 3.38 g/kg). Chicks were fed the same corn-soybean meal-based starter diet and then experimental diets (grower: 6.4 g SAA/kg, finisher: 5.9 g SAA/kg, n = 10 pens/treatment). Growth performance and mortality were recorded, and blood and tissue samples (3 chicks/pen) were collected at the end of each period. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA. High stocking density decreased (P < 0.05) BW and (or) ADG of growers and finishers. Both high stocking density and methionine decreased (P < 0.05) ADFI and the high methionine improved (P < 0.05) feed use efficiency of chicks during the grower-finisher period. Neither treatment affected feather coverage, mortality, incidences of diseases, or dressing percentage. The high methionine improved (P < 0.05) meat to bone ratio of thigh, and exerted mixed effects (P < 0.05) on texture of breast and thigh. Dietary methionine and stocking density showed no major effects on tissue lipid profiles, but moderate effects (P < 0.05) on plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and(or) triglycerides of chicks. Fatty acid profiles in the liver and breast of chicks were unaffected by either treatment. The two treatments enhanced (P < 0.05) tibial maximum breaking strength (15–20%) and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity of growers. In conclusion, the high stocking density affected growth performance, meat quality, and health status of broilers. Supplementing 30% extra dietary methionine seemed to mitigate some of those effects. (Supported in part by Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH, Germany)

The long-term oral administration of thyroxine: effects on blood hematological and biochemical features in broiler breeder hens

Published data on the beneficial effect of short-term administration of thyroxine (T4) in broiler breeder hens to reduce the ascites incidence in their progeny chicks raises the question as to what extent might the long-term maternal administration of T4 affect the blood hematological and biochemical attributes in breeder hens. A total of 70 broiler breeder hens (47-wk-old) were randomly allotted to control or thyroxine treated (T4) groups. Pure T4 (0.3 mg/bird per day) was orally administered to T4 birds for 14 successive weeks, whereas the control group received the drinking water only. Blood samples were obtained from the brachial vein prior to the initiation of the trial as well as weeks 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, and 61 of age. Body weight was decreased but egg production was not affected by T4 treatment. Plasma concentration of T4, but not triiodothyronine (T3), was increased in T4-treated hens (P < 0.05). The total number of leukocytes and erythrocytes were also higher in T4 birds. A significant effect of time was observed for erythrocyte number and plasma cholesterol concentration (P < 0.05). The long-term administration of T4 did not affect the concentrations of serum calcium and plasma total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, alanine amino transferase, and aspartate amino transferase (P > 0.05). However, serum concentrations of phosphorus, glucose, and alkaline phosphatase were higher in T4 hens as compared to their control counterparts. In spite of differences in circulatory concentrations of a number of traits between the experimental groups, the recorded values were within their reference ranges. Therefore, the administration of T4 for an extended period of time had no apparent adverse effect on the clinical profile in subjected hens, which may practically support the implementation of this preventative treatment as an approach to decrease the ascites incidence; however, a lower incidence rate in the progeny chicks produced from hens receiving T4 for long-term periods of time remains to be elucidated.

Dietary Metabolizable Energy Responses in Yellow-Feathered Broiler Chickens from 29 to 56 d

SUMMARY In this study, the metabolizable energy (ME) requirements were determined for Chinese yellow-feathered chickens aged from 29 to 56 d. In total, 1,200 29-d-old male yellow-feathered broilers were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments with 6 replicates each of 40 birds. Birds were fed 5 levels of dietary ME (2,799, 2,897, 2,997, 3,098, and 3,198 kcal ME/kg diet). Broilers that received high-energy diets had a higher (P 0.05), whereas the abdominal fat percentage and thigh intramuscular fat percentage increased significantly. The retention of energy and protein increased (P 0.05) on the energy, protein, and fat contents in the whole body. The plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and total triglyceride were not (P > 0.05) affected by the dietary energy concentration but the plasma concentration of uric acid increased significantly. According to broken-line regression analysis, the recommended dietary ME levels that maximized ADG, optimized FCR, and minimized the deposition of abdominal fat (%) in yellow-feathered broiler chickens aged from 29 to 56 d were 3,198 kcal, 3,213 kcal, and 2,920 kcal ME/kg, respectively.

Potent reduction of plasma lipoprotein (a) with an antisense oligonucleotide in human subjects does not affect ex vivo fibrinolysis

It is postulated that lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] inhibits fibrinolysis, but this hypothesis has not been tested in humans due to the lack of specific Lp(a) lowering agents. Patients with elevated Lp(a) were randomized to antisense oligonucleotide [IONIS-APO(a)Rx] directed to apo(a) (n = 7) or placebo (n = 10). Ex vivo plasma lysis times and antigen concentrations of plasminogen, factor XI, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor, and fibrinogen at baseline, day 85/92/99 (peak drug effect), and day 190 (3 months off drug) were measured. The mean ± SD baseline Lp(a) levels were 477.3 ± 55.9 nmol/l in IONIS-APO(a)Rx and 362.1 ± 89.9 nmol/l in placebo. The mean± SD percentage change in Lp(a) for IONIS-APO(a)Rx was -69.3 ± 12.2% versus -5.4 ± 6.9% placebo (P < 0.0010) at day 85/92/99 and -15.6 ± 8.9% versus 3.2 ± 12.2% (P = 0.003) at day 190. Clot lysis times and coagulation/fibrinolysis-related biomarkers showed no significant differences between IONIS-APO(a)Rx and placebo at all time points. Clot lysis times were not affected by exogenously added Lp(a) at concentrations up to 200 nmol/l to plasma with very low (12.5 nmol/l) Lp(a) levels, whereas recombinant apo(a) had a potent antifibrinolytic effect. In conclusion, potent reductions of Lp(a) in patients with highly elevated Lp(a) levels do not affect ex vivo measures of fibrinolysis; the relevance of any putative antifibrinolytic effects of Lp(a) in vivo needs further study.

Impact of different chromium sources on physiological responses, blood biochemicals and endocrine status of heat stress in dairy calves

ABSTRACT Present experiment was conducted to examine whether the supplementation of different organic sources of Cr (Chromium) would improve the performance of heat-stressed calves. Twenty-four female Hariana calves were divided into four treatments (six calves per treatment): (1) calves fed on basal diet (0 mg Cr/kg DM); (2) calves fed on basal diet supplemented with 1.0 mg Cr/kg DM as Cr-picolinate (Cr-Pic); (3) calves fed on basal diet supplemented with 1.0 mg Cr/kg DM as Cr-polynicotinate (Cr-Polynic); and (4) calves fed on basal diet supplemented with 1.0 mg Cr/kg DM as Cr-yeast (Cr-Yeast). Supplementation of different sources of organic Cr did not alter the physiological response of heat-stressed calves during 120 days of feeding experiment. Different Cr sources did not have any effect on liver function test, protein turn over, plasma cholesterol, glucose, total immunoglobulin (Ig) and cortisol levels. Cr shows beneficial effects on cholesterol metabolism, antioxidant activity and plasma concentration of Zn and Cr. Adding Cr-Polynic in the diet of heat-stressed calves significantly reduced (p < 0.05) plasma insulin concentration. This study suggests that the supplementation of different sources of Cr at 1.0 mg/kg DM (Dry Matter), improves antioxidant status and potency of insulin action in heat-stressed dairy calves.

Lunasin Improves the LDL-C Lowering Efficacy of Simvastatin via Inhibiting PCSK9 Expression in Hepatocytes and ApoE-/- Mice.

Statins are the most popular therapeutic drugs to lower plasma low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) synthesis by competitively inhibiting hydroxyl-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase and up-regulating the hepatic low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). However, the concomitant up-regulation of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) by statin attenuates its cholesterol lowering efficacy. Lunasin, a soybean derived 43-amino acid polypeptide, has been previously shown to functionally enhance LDL uptake via down-regulating PCSK9 and up-regulating LDLR in hepatocytes and mice. Herein, we investigated the LDL-C lowering efficacy of simvastatin combined with lunasin. In HepG2 cells, after co-treatment with 1 μM simvastatin and 5 μM lunasin for 24 h, the up-regulation of PCSK9 by simvastatin was effectively counteracted by lunasin via down-regulating hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF-1α), and the functional LDL uptake was additively enhanced. Additionally, after combined therapy with simvastatin and lunasin for four weeks, ApoE−/− mice had significantly lower PCSK9 and higher LDLR levels in hepatic tissues and remarkably reduced plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C, as compared to each monotherapy. Conclusively, lunasin significantly improved the LDL-C lowering efficacy of simvastatin by counteracting simvastatin induced elevation of PCSK9 in hepatocytes and ApoE−/− mice. Simvastatin combined with lunasin could be a novel regimen for hypercholesterolemia treatment.

The growth performance, plasma biochemistry indices, immune system, antioxidant status, and intestinal morphology of heat-stressed broiler chickens fed grape (Vitis vinifera) pomace

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of grape (Vitis vinifera) pomace, GP, on growth performance, blood metabolites, immunity, antioxidant status, and intestinal morphology of heat-stressed broiler chickens. A total of 250 1-d-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to five treatment groups, with 5 replicates (n = 10). A group was raised at comfort temperatures (thermoneutral) and fed basal diet throughout the study. The other four groups were raised at comfort temperatures until d 24 and then subjected to a heat stress (HS), 37 ± 1 °C and 55% relative humidity, for 6 h from d 25 to 42. They fed diets containing 0, 20, 40, and 60 g GP / kg diet for 42 days. The results showed that GP inclusion linearly increased the feed intake during the starter and grower periods (P = 0.044 and P = 0.023, respectively). Furthermore, dietary GP linearly reduced the blood concentration of triglycerides (P = 0.047), cholesterol (P = 0.007), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL, P = 0.001), and enzyme activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST, P = 0.002), but increased the blood concentration high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.001) and total protein (P = 0.014) concentrations at d 24. Heat stress impaired the growth performance of broiler chickens. Heat-stressed broiler chickens showed lower carcass efficiency (P = 0.031), breast (P = 0.033), thigh and drumstick (P = 0.003), abdominal fat (P = 0.001), bursa of Fabricius (P = 0.001), and thymus (P = 0.0001) relative weight. The blood protein concentration (P = 0.006), and antibody titer against sheep red blood cells (SRBC, P = 0.002) were lower in heat stressed-birds compared with the thermoneutral broiler chickens. It also decreased the erythrocyte activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx, P = 0.047) and superoxide dismutase (SOD, P = 0.004), jejunal villus height (P = 0.011), and villus height to crypt depth ratio (P = 0.008). However, HS increased the relative weights of liver (P = 0.001), pancreas (P = 0.001), gallbladder (P = 0.008), and heart (P = 0.022). The HS also increased blood activity of AST (P = 0.003) and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA, P = 0.02) as compared to thermoneutral condition. Dietary GP did not affect the growth performance, antibody titer against SRBC, relative length of different small intestine segments, and jejunal morphology indices in heat-stressed broiler chickens. However, GP inclusion increased the thigh and drumstick (quadratic, P = 0.04), bursa (linear, P = 0.049), and thymus (linear, P = 0.014) percentages, but linearly reduced that of abdominal fat (P = 0.001). Grape pomace inclusion linearly reduced the plasma concentration of cholesterol (P = 0.003) and LDL (P = 0.01) at d 42. Dietary GP linearly decreased the plasma MDA (P = 0.036) concentration, while linearly increased the GPx and SOD activities (P = 0.0001). Overall, based on the estimates from the regression models, the optimal dietary GP level would be 51.7 g / kg for heat-stressed broiler chickens.

Plasma oxyphytosterol concentrations are not associated with CVD status in Framingham Offspring Study participants

Dietary plant sterols, such as campesterol and sitosterol, reduce plasma cholesterol concentrations, but any relationship to plaque development and CVD remains unclear. Some epidemiologic studies have suggested that elevated plasma plant sterol concentrations are atherogenic, including the Framingham Offspring Study that identified a positive association between plant sterol concentrations and CVD status. We hypothesized that this suggested atherogenicity relates to the oxidation status of plant sterols (i.e., concentrations of plasma oxyphytosterols). Therefore, in the Framingham Offspring Study cohort, we measured plasma oxyphytosterol concentrations in 144 patients with documented CVD and/or more than 50% carotid stenosis and 383 matched controls. We analyzed plasma oxyphytosterol concentrations by GC/MS/MS and performed conditional logistic regression analysis to determine associations between plasma plant sterol or oxyphytosterol concentrations and CVD status. We found that higher total cholesterol (TC)-standardized campesterol concentrations [odds ratio (OR): 2.36; 95% CI: 1.60, 3.50] and higher sitosterol concentrations (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.97) were significantly associated with increased CVD risk, as in the earlier study. However, the sum of absolute oxyphytosterol concentrations (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.21) and the sum of TC-standardized oxyphytosterol concentrations (OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.80, 1.19) were not associated with an increased CVD risk. Results were comparable for individual absolute and TC-standardized oxycampesterol and oxysitosterol concentrations. Plasma nonoxidized TC-standardized sitosterol and campesterol concentrations showed weak or no correlations with oxyphytosterol concentrations, while all individual plasma concentrations of oxyphytosterol correlated with each other. In conclusion, circulating plasma oxyphytosterols are not associated with CVD risk in the Framingham Offspring Study.

IMPACT OF LEMONGRASS (CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS) AND ROSELLE (HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA) ON BLOOD METABOLITES AND FECAL ANTICOCCIDIAL EFFECT OF SAIDI EWES

Twenty-eight pregnant Saidi ewes were assigned to 4 treatments to study the influence of dietary Lemongrass and Roselle on blood metabolites, antioxidant status and anticoccidial effect. The experiment lasted for 75 days (15 before parturition and 60 after parturition). The treatments were: (1) CON group, animals received control diet without additives, consist of concentrate mixture (CM) and wheat straw; (2) LG group, animals fed control diet plus 4g Lemongrass/ kg dry matter (DM) of CM: (3) RO group, animals fed control diet plus 4g Roselle /kg DM of CM and (4) LGRO group, animals fed control diet plus (2g Lemongrass +2g Roselle)/kg DM of CM. Blood and feces samples were taken at the end of the trial to determine some of blood metabolites and parasitic number. Dietary LGRO decreased (P<0.05) plasma protein and albumin while the ewes fed LG had the highest (P<0.05) concentration of globulin. Plasma creatinine concentration was lower (P<0.05) in treatment groups compared to CON group. There was a significant increase in plasma cholesterol concentration of LG and RO groups, while LGRO group had the lowest concentration of plasma total cholesterol (P<0.05) compared with other ones. Also, feeding with LG and LGRO had negative effect on the level of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes. Ewes fed RO had the highest (P<0.05) level of LDH enzyme compared with other groups. Dietary RO decreased (P<0.05) triioidothyronine (T3) concentration, while LGRO groups tended to increase (P<0.05) T4 concentration. Dietary LG and RO improved (P<0.05) total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) compared to CON group. Heavy infection was detected with Coccidia in the fecal samples of control group compared to LG and RO groups, while tented to have less quantity of oocysts output in LGRO group. It could be concluded that the addition of LG or RO in the diets may improve some blood metabolites, antioxidant status and immune response of Saidi ewes.

Effect of Silver Nanoparticle Administration on Productive Performance, Blood Parameters, Antioxidative Status, and Silver Residues in Growing Rabbits under Hot Climate.

Simple SummarySilver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were used for their antibacterial effects, which increase productive performance and immune response in poultry and rabbits. On the other hand, residues of silver in meat and the internal organs of treated animals may be toxic for human beings. The current results of using two doses of injecting AgNPs revealed that body weight significantly improved in rabbits given a low dose of AgNPs compared with control animals. For consumers’ health concerns, it is of interest to note that the amount of accumulated silver in blood plasma and meat increased dramatically with an increasing dose.The influence of subcutaneous injections of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on rabbit performance, hematological and biochemical parameters of blood, antioxidant status, and the residues of silver in meat and blood in two breeds (New Zealand White (NZW) and Jabali) of rabbits growing under high ambient temperature was evaluated. A total of 90 six-week-old rabbits (45 NZW and 45 Jabali) were randomly distributed into three equal treatment groups (control, 0.5 mg, and 1.0 mg AgNPs/kg body weight). The treated rabbits were injected twice a week for four consecutive weeks. The results revealed that AgNPs administration had no significant effect on average daily gain (ADG), feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The NZW breed surpassed the Jabali breed in growth performance traits, carcass weight, dressing percentage, and cuts of mid parts and hind cuts. Administration of AgNPs had a significant effect on hematocrit (HCT) and platelet (PLT) values. Rabbits injected with AgNPs at a dose of 0.5 mg showed a lower plasma concentration of total cholesterol and triglycerides than that of control rabbits. The NZW breed had significantly low platelet, total cholesterol, and triglyceride values. Rabbits injected with 0.5 mg/kg BW had the lowest total antioxidant capacity and highest malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase. The Ag residues were higher in blood than those in meat in treated rabbits. The local breed (Jabali) had significantly lower residues than the imported one (NZW) either in meat or in blood. However, the amount of accumulated silver in blood plasma and meat increased with increasing dose.

P704Nanoliposomal anti-PCSK9 vaccine ameliorates glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in diabetic rats

Abstract Background PCSK9 inhibitors have emerged as an effective lipid-lowering approach. Although the results of available studies suggest a positive association of plasma PCSK9 levels with glycemic parameters and risk of DM, the effects of PCSK9 inhibitors on glucose intolerance and insulin resistance as the key features of DM remain unclear. Purpose The present study was directed to determine effect of vaccine-mediated PCSK9 inhibition on glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in experimental diabetic rats. Methods Nanoliposomal vaccine composing from PCSK9-linked nanoliposome particles mixed in Alum adjuvant was subcutaneously injected four times with bi-weekly intervals in Wistar-Albino rats. Two weeks after the last immunization, vaccinated and non-vaccinated rats were subjected to diabetes experiment induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). One week after STZ injection, glucose tolerance ability of each animal was evaluated by using oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on the overnight fasted rats with glucose dose at 2 g/kg. Two weeks after STZ injection, insulin tolerance test (ITT) viaintraperitoneal injection of insulin (0.8 U/kg) was performed to determine the measure of peripheral utilization of glucose. The plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG were measured. Results Nanoliposomal vaccine exposing PCSK9 peptide was found to provoke high-titers IgG antibody response against PCSK9 in rats, which was associated with the decrease plasma levels and function of plasma PCSK9. During the first week after STZ injection, it was indicated that the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level was 49% (−171.7±35 mg/dL, p&lt;0.0001) lower in the vaccinated diabetic (VD) rats, when compared to the diabetic control (DC) rats. OGTT assessment revealed that the VS rats had significantly improved glucose tolerance ability and recorded significant reduction in the level of blood glucose over the period of 180 min, when compared with the DC rats. Measurement of integrated areas under the glucose curve values demonstrated that blood glucose levels were significantly (p&lt;0.0001) decreased by 34.5% in the VS rats than the DC rats. In addition, ITT analysis showed that after insulin administration blood glucose level was decreased by 49.3% in the VS group compared with the DC group. The VS rats showed significantly lower (−26.65%, p=0.02) plasma LDL-C levels than the DC rats (Figure). Histopathology examination indicated that the pancreatic islet of the VS rats had a slightly decreased population of β-cells and few α-cells. Histopathology examination of the liver tissues of both VS and DC rats exhibited the normal histology with the normal hepatic architecture composed of hepatic lobules with normal central vein. Conclusions PCSK9 inhibition using liposomal vaccine can protect from glucose and insulin tolerance impairments in diabetic rats through an unknown and pancreatic-independent mechanism.

The Effect of Diet Supplemented with Dandelion’s (Taraxacum Officinale) Extract on the Productive and Blood Parameters of Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio L.), Cultivated in the Recirculation System

Abstract The aim of the current study was to test the effect of a diet supplemented with dandelion’s (Taraxacum officinale) extract on the productive traits and blood parameters in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) cultivated in an recirculation aquaculture system. The carps were cultivated at a stocking density of 7.2 kg/m3 in recirculation aquaculture system. The fish were split into the following two experimental groups: DF (the fish were fed with feed supplemented with dandelion’s extract) and CF (the fish were fed with feed without supplementation). Common carp fed with a diet added with dandelion’s extract at a quantity of 0.8% from daily feed ratio, did not affect the hydrochemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, and electrical conductivity). The carps fed with feed supplemented with dandelion’s extract did not show better productive traits compared with these found for carp from the control variant. The carp from experimental groups had a higher survival rate, final weight, average individual weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR), respectively with 13.2%, 3.94%, 31.5% and 31.3%, compared with the average values of these parameters measured in individuals fed with the control feed, but the differences were not statistically significant (P≥0.05). Supplementation of feed with dandelion’s extract significantly decreased the plasma cholesterol (4.76%) and triglyceride (61.2%) content, promoting hypolipidemic status in fish (P≤0.05).

β-Sitosterol Shows Potential to Protect Against the Development of High-Fructose Diet-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction in Female Rats.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of risk factors that include insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The consumption of high-fructose diets contributes to the development of MetS. β-sitosterol a naturally occurring phytosterol possesses antiobesogenic and antidiabetic effects. This study evaluated the potential protective effect of β-sitosterol against the development of metabolic dysfunction in growing female rats fed a high-fructose diet, mimicking children fed obesogenic diets. Thirty-five 21-day-old female Sprague Dawley rat pups were randomly allocated to and administered the following treatments: group 1-standard rat chow (SRC) + plain drinking water (PW) + plain gelatine cube (PC); group 2-SRC + 20% w/w fructose solution (FS) as drinking fluid + PC; group 3-SRC + FS + 100 mg/kg fenofibrate in gelatine cubes; group 4-SRC + FS + 20 mg/kg β-sitosterol gelatine cube (Bst); and group 5-SRC + PW + Bst. Following 12 weeks of feeding, the rats were fasted overnight, weighed, and then euthanized. Plasma cholesterol, insulin, glucose, triglyceride, and adiponectin concentrations were determined. Visceral fat was dissected out and weighed. The high-fructose diet increased (P < .05) visceral adiposity and plasma triglyceride concentration but decreased (P < .05) plasma adiponectin concentration. β-sitosterol prevented the high-fructose diet-induced visceral obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypoadiponectinemia. β-sitosterol alone increased plasma adiponectin concentration and reduced plasma insulin concentration and homeostatic model assessment index. In conclusion, β-sitosterol could be potentially used to prevent high-fructose diet-induced metabolic dysfunction.

Effect of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (Pcsk9) Content and Lipid Metabolism in the Blood Plasma and Liver of Obese Wistar Rats

Nowadays, obesity and its complications are heavy burdens to western civilization. Surgical procedures remain one of the available therapies for obesity and obesity-associated diseases treatment. Among them, sleeve gastrectomy is the most common bariatric procedure. Despite the well-established fact that sleeve gastrectomy results in significant weight loss, some of its other divergent effects still need to be established. To fulfill this knowledge gap, we examined whether sleeve gastrectomy affects lipid metabolism in the plasma and liver of obese rats. We demonstrated that chronic high-fat diet feeding led to an increment in the level of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin (PCSK)—a regulator of plasma cholesterol concentration—in the liver, which was decreased after the gastrectomy. Moreover, we noticed significant increases in both plasma and liver contents of free fatty acids, diacylgycerides and triacylglycerides in the obese animals, with their reduction after the bariatric surgery. In conclusion, we revealed, presumably for the first time, that sleeve gastrectomy affects lipid metabolism in the liver of obese rats.

Effect of supplementation fat during the last 3 weeks of uterine life and the preweaning period on performance, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites, passive immunity and health of the newborn calf.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing essential fatty acids (FA), during late gestation and the preweaning and early weaning periods on passive immunity, growth, health, rumen fermentation parameters, blood metabolites and behaviour of dairy calves. During the last 3 weeks of pregnancy, cattle (n 120), within parity, were randomly assigned to one of three diets with different fat supplements: (a) no supplemental fat (CON), (b) supplement rich in linoleic acid (CSO), or (c) supplement rich in EPA and DHA (CFO). Eighty-four newborn Holstein calves were randomly assigned, within the prepartum diets, to one of two calf starters: no fat supplement (FC-0) or 2 % Ca-salt of unsaturated FA (FC-2). Overall, the interaction between dam diets and calf starters did not affect calf performance or any other parameter measured. Calves born from dams fed fat (CSO or CFO) performed better than calves born from dams fed CON. Namely, calves born from dams fed fat had greater plasma concentrations of IgG (P < 0·01), better apparent efficiency of IgG absorption (P < 0·01) and average daily gain (ADG, 597 v. 558 g/d; P = 0·02), and lower rectal temperature (RT; P < 0·01). Calves fed a calf starter rich in unsaturated FA (FC-2) had greater (P ≤ 0·01) ADG, skeletal growth, feed efficiency, and weaning weight compared with FC-0-fed calves. Furthermore, calves fed FC-2 had lower RT during the pre- and post-weaning periods (P ≤ 0·04) and fewer days with diarrhoea (P < 0·001) compared with calves fed CF-0. Time spent eating, ruminating, standing, lying, and on non-nutritive oral behaviour did not differ by treatment. Similarly, treatments did not affect ruminal fermentation parameters. At 28 and 77 d of age, calves fed CF-2 had higher plasma concentrations of albumin and cholesterol (P ≤ 0·02) and lower urea N compared with calves fed CF-0. Plasma concentrations of alkaline phosphatase were higher in calves fed CF-2 compared with those fed CF-0, when they were 77 d old. These findings support feeding moderate amounts of long-chain PUFA during late uterine life or during the preweaning period have beneficial effects on calf metabolism, growth, and health performance.

Reclamation of Astragalus By-Product through Dietary Inclusion in Ruminant Diets: Effects on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, Blood Biochemical Parameters, and Humoral Immune Response in Sheep.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Astragalus by-product (ABP) through dietary supplementation at different levels on performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, and immune response in sheep. Twenty-four Doper × Small Tail Han ewes (6-7 months of age; 29.07 ± 2.28 kg initial body weight) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments for a 47 d feeding period. Treatments consisted of the sheep diet supplemented with 0% ABP-control, 10% ABP, or 15% ABP of the diet (dry matter basis). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 15, 30, and 45 of the feeding period. APB supplementation did not affect growth performance and apparent digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, and acid detergent fibre (P > 0.05). However, ether extract digestibility was decreased in the 10% ABP group and increased in the 15% ABP group (P < 0.001), and both 10% ABP and 15% ABP decreased the neutral detergent fibre digestibility (P=0.005). Feeding ABP increased rumen pH (P < 0.001) and ammonia N (P < 0.001) and decreased concentrations of acetate (P=0.007) and propionate (P=0.001) which resultantly increased the acetate-to-propionate ratio (P < 0.001) in ruminal fluid. There were no interaction effects between treatment and sampling time for plasma metabolites and immunity (P > 0.05). However, inclusion of dietary 10% ABP decreased concentrations of plasma cholesterol (P=0.043). Also, plasma concentrations of low-density lipoprotein decreased on days 30 and 45 (P=0.017) of the feeding period. Metabolite concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, blood urea N, glucose, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and humoral immune indicators were not affected (P > 0.05) by dietary ABP supplementation. The results suggest that ABP could be reclaimed through dietary inclusion in animal feed since it had beneficial effects on rumen fermentation patterns and lipid metabolism and had no adverse effects on performance and humoral immunity in sheep.