Serum Cholesterol Concentrations Research Articles

Association of ADP-Induced Whole-Blood Platelet Aggregation with Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease When Receiving Maintenance Ticagrelor-Based Dual Antiplatelet Therapy.

The degree of platelet inhibition in patients undergoing dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) affects cardiovascular outcomes after acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and/or percutaneous coronary intervention. Our aim was to search for correlates of residual ex vivo platelet reactivity and circulating soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), an index of in vivo platelet activation, in patients being treated by DAPT with ticagrelor. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregability (by multiple electrode aggregometry) and plasma sP-selectin were estimated in 62 stable post-ACS subjects (46 men and 16 women; mean age: 64 ± 10 years; 30 with type 2 diabetes (T2DM)) undergoing maintenance DAPT with ticagrelor and aspirin. These patients did not exhibit heart failure or other relevant coexistent diseases except for properly controlled T2DM, mild renal insufficiency, and hypertension. We also assessed this in 64 subjects on clopidogrel-based DAPT matched for age, sex, and T2DM status. ADP-induced platelet aggregation was below the optimal levels (190-460 arbitrary units (AU) * min) in most patients receiving ticagrelor-based DAPT, especially in those with below-median (<1.9 mmol/L) serum concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (128 ± 61 vs. 167 ± 73 AU * min for below-median and above-median LDL-c, respectively, p = 0.025). In contrast, platelet reactivity did not differ by LDL-c on clopidogrel-based DAPT (246 ± 101 vs. 268 ± 108 AU * min for below-median and above-median LDL-c, respectively, p > 0.4). Plasma sP-selectin was found to be unrelated to serum LDL-c when receiving DAPT with ticagrelor (p > 0.4) or clopidogrel (p > 0.8). In conclusion, our preliminary observational study suggests the association of lower residual ex vivo platelet aggregability with better LDL-c control in patients undergoing ticagrelor-based maintenance DAPT, which does not appear to be reflected by plasma sP-selectin. Whether the serum LDL-c level should be considered among the factors affecting the degree of platelet inhibition for those treated with ticagrelor-based DAPT needs to be investigated in larger studies.

IMPACTS OF PROBIOTICS WITH OR WITHOUT ORGANIC ACIDS AS DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS QUALITY, DIGESTIBILITY, INTESTINAL DEVELOPMENT, AND GUT MICROBIOTA OF BROILER CHICKS

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background. &lt;/strong&gt;Due to the harmful effects resulting from the addition of antibiotics to treat diseases affecting poultry and their use as growth promoter, it was necessary to have safe alternatives such as organic acids and probiotics, which work to provide an appropriate pH for activity of beneficial bacteria and reducing the numbers of harmful pathogenic bacteria.&lt;strong&gt; Objective. &lt;/strong&gt;To assess the effects of dietary supplementation of probiotics, with or without organic acids (acetic, propionic, and benzoic) on growth performance, carcass quality, digestibility, intestinal development, gut microbiota, and serum parameters of broiler chicks. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology. &lt;/strong&gt;A total number of 250 one-day old, unsexed Ross (308) broiler chicks, were equally assigned to five feeding treatments (50 birds/treatment, five replicates of ten birds/treatment) as follows: T1 (control); fed a basal diet (BD), T2; fed BD + 2g commercial probiotics (PRO)/kg diet, T3: fed BD + 2g PRO/ kg diet + 10 ml acetic acid/kg diet, T4: fed BD + 2g PRO/kg diet + 10 ml propionic acid/ kg diet, and T5: fed BD + 2g PRO/ kg diet + 10 ml benzoic acid / kg diet. The trial prolonged from day 1 to day 42 of age. &lt;strong&gt;Results.&lt;/strong&gt; Compared to the control, the results revealed that body weight and body weight gain were significantly improved at 3 and 6 wks of age as a result of supplementing the diets with probiotics and organic acids (especially benzoic acid). The positive impacts of the supplements on FCR were more pronounced from 4-6 weeks and for the overall period (0-6 wks). No mortalities occurred when organic acids were supplemented. The tested supplements also decreased bacterial counts of ileal &lt;em&gt;E. coli&lt;/em&gt;. Moreover, probiotics plus benzoic acid treatment (T5) significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05) increased the ileal &lt;em&gt;lactobacilli&lt;/em&gt; count. Carcass traits, internal organs and GIT histological parameters were positively affected by different treatments, especially probiotics plus benzoic acid treatment. The supplements improved ALT, AST and ALP activity and decreased cholesterol and triglycerides content in blood serum (P &amp;lt;0.05).&lt;strong&gt; Implications. &lt;/strong&gt;The study showed that the addition of organic acids to probiotics led to an increase in the &lt;em&gt;lactobacilli&lt;/em&gt; count. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusions. &lt;/strong&gt;The tested feed supplements displayed beneficial impacts and positive role on broilers productive performance and improved their gut health and function through enhancement of the intestinal microbiota. &lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Yiqi Qingre Xiaozheng formula protects against diabetic nephropathy by restoring autophagy in mice

To evaluate the protective effect of Yiqi Qingre Xiaozheng formula (YQQRXZF) via the regulation of autophagy in diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice induced by injection of streptozotocin (STZ) after high fat diet (HFD). The composition of YQQRXZF was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI/MSn). The DN model was induced by intraperitoneally injection of 50 mg/kg STZ within 5 days, followed by HFD feeding for 8 weeks in C57BL/6J mice. Mice were randomly separated into DN group, YQQRXZF group, irbesartan group, and control group. Blood glucose was calculated, and body weight was measured every 2 weeks. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) before and after treatment, and the serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (Scr) were measured. In addition, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, Masson’s trichrome staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to observe pathological changes in renal tissue. Autophagy levels were determined by immunofluorescence staining. In this study, 21 dominant chemical constituents were identified in YQQRXZF. The treatment group reduced uACR in a more significant way than the DN group (P = .018). The treatment group reduced TC, TG, and LDL concentrations after YQQRXFF treatment (P = .021, P = .014 and P = .026, respectively). H&E, PAS, and Masson staining showed that pathological damage to mice kidneys improved, the volume of renal glomeruli was reduced, and glomerular sclerosis and fibrosis were reduced. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that expressions of LC3-Ⅱprotein increased in the treatment group (P = .013). In contrast, the protein expressions of P62 were reduced after treatment (P = .025). YQQRXZF effectively attenuates kidney injury, probably by regulating autophagy.

Echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac function among male adolescents at high risk of coronary heart disease

Background and aim Obesity, and family history (smoking, obesity, and hypertension) are the most important risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) among adolescents. The study aims to evaluate the cardiac function among male adolescents at high risk for coronary heart disease. Patients and methods A total of 100 male adolescents were selected by written questionnaire in addition to 30 normal adolescents as control. Thorough history taking and physical examination. Echocardiographic examination, serum lipids, and routine laboratory investigations. Results Obesity, and a family history of (smoking, hypertension, and obesity) are among the most frequent risk factors for CHD among male adolescents. We found a statistically significant elevated concentration of serum cholesterol and triglyceride and a significant decrease in high-density lipoprotein levels among diabetic and hypertensive children in addition to a significantly elevated concentration of serum low-density lipoprotein among hypertensive children and children with a sedentary lifestyle. The echocardiography reflects a significant increase in early and decreases in late diastolic flow velocity (E and A) among hypertensive and obese adolescents versus controls. A statistically significant differences between diabetics and controls for left ventricular posterior wall diameter, inter-ventricular septal diameter, and early and late diastolic flow velocity. Conclusion Obesity and a family history of smoking, obesity, and hypertension are among the most frequent risk factors for CHD among male adolescents. Echocardiography and lipid profiles should be performed for any adolescent at high risk for development of CHD.

تأثير إضافة مستويات مختلفة من مسحوق البصل الى علائق فروج اللحم في بعض الصفات الفسلجية

Between October 15, 2021, and November 26, 2021, this study was carried out in the broiler field at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad in Abu Ghraib to examine the effects of adding various dosages of onion powder, "Allium cepa linn", to broiler chicks' diets on the physiological characteristics. The experiment employed 225 unsexed (Ross 308) one-day-old broiler chicks with an average weight of 40g. A total of 225 chicks were divided into 5 treatments by three replicates in each treatment with 15 chicks per replicate randomly. The experimental treatments were as follows: The chicks were first fed starter ration from one day old to 21 d old, after which they were fed a finisher diet from 22 to 42 d old. The treatments were described as T1 (control treatment): basal diet without onion powder addition, T2: basal diet with 2g/kg of onion powder/kg of feed, T3: basal diet with …….. 4g/kg of feed of onion powder as part of the T3 treatment. Both the T4 treatment and the T5 treatment added onion powder at rates of 6g and 8g per kilogram of feed, respectively. The experiments findings suggested the following: There was a significant decrease (P&lt;0.05) in the level of serum cholesterol concentration for the T2 treatment compared to that of the T1 controlled treatment. However, the T2 treatment did not differ significantly with the T3, T4 and T5 treatments. When comparing the level of the liver enzymes AST and ALT for the T5 treatment to that of the T1 controlled treatment, there was a significant improvement (P&lt;0.05). While there was little difference between the T5 treatment and the T2, T3, and T4 treatments.

The effect of hydroxychloroquine on cholesterol metabolism in statin treated patients after myocardial infarction

Background and aimsTo evaluate the effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on serum and lipoprotein lipids and serum biomarkers of cholesterol synthesis and absorption in myocardial infarction patients with a high-dose statin. MethodsMyocardial infarction patients (n = 59) with a constant statin dose were randomized to receive hydroxychloroquine 300 mg (n = 31) or placebo (n = 28) daily for six months and followed up for one year. ResultsStatin reduced total-c (−26 ± 22% in hydroxychloroquine and −28 ± 19% in placebo group, P = 0.931), LDL-c (−38 ± 26% vs. −44 ± 23%, respectively, P = 0.299), and cholesterol synthesis biomarkers zymostenol, desmosterol, and lathosterol ratios from baseline to one year (e.g., serum lathosterol ratio −17 ± 45% vs. −15 ± 41%, respectively, P < 0.001 for both, P = 0.623 between groups). Compensatorily, cholesterol absorption increased during the intervention (e.g., serum campesterol ratio 125 ± 90% vs. 113 ± 72%, respectively, P < 0.001 for both, P = 0.488 between groups). Hydroxychloroquine did not affect cholesterol concentrations or cholesterol absorption. It prevented the statin-induced increase in cholesterol precursor, desmosterol ratio, from six months to one year in the hydroxychloroquine group (P = 0.007 at one year compared to placebo). ConclusionsCombined with a high-dose statin, hydroxychloroquine had no additional effect on serum cholesterol concentration or cholesterol absorption. However, the findings suggest that hydroxychloroquine interferes with lanosterol synthesis, and thereafter, it temporarily interferes with the cholesterol synthesis pathway, best seen in halting the increase of the desmosterol ratio.Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02648464.

Effect of enzymolytic soybean meal supplementation on performance, nitrogen excretion, serum biochemical parameters and intestinal morphology in broilers fed low-protein diets.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation with enzymolytic soybean meal (ESBM) on broilers fed low crude protein (CP) diets. A total of 360 one-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to six treatments with 6 replicates per treatment and 10 chicks per replicate for a period of 42 days. Chicks were fed a basal standard high-CP diet as a positive control (PC), a low-CP diet (reducing 10 g/kg CP from the PC) as a negative control (NC), or an NC + 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, or 2.0% ESBM diet. Compared to chicks fed the PC, chicks fed the NC had a decreased body weight gain (BWG, p<0.05) from 1 to 42 days, but supplementation with 2.0% ESBM restored BWG (p<0.05) and even linearly improved the feed conversion rate (FCR, p<0.05). Digestibility of CP and ether extract was increased (p<0.05) in chicks fed a 1.0% ESBM diet compared to the PC. With increasing levels of ESBM, nitrogen (N) excretion decreased (p<0.05). The addition of ESBM to the diet did not affect (p>0.05) serum concentrations of total protein, albumin and total cholesterol but led to a descending trend in triglycerides and an ascending trend in calcium and urea N at 42 days (p<0.10). There were no differences (p>0.05) in villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), and VH/CD (V/C) of the duodenum and jejunum between the PC and NC at both 21 days and 42 days, while increasing dietary ESBM levels linearly (p<0.05) decreased CD and increased V/C of the duodenum and jejunum at both 21 days and 42 days. The findings indicated that ESBM could be used in broiler low-CP diets to improve production performance, decrease N excretion, and enhance intestinal health.

EFFECT OF GALLIC ACID ON LIPID PROFILE AND ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN CADMIUM CHLORIDE TREATED RATS

This study was aimed to explore the role of gallic acid (GA) in ameliorating in reducing adverse effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) on antioxidant status and lipid profile in adult male rats. Twenty-eight (28) adult male rats were divided randomly into four equal groups; they were daily handled for 30 days, as follows: control group (C), received tap water only. (G1), received 100ppm of CdCl2 in drinking tap water, animals in proceeding groups were given in addition to CdCl2 in drinking water the following: intraperitoneal injection of GA 100 mg/kg. daily (G2 group) and the combination of GA and CdCl2 were given to rats in group (G3) in the same pattern. At the end of the experiment, fasting blood samples were collected and serum was isolated for measuring of antioxidant status and lipid profile. The results showed that administration CdCl2 (G1 group) caused a case of dyslipidemia illustrated by significant elevation in serum cholesterol concentration in lipoprotein low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TAG) and non-HDL-C accompanied with significant decrease in cholesterol of high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) concentrations. The results also revealed a significant elevation in lipid indices including, coronary risk index (CRI), and cardiovascular risk index (CVRI) in CdCl2 exposed rats. While significant elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduction in (GSH) concentrations observed in the same group comparing to gallic acid and control group, indicating a case of oxidative stress. The current results also recorded that intraperitoneal injection of GA against CdCl2 caused amelioration of all previously estimated parameters.

Antiatherogenic Potential of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation in a High-Fructose/High-Fat Diet: Experimental Randomized Trial

Background. Transcranial electrical stimulation is a promising method for correction of malnutrition-induced hyperlipidemia, in the absence of indications for drug hypolipidemic therapy in young and middle-aged patients with low and moderate cardiovascular risk. Objectives — to study the effect of transcranial electrical stimulation on lipid metabolism in a high-fructose/high-fat (HFHF) diet in rats.Methods. An experimental randomized trial was performed to study the effect of transcranial electrical stimulation on lipid metabolism in a high-calorie diet enriched with fructose and saturated animal fat in rats. The experiments involved 180 outbred male rats and were carried out on the basis of the vivarium of Kuban State Medical University. The animals were divided into three groups: group 1 (control group, n = 60) — followed a standard diet; group 2 (comparison group, n = 60) — followed a HFHF diet; group 3 (experimental group, n = 60) — underwent transcranial electrical stimulation against the background of a HFHF diet. According to the target reference point of the study, the groups were divided into three equal subgroups of 20 rats each: subgroup A — day 30, subgroup B — day 60, and subgroup C — day 90 (biomaterial sampling and euthanasia were carried out on those days). In the obtained blood samples, the following lipid metabolism parameters were evaluated: total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and atherogenic index. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Office Excel 2021 (Microsoft, USA), GraphPadPrism 9 (GraphPad Software, USA) and Statistica 13.3 (StatSoft, USA).Results. On the 30th day of the study, it was noted that in group 3, the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 14.9% lower and the atherogenic index was 30.8% lower (p &lt; 0.05) than in group 2, while total cholesterol concentration, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol had no statistically significant differences (p &gt; 0.05). On the 60th day of the study, in group 3, when compared to group 2, the concentration of total cholesterol was 18.7% lower, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 42.9% lower, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 16.7% higher, and the atherogenic index was 56.3% lower (p &lt; 0.05), while triglycerides had no statistically significant differences (p &gt; 0.05). On the 90th day of the study, in group 3, when compared to group 2, the concentration of total cholesterol was 29.2% lower, the concentration of triglycerides was 36.0% lower, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 42.8% lower, and the atherogenic index was 57.0% lower (p &lt; 0.05), while the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol had no statistically significant differences (p &gt; 0.05).Conclusion. High-fructose/high-fat diet leads to a progressive increase in the serum concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, as well as to a moderate decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and a growth in the atherogenic index. Transcranial electrical stimulation has a moderate lipid-lowering effect, manifested in the form of a decrease in the serum concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and atherogenic index, while the effect on the concentration of triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is insignificant.

Salivary cholesterol level does not reflect cholesterolemia in children with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

ObjectivesHeterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is a common genetic disease responsible for premature atherosclerosis. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are recommended to reduce cardiovascular risk. Usually, the screening is based on high plasma LDL-cholesterol. In children, blood testing is often an obstacle for screening. This study aims to evaluate the relevance of a salivary non-invasive LDL dosage in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in a pediatric population. Materials and methodsProspective, case control, monocentric study comparaing the salivary cholesterol of 30 heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia pediatric patients and 30 healthy age-matched controls with two different enzymatic kits (Amplite™ kit - AAT Bioquest® and Total Cholesterol Assay kit - CELL BIOLABS®, Inc). ResultsWhile the median serum total-cholesterol was significantly different in control and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia patients as expected, the median salivary cholesterol concentration was similar between the two groups and 1000 times lower than in serum. No correlation was found between salivary and serum cholesterol concentrations. ConclusionAlthough cholesterol is detectable in saliva, our study suggests that the low salivary cholesterol concentrations result mostly from variable gingival bleeding, precluding any reliable use for Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia screening in children.

STUDY OF THYROID PROFILE, URIC ACID, CREATININE AND LIPID PROFILE IN PRE-ECLAMPSIA PATIENT

Objectives: (1) To evaluate and compare the thyroid profile and lipid profile in preeclampsia in a normotensive pregnant female in the third trimester of pregnancy. (2) To estimate and compare serum uric acid and serum creatinine in preeclampsia in normotensive pregnant females. Methods: In the present study, 154 patients, of which 79 preeclampsia (cases) and 75 (controls), were selected randomly and matched with their gestational age in patients who attended an ANC clinic at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur, from March 2016 to August 2017. All patients were evaluated for their lipid profile, thyroid profile, serum uric acid, and serum creatinine. The study includes patient’s specific detailed clinical history, physical examination findings, and a report of relevant investigations recorded from the patient who presented with pre-eclampsia and normotensive pregnant female attending the ANC Clinic of N.S.C.B. Medical College, Jabalpur. Results: The most common age group for preeclampsia was 20–24 years. Preeclampsia was most common in the nullipara as compared to the multipara. Pre-eclampsia cases commonly occur in low-socioeconomic and rural areas. In this study, pre-eclamptic women showed higher serum concentrations of total cholesterol (221.60±22.55), low density lipoprotein (LDL) (134.44±16.96), Very LDL (48.48±6.88) and Triglyceride (243.50±32.33) when compared to normotensive women, which was statistically significant. In this study, a statistically significant decrease in HDLC (34.55±5.37) was observed in pre-eclamptic women. An increase in serum creatinine was observed in women with pre-eclampsia. The mean serum creatinine level was (1.21±0.47). Conclusion: Our study concludes that nulliparous and low-socio-economic women had a higher risk of pre-eclampsia. Maternal age between 20 and 24 years are more prone to develop pre-eclampsia. Serum uric acid levels are significantly higher in pre-eclampsia patients and could be a useful indicator of maternal and fetal complications in hypertensive patients.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease combined with rheumatoid arthritis exacerbates liver fibrosis by stimulating co-localization of PTRF and TLR4 in rats.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a high prevalence in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. To address this, our study established a rat model with both NAFLD and RA by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) and administering intradermal injection of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) with bovine type II collagen. Collagen-induced RA (CIA) was confirmed by hind paw swelling and histological examination. The histomorphological characteristics of NAFLD were evaluated by Masson's trichrome and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The development of NAFLD was further evaluated by measuring serum concentrations of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (T-CHO), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results showed that HFD feeding exacerbated secondary inflammation in CIA rats, whereas FCA/bovine type II collagen injection increased serum levels of ALT, AST, TG, T-CHO, and LPS and exacerbated hepatic fibrosis in both normal and NAFLD rats. Interestingly, NAFLD + CIA significantly promoted the expression of PTRF, a caveolae structure protein involved in hepatic lipid metabolism and affecting downstream signaling of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and PI3K/Akt activation. High resolution confocal microscopy revealed increased PTRF and TLR4 co-localization in hepatic small vessels of NAFLD + CIA rats. AAV9-mediated PTRF knockdown inhibited TLR4 signaling and alleviated hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD + CIA rats. Together, these findings indicate that NAFLD combined with CIA causes synovial injury and enhances non-alcoholic fatty liver fibrosis in rats. PTRF could attenuate the symptoms of NAFLD + CIA likely by affecting TLR4/PTRF co-expression and downstream signaling.

Obesity and age on post-breeding endometritis in the mare

Obesity has been associated with uterine dysfunctions in the pregnant mare (Sessions-B et al, Biology of Reproduction, 2018: 99(4), 761-772). This study hypothesized that obesity itself (body condition score, BCS) affected parameters associated with post-breeding endometritis. Mares (n=17) were classified by their BCS (Henneke et al., 1983) in obese (>7, n=6) and normal-weight (<7, n=11) and age group in mature (5 to 14 years, n=9) and aged mares (15 to 21 years, n=8). Transrectal ultrasonography was performed every day and oedema score and intrauterine fluid diameter were determined at insemination and 8 hours afterwards when a low volume (50 mL) uterine flush with PBS was performed (lavage). Neutrophils were counted using a Neubauer camera and the flush was centrifuged; the supernatant was frozen for metabolite determination by spectrophotometry. Blood samples were taken at this moment also for metabolite determination. Data were analyzed with PROC MIXED (SAS) including BCS and age as fixed effects. Data not normal was log-transformed. Obese mares tended to present greater neutrophil counts than normal-weight mares (43.6±8.3 vs 28.8±5.7 × 106/mL P=0.08); aged mares had greater counts than mature mares(46.7±7.7 vs 21.0±6.3 × 106/mL P=0.02). No effect of age or BCS was found on oedema and IUF at insemination or lavage. In serum, glucose, triglycerides, albumin, and urea concentrations were unaffected. Serum cholesterol concentrations were affected by BCS (P<0.01) and tended to be affected by age (P<0.09). Serum globulin concentrations were not affected by BCS, but aged mares had greater concentrations than mature mares (P=0.05). In the intrauterine fluid, BCS did not affect albumin or glucose concentration nor did age affect them. No effect was observed in cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations in the IUF. Although urea concentrations in the IUF were not affected by BCS, aged mares had greater concentrations than mature mares (1.22±0.23 vs 0.37±0.19 mM, P=0.016). Although the number of animals is limited, data shows that obesity and age are associated with greater neutrophil counts in the uterine lumen 8 hours after insemination, suggesting an altered uterine clearance in these mares. As far as we know this is the first description of metabolites in IUF according to obesity and age, showing significantly greater urea concentrations in the aged group.

Antidiabetic and antioxidant effect of magnetic and noble metal nanoparticles of Clitoria ternatea

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic endocrine disorder associated with diabetic complications that result in microvascular and macrovascular complications due to oxidative stress, neurodegeneration, and peripheral cell damage. Oxidative stress is characterized by the development of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which progresses by hampering antioxidant enzyme activities. Phytomolecules from different plant sources like leaves, flowers, fruits, etc are reported to possess super-antioxidant properties. Hence these phytomolecules can be good leads in the treatment and management of diabetes. Metal nanoparticles have evolved to increase the potency, efficacy, and safety of different drug delivery systems owing to their superior physicochemical properties. This research work is designed for the synthesis of magnetic and noble metal nanoparticles by green synthesis of fresh flower aqueous extract of Clitoria ternatea. A mechanistic evaluation of the magnetic (cobalt oxide) and noble metal (gold) nanoparticles has been designed by in-vitro and in-vivo models of a streptozotocin-induced diabetes model. The cobalt oxide and gold nanoparticles showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the diabetic enzyme levels (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase). In vitro and in vivo studies of the antioxidant activity of both nanoparticles also revealed the increased potential of antioxidant activity. In-vivo studies of both nanoparticles exhibited anti-diabetic properties by significantly enhancing the level of insulin. The cholesterol profiling of both nanoparticles proved the reduction of levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, VLDL, LDL, and creatinine content signifying the decreasing risk of macrovascular complications associated with diabetes. However, gold nanoparticles produced a more protective effect as compared to cobalt oxide nanoparticles. The study concludes that the magnetic and gold nanoparticles conjugated with Clitoria ternatea exhibited potential anti-diabetic and antioxidant activities in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model.

Serum lipids concentration on prognosis of high-grade glioma.

To investigate the effect of serum lipids concentration on the prognosis of high-grade glioma patients undergoing postoperative radiotherapy. Retrospective analysis of the patients with high-grade glioma who received postoperative Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy between 13 May 2013 and 12 September 2018 was performed. The patients were grouped according to the average values of serum total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL concentration in peripheral blood (before surgery, 6months after therapy). Cox proportional hazards model was performed to determine whether the total cholesterol concentration, LDL concentration, and HDL concentration in peripheral blood before therapy and their changes after therapy were factors influencing the prognosis. The results of COX regression analysis showed that the independent prognostic factors of high-grade glioma patients were pathological grade, the extent of resection, serum cholesterol concentration pre-surgery, and the change of LDL concentration from pre-surgery to post-therapy. The prognosis of patients with high serum total cholesterol concentration before therapy was worse than those of patients with low total cholesterol concentration. The 5-year survival rate and the median survival time of patients with high serum total cholesterol concentration before therapy were 4.9% and 23.6months, but the low cholesterol concentration group were 19.6% and 24.5months, respectively. Besides, the average serum LDL concentration in high-grade glioma patients gradually increased after therapy. The 5-year survival rate of patients and the median survival time with elevated LDL concentration after therapy is 11.8% and 20.4months, but the reduced LDL concentration group was 16.7% and 28.4months, respectively. The total cholesterol and LDL concentration increased significantly after therapy in Grade IV patients while Grade III patients did not. The cholesterol concentration before therapy and LDL concentration change from pre-surgery to post-therapy are the factors that affect the prognosis of high-grade glioma patients who have undergone postoperative radiotherapy. In the final analysis, the high serum cholesterol pre-surgery and the increased in serum LDL concentration from pre-surgery to post-therapy were associated with worse survival of patients.

Association between serum leptin concentrations and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance of 2.5 and higher in normal weight Japanese women

Normal weight insulin resistant phenotype was characterized in 251 Japanese female university students using homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance. Birth weight, body composition at age 20, cardiometabolic traits and dietary intake were compared cross-sectionally between insulin sensitive (< 1.6, n = 194) and insulin resistant (2.5 and higher, n = 16) women. BMI averaged < 21 kg/m2 and waist < 72 cm and did not differ between two groups. The percentage of macrosomia and serum absolute and fat-mass corrected leptin concentrations were higher in insulin resistant women although there was no difference in birth weight, fat mass index, trunk/leg fat ratio and serum adiponectin. In addition, resting pulse rate, serum concentrations of free fatty acids, triglycerides and remnant-like particle cholesterol were higher in insulin resistant women although HDL cholesterol and blood pressure did not differ. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, serum leptin (odds ratio:1.68, 95% confidential interval:1.08–2.63, p = 0.02) was associated with normal weight insulin resistance independently of macrosomia, free fatty acids, triglycerides, remnant-like particle cholesterol and resting pulse rate. In conclusion, normal weight IR phenotype may be associated with increased plasma leptin concentrations and leptin to fat mass ratio in young Japanese women, suggesting higher leptin production by body fat unit.

Effects of day-of-hatch intramuscular administration of a herbal extract mixture and its re-supplementation in drinking water on growth performance, stress indicators, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens reared under hot summer conditions.

Broilers under oxidative stress from high ambient temperatures may benefit from the use of additives that have antioxidant properties. This experiment investigated the efficacy of a herbal extract mixture (HEM; aqueous extracts from Ferula gummosa, Thymus vulgaris, and Trachyspermum copticum) in day-old chicks, injected intramuscular (deep pectoral muscle; (0, 30, 60, and 90 μL/0.1 mL of sterilized and distilled water)), and supplemented in drinking water (0 and 0.25 mL/L) during the rearing period. Broilers were reared in battery cages under summer temperature conditions, with average maximum temperature of 35.5°C, average minimum temperature of 25.5°C, and average relative humidity of 50-60%. A total of 400 1-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 8 treatment groups (5 replicates/treatment with 10 birds per replicate). From d1 to d10, the indoor air temperature was adjusted to match fluctuating outdoor summer temperatures, and was set at 30-34°C and 50-60% relative humidity; and from d10 onwards, no adjustments were made. Injection of HEM linearly decreased feed:gain (P = 0.005), heterophile-to-lymphocyte (H/L) ratio (P = 0.007), and serum concentrations of cholesterol (P = 0.008), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (P < 0.001), malondialdehyde (P = 0.005), and cortisol (P = 0.008). The 60 μL of HEM injection produced the best results in terms of final body weight (BW; P = 0.003), overall average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.002), European performance index (P < 0.001), carcass yield (P < 0.001), and serum glutathione peroxidase activity (P < 0.001). Supplementation of HEM in drinking water also increased final BW (P = 0.048), overall ADG (P = 0.047), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.042), and total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.030), while decreasing the H/L ratio (P = 0.004) and serum LDL concentration (P = 0.031). There were interactions between injection and water supplementation for BW (day 24; P = 0.045), carcass yield (day 42; P = 0.014), and serum superoxide dismutase activity (day 42; P = 0.004). In conclusion, administering an injection of HEM at a dose of 60 μL at the time of hatching, followed by supplementation at a dose of 0.25 mL/L via drinking water during the rearing period could be a useful strategy for improving the performance and health status of heat-stressed broiler chickens.

Multi-omics analysis of hepatopancreas of red seabream (Pagrus major) fed a soybean meal-based diet

Dietary intake of a large amount of soybean meal (SBM) adversely affects the physiological condition and growth of fish, while SBM is a commonly used substitute for fish meal (FM) in aquaculture feed. In the present study, we investigated the effects of feeding an SBM-based diet (SBMD) for 8 weeks on hepatopancreatic metabolic condition in red seabream Pagrus major, using comprehensive analyses of the transcriptome and metabolome. Compared with fish fed an FM-based control diet (FMD), fish fed the SBMD showed delayed growth, decreases in hepatopancreatic somatic index and serum cholesterol concentration, and hepatopancreatic tissue degeneration. Transcriptome sequencing analysis identified 454, 353, and 566 differentially expressed genes at 2, 4, and 8 weeks, respectively. Analysis of the hepatopancreas metabolome using capillary electrophoresis-time-of-flight mass spectrometry identified 301 quantifiable metabolites in the FMD and SBMD groups. Transcriptome analysis showed increases in gene expression levels in the terpenoid and steroid biosynthesis pathways, suggesting that hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis was up-regulated in the SBMD group. In addition, the results of transcriptome and metabolome analyses suggested that the SBMD affects glutathione and glycine metabolism. These findings provide valuable information that enhances our understanding of the effects of dietary SBM intake on red seabream metabolism.

Association between Polyphenol Intake and Lipid Profile of Adults and Elders in a Northeastern Brazilian Capital

This research was aimed at evaluating the relationship between the estimated polyphenol intake and the atherogenic lipid profile in adult and elder residents in the city of Teresina, located in the Northeastern Region of Brazil. This study was a cross-sectional population-based survey with 501 adults and elders, conducted in Teresina, Brazil. Food intake was obtained by 24-h food recall. The estimated polyphenol intake was calculated by multiplying the food consumption data from the recall by the polyphenol content in the foods described in the Phenol-Explorer database. The mean intake of total polyphenols was 1006.53 mg/day. The phenolic acids was the class with the highest intake, followed by the flavonols. Coffee, beans and apples were the main foods contributing to the total polyphenol intake. In the individuals with elevated serum concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides, the intake of total polyphenols was significantly higher. The intake of total polyphenols, phenolic acids and lignans was higher in the subjects with dyslipidemia. This article provides, for the first time, data on the intake of the total polyphenol classes and subclasses in the evaluated population and the relationship with the lipid profile. The individuals with a higher intake of total polyphenols had a worse lipid profile, which may be a consequence of an improved diet in those individuals who present with dyslipidemia.

Evaluation of serum adipocytokine and interleukin-18 levels in patients with epilepsy

Objective: Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by recurrent seizures. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in epilepsy are not fully known. Our aim is to investigate the relationship between serum adipocytokine and interleukin (IL)-18 levels in epilepsy patients receiving and not receiving antiepileptic therapy.&#x0D; &#x0D; Method: Our study was established as three groups. I: Epilepsy patients receiving antiepileptic therapy (n=30), II: Newly diagnosed epilepsy patients (n=30) and III: Control group (n=30). Serum adipocytokine and IL-18 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassorbent assay method.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: It was determined that serum adipocytokine and IL-18 levels were increased in epilepsy patients who received topiramate treatment and did not receive antiepileptic therapy compared to the control group. Serum glucose, total protein, cholesterol and albumin concentrations of patients who received antiepileptic treatment were decreased compared to the control group (p0.05). It was found that the body mass index (BMI) ratio of epilepsy patients who received antiepileptic treatment decreased and was significant compared to the control group and the group that did not receive treatment (p