Significant Decrease In Body Weight Gain Research Articles

Effect of Transgenic Cotton Expressing Bt Cry1Ac or Cry1Ab/Ac Toxins on Lacewing Larvae Mediated by Herbivorous Insect Pests.

A simple food chain (plant, insect pests, and predatory arthropods) in an agro-ecosystem was set up here as a model system to elucidate the potential effect of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton on non-target organisms. The system included transgenic/non-transgenic cotton, neonate larvae of three herbivorous insects (Spodoptera exigua, Helicoverpa armigera, and S. litura), and predatory lacewing larvae (Chrysopa spp.), which represent the first, second, and third trophic levels, respectively. The results showed that transgenic treatments and different densities of prey had significant effects on both body-weight gain of neonate herbivorous larvae and the number of prey captured by lacewing larvae, respectively. It was found that Bt toxin could persist at the third trophic level in lacewing larvae. The diet mixture bioassay showed that body-weight gain of lacewing larvae was significantly affected by various treatments, especially at lower concentrations of plant-expressed Bt toxin in the diet mixture, which caused significant decreases in body-weight gain. In contrast, synthetic Bt toxin at higher concentrations in the diet did not show this effect. Thus, we inferred that Bt toxin indirectly affected the growth of the lacewings and the lacewings may not be susceptible to Bt toxin or are able to metabolize it.

The Antioxidant Activity of Avocado seeds on Immunosuppression induced by Cyclosporine in Rats

Avocado seeds are containing a variety of essential nutrients and important phytochemicals, exhibited potential antioxidant properties. This study aimed to assess the immune effect of avocado seeds against the Cyclosporine (CsA) immunosuppressive rat model. Twenty four male albino rats used in the experiment .Rats divided into equal 4 groups: (G1) was given basal diet as negative control group (-ve). (G2), received (CsA) (50 mg/kg/day subcutaneous in olive oil for 10 days) then given standard diet for 28 days as positive control group(+ve) .(G3) was fed on basal diet supplemented with avocado seeds powder (5%).(G4), received (CyA) (50 mg/kg/day subcutaneous in olive oil for 10 days) then given basal diet supplemented with avocado seeds powder (5%). The biological parameters were assessed including feed intake (FI), feed efficiency ratio (FER), and body weight gain (BWG). At the end of experimental period (28day) complete blood picture, Red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) were measured. Total serum immunoglobulins (IgG , IgA and IgM) and TNF-α were examined .Total protein and albumin were determined . Histopathological examination for spleen was done. Also the antioxidant enzymes (SOD,CAT and GPx) and MDA were assessed in spleen tissues The results indicated a significant decrease in BWG, FI, and FER in rats treated with CsA. Also showed that CsA caused decrease in RBCs, WBCs counts, hemoglobin, and platelets. CsA administration showed significant decrease in serum immunoglobulins and increase TNF-α. Furthermore increase in MDA and decrease in the antioxidant enzymes. Supplementation with avocado seeds powder with CsA ,improved activity of antioxidant enzymes in spleen tissue and serum immunoglobulins. The result indicated that, avocado seeds can improve the immune system against the CsA immunosuppressive rats. تحتوي بذور الأفوکادو على مجموعة متنوعة من العناصر الغذائية الأساسية والمواد الکيميائية النباتية الهامة ، والتي تظهر خصائص محتملة مضادة للأکسدة. هدفت الدراسة الحالية إلى تقييم التأثير المناعي لبذور الأفوکادو ضد نموذج الفئران المثبط للمناعة عقار السيکلوسوبرومين . تم استخدام أربعة وعشرين فأرا ألبينو في التجربة. قسمت الجرذان إلى 4 مجموعات: (مج1) ، أعطيت النظام الغذائي القياسي کمجموعة ضابطة سلبية ، (مج 2) حصل على السيکلوسبورين )50) مجم / کجم / يوم تحت الجلد في زيت الزيتون لمدة 10 أيام) ، ثم أعطي النظام الغذائي القياسي لمدة 28 يوما کمجموعة ضابطة إيجابية.( مج3 ) علي الوجبة القياسية مدعمة بمسحوق بذور الأفوکادو (5٪). (مج 4) حقنت بالسيکلوسبورين (50) ( مجم / کجم / يوم تحت الجلد بزيت الزيتون لمدة 10 أيام) ثم أعطيت الوجبة القياسية مدعمة بمسحوق بذور الأفوکادو (5٪). تم تقييم المؤشرات البيولوجية بما في ذلک الطعام المتناول ، ونسبة کفاءة التغذية ، وأوزان الجسم. في نهاية الفترة التجريبية (28 يوما) تم قياس صورة الدم الکاملة ، تم قياس خلايا الدم الحمراء (کرات الدم الحمراء) وخلايا الدم البيضاء. تم فحص الجلوبيولين المناعي الکلي في الدم والأجسام المناعية وتم تحديد البروتين الکلي والألبومين. تم فحص الأنسجة في الطحال. أشارت النتائج إلى انخفاض معنوي في الطعام المتناول ، ونسبة کفاءة التغذية ، وأوزان الجسم في الفئران المعالجة بـالسيکلوسوبرومين. وأظهرت أن السيکلوسوبرومين يقلل من عدد کرات الدم الحمراء وعدد کرات الدم البيضاء والهيموجلوبين في الدم والصفائح الدموية. أظهرت نتائج الحقن بعقار السيکلوسوبرومين انخفاضا کبيرا في الجلوبيولين المناعي في الدم والأجسام المناعية بالإضافة إلى زيادة المالندهاليد في أنسجة الطحال. المکمل بمسحوق بذور الأفوکادو مع السيکلوسوبرومين ، وتحسين نشاط الإنزيمات المضادة للأکسدة في أنسجة الطحال والجلوبولين المناعي في الدم. أشارت النتيجة إلى أن بذور الأفوکادو حسنت جهاز المناعة في الفئران التي حقنت بعقار السيکلوسوبرومين المثبط للمناعة.

Co-therapeutic effects of metformin and Sidr fruits and leaves in experimental diabetic rats

Many diabetic patients prefer to use herbal medicine and treated with conventional drugs, concurrently. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the co-therapeutic effects of Sidr(Zizyphusspina-christi L.) fruits or leaves and metformin in diabetic rats. Forty two adult male albino rats were used and divided into seven groups (G1-G7). G1 was kept on basal diet (negative control), while other groups were subcutaneously injected with alloxan (120 mg/kg body weight).G2 was kept untreated as a positive control, while the other alloxan -injected groups were treated with metformin (100 mg/kg body weight) as a reference drug (G3), or fed on basal diet supplemented with 5% of either Sidr fruits (SFP) or leaves powder (SLP) (G4 and G5, respectively). G6 and G7 received combined treatments (metformin + SFP and metformin + SLP, respectively). The curative period lasted for 4 weeks. By its end, body weight gain (BWG) and relative weights of liver, kidneys and pancreas were calculated. Fasting glucose, insulin, amylase activity, liver glycogen, lipid profile as well as liver and kidney functions were determined. The typical manifestations of diabetes were noticed in untreated diabetic group including hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia.Moreover, a significant increase in serum amylase activity and relative liver and kidney weights was noticed associated with dyslipidemia, liver and kidney dysfunction and a significant decrease in BWG and absolute pancreas weight along with marked histopathological abnormalities in pancreas tissue.SFP was more effective than SLP in normalizing body weight, pancreas weight and liver antioxidant status, while the capability of SLP was higher in correcting the level of serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (bad cholesterol). In general, receiving combined treatments was more efficient than receiving metformin alone.In conclusion, Sidr fruits and leaves can help metformin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Role of thymulin on the somatotropic axis in vivo

AimsThere is clear evidence for the existence of a bi-directional thymus–somatotropic axis and several studies suggest that the thymic peptide thymulin may be involved in this communication. We undertook to assess the impact of serum thymulin immunoneutralization in C57BL/6 mice and that of neonatal thymulin gene therapy (NTGT) in nude mice on body weight (BW) gain and on the histomorphometric profile of the somatotrope population. Main methodsImmunoneutralization of thymulin was done from postnatal day 1 to 35 by i.p. injections of rabbit anti-thymulin serum (α-FTS) and normal rabbit serum (NRS) in controls. NTGT was implemented in nudes using an adenoviral vector expressing a synthetic gene for thymulin (RAd-FTS). On postnatal day 1, heterozygous (nu/+) and homozygous (nu/nu) pups received a single bilateral i.m. injection either RAd-FTS or RAd-GFP (a control vector expressing green fluorescent protein). BW gain was recorded and at the end of the study the pituitaries were immunostained for growth hormone (GH). Serum GH and thymulin were determined by radioimmunoassay and bioassay, respectively. Key findingsThymulin immunoneutralization induced a significant decrease in BW gain, serum GH and somatotrope cell density as well as an increase in somatotrope cell size. NTGT markedly increased BW gain, serum thymulin (P<0.01) and somatotrope cell and volume density in nu/nu mice. SignificanceOur results suggest that thymulin plays a relevant physiological role on the thymus–somatotropic axis in mice.

Subchronic oral toxicity of 4-chloro-α,α,α-trifluorotoluene in sprague-dawley rats

The subchronic oral toxicity of 4-chloro-α,α,α-trifluorotoluene (CTT) was assessed in Sprague Dawley rats. Four groups of six male and six female rats were treated daily for 28 days, by gavage, with doses of 0, 10, 100 and 1000 mg CTT/kg body weight using olive oil as a vehicle. No clinical signs were observed, other than salivation in the high-dose group in the last week. The males of this group showed a significant decrease in body-weight gain without a concurrent decrease in food consumption. In males, there were significant dose-dependent increases in blood cholesterol and triglycerides, suggestive of alterations in lipid metabolism. The females showed only a small dose-related increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase. Specific histological alterations were found in the males given 1000 mg/kg/day, namely hyaline droplet nephrosis, along with a significant increase in relative kidney weight, and an increase in lipid vacuoles in the adrenal cortex. Slight nephrosis was also observed in males given 100 mg/kg. Both male and female rats showed a significant increase in relative liver weight at a dose of 1000 mg CTT/kg. CTT appears to have a low subchronic oral toxicity. Neither pathological nor biochemical alterations were found at 10 mg/kg body weight/day and this can be defined as the no-observable-effect level (NOEL).

A teratogenicity study of Phloxine B in ICR mice

Pregnant Jcl:ICR mice were given Phloxine B in the diet at concentrations of 0, 1, 3 and 5% from the morning of day 6 through day 16 of gestation. The mice were killed on day 18 and foetuses were examined for external, visceral and skeletal anomalies. A significant decrease in body-weight gain was observed in all of the treated groups. Among the dams in the high-dose group, two maternal deaths, one abortion and a significant increase in liver weight were observed. A dose-related incidence of splitting of the cervical vertebral arches (nos 3–6) was noted in all of the treated groups, but this anomaly was not found in the controls. The total incidence of skeletal anomalies was also dose related and was significantly increased at the 3 and 5% dose levels. It was concluded that Phloxine B was teratogenic in mice at dietary levels of 3 and 5%, levels which resulted in maternal toxicity, and that a finding suggesting a teratogenic effect (split cervical arches) was also noted at the 1% dose level.

Evaluation of brewer's dried grains in the diets of broiler chickens

Isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% of brewer's dried grains (BDG) were given ad libitum to 300 chicks. Three separate periods (0–4, 4–8 and 8–12 weeks of age) were considered. Starter diets were used in Period I and finisher diets in Periods II and III. There was a significant decrease in body-weight gain during Periods I and II, when using 20% or more BDG, and Period III, when using 30% or more, but final body weight was lower only in Period I. Feed efficiency followed the same trend. No diet affected either food intake or dressing percentage. Digestive-tract weight significantly increased ( p < 0.01) on using 20% or more BDG in the first period. Abdominal fat-pad weight significantly decreased ( p < 0.01) with the use of BDG, the effect being more intense in Period III. Body composition was significantly affected only in Period I ( p < 0.05); there was a decrease in muscle content and a similar increase in bone content with the use of 20% or more BDG. Muscle composition was significantly modified in Periods II and III on using 10% or more BDG, there being an increase in protein and a decrease in fat. It appears that brewer's dried grains should not be given in excess of 10% (0–8 weeks) or 20% (8–12 weeks).