Blood Triglyceride Concentrations Research Articles

Antihyperglycemic activity of polysaccharide from Lycium barbarum.

A study was undertaken to evaluate antihyperglycemic activity of polysaccharide from Lycium barbarum (LBP). The various parameters studied included body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in diabetic and normal mice. LBP treatment (20, 40 mg/ kg body weight) for 28days resulted in a significant decrease in the concentration of fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in diabetes mellitus mice. Furthermore, LBP significantly increased body weight (bw). The data demonstrated LBP at the dose of 40 mg/kg bw exhibited the optimal effect. Key words: Polysaccharide from Lycium barbarum, antihyperglycemic.

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant efficacy of dehydrated onion in experimental rats

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant potency of a dehydrated onion product was evaluated in experimental rats maintained for 6 weeks at 5 and 10% dietary levels. Serum cholesterol especially low-density lipoprotein was significantly reduced by dietary dehydrated onion in hypercholesterolemic rats. This was associated with an increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Blood triglyceride concentration in hypercholesterolemic rats was lower in onion supplemented diet group. Glutathione, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol in the blood of hypercholesterolemic rats were higher in onion treatment, while lipid peroxides were lower. Hepatic α-tocopherol concentration was higher in rats maintained on onion diets, while lipid peroxides were reduced. Thus, this study has proved significant cholesterol lowering and antioxidant effect of dehydrated onion product.

Risk factors for impaired glucose tolerance in obese children and adolescents

To investigate which obese children have an increased risk for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), a risk factor for later diabetes. We studied 169 European untreated obese children and adolescents with normal glucose tolerance at baseline. Waist circumference, fasting glucose, lipids, blood pressure, pubertal stage, 2 h glucose in oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT), and HbA1c were determined at baseline and 1 year later. One year after baseline, 19 (11.2%) children demonstrated IGT, 4 (2.4%) children had impaired fasting glucose, no (0%) child suffered from diabetes, and 146 (86%) children still showed normal glucose tolerance. At baseline, the children with IGT and with normal glucose tolerance in a one-year follow-up did not differ significantly in respect of any analyzed parameter, apart from pubertal stage. The children developing IGT entered puberty significantly more frequently (37% vs 3%, P < 0.001). One year after baseline, the children with IGT demonstrated significantly increased waist circumference, blood pressure values, insulin and triglyceride concentrations, and insulin resistance index HOMA. The children remaining in the normal glucose tolerance status 1 year after baseline did not demonstrate any significant changes. During the study period of 1 year, more than 10% of the obese children with normal glucose tolerance converted to IGT. Repeated screening with oGTT seems meaningful in obese children entering puberty or demonstrating increased insulin resistance, waist circumference, blood pressure, or triglyceride concentrations.

Effects of polysaccharide from Lycium barbarum in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of polysaccharide from Lycium barbarum (LBP) in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The various parameters studied included body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in diabetic and normal mice. LBP treatment (20, 40 mg/ kg body weight) for 28 days resulted in a significant decrease in the concentration of fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in diabetes mellitus mice. Furthermore, LBP significantly increased body weight (bw). The data demonstrated LBP at the dose of 40 mg/kg bw exhibited the optimal effect.

Anti-adipocyte scFv-Fc Antibody Suppresses Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Development and Affects Lipid Metabolism in Minipigs

Anti-adipocyte monoclonal antibody has been shown to reduce body fat mass in animals. Here, we investigated the effects of an anti-adipocyte antibody (single-chain variable fragment and crystallizable fragment, scFv-Fc) on pig subcutaneous adipose tissue development and lipid metabolism. The scFv-Fc antibody did not alter feed intake or body weight of treated pigs. It suppressed subcutaneous adipose tissue development by reducing the percentage of larger adipocytes, which led to a reduction in body fat mass and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness. Body fat mass was reduced by reducing triglyceride biosynthesis and promoting triglyceride lipolysis in adipose tissue. There was an increase in lipoprotein lipase mRNA expression in adipose tissue and activity in blood and an enhanced transportation of circulating high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and free fatty acids. Blood concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, glucose, insulin, and adiponectin and mRNA expression of adiponectin in adipose tissue remained unaffected. These findings suggest that anti-adipocyte scFv-Fc antibody may have an application for reducing body fat mass in obese subjects.

Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to echium oil and maintenance of normal blood concentrations of triglycerides (ID 548) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to echium oil and maintenance of normal blood concentrations of triglycerides (ID 548) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Regulation of liver glucokinase activity in rats with fructose-induced insulin resistance and impaired glucose and lipid metabolism

We evaluated the relative role of different regulatory mechanisms, particularly 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase (PFK2/FBPase-2), in liver glucokinase (GK) activity in intact animals with fructose-induced insulin resistance and impaired glucose and lipid metabolism. We measured blood glucose, triglyceride and insulin concentration, glucose tolerance, liver triglyceride content, GK activity, and GK and PFK2 protein and gene expression in fructose-rich diet (FRD) and control rats. After 3 weeks, FRD rats had significantly higher blood glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels, and liver triglyceride content, insulin resistance, and impaired glucose tolerance. FRD rats also had significantly higher GK activity in the cytosolic fraction (18.3 +/- 0.35 vs. 11.27 +/- 0.34 mU/mg protein). Differences in GK protein concentration (116% and 100%) were not significant, suggesting a potentially impaired GK translocation in FRD rats. Although GK transcription level was similar, PFK2 gene expression and protein concentration were 4- and 5-fold higher in the cytosolic fraction of FRD animals. PFK2 immunological blockage significantly decreased GK activity in control and FRD rats; in the latter, this blockage decreased GK activity to control levels. Results suggest that increased liver GK activity might participate in the adaptative response to fructose overload to maintain glucose/triglyceride homeostasis in intact animals. Under these conditions, PFK2 increase would be the main enhancer of GK activity.

Long‐term Exercise Training in Overweight Adolescents Improves Plasma Peptide YY and Resistin

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term exercise training on concentrations of five hormones related to appetite and insulin resistance in overweight adolescents. In addition, we were interested in the relationships of these hormones with each other and with anthropometric and/or cardiovascular disease marker changes. Participants were >or=the 85th percentile for BMI for age and sex and participated in an 8-month supervised aerobic training program. Anthropometrics, cardiovascular fitness assessment, and fasting blood samples were taken pre- and post-training. Glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, leptin, active ghrelin, total peptide YY (PYY), adiponectin, and resistin concentrations were measured. The participants increased their time to exhaustion on an incremental treadmill test and decreased both percent body fat and blood triglyceride concentrations. Total PYY concentration increased and resistin concentration decreased after long-term exercise training, which are favorable outcomes. Leptin concentrations were related to weight, percent body fat, waist circumference, and triglyceride concentrations pre- and post-training. The changes in resistin concentrations were related to the changes in triglyceride concentrations. We conclude that long-term exercise training has beneficial effects for overweight adolescents with respect to PYY and resistin, hormones related to appetite and insulin sensitivity.

Very low-density lipoprotein in the cord blood of preterm neonates

Human fetuses have markedly low levels of serum lipids and a unique lipoprotein profile with respect to quality, with low-density lipoprotein (LDL)–like particle as the dominant cholesterol carrier. However, little is known about triglyceride (TG) distribution. In addition, lipid metabolism is important in lung development, with indications that TG from very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) is essential for surfactant synthesis. We investigated TG distribution in preterm neonate cord blood and the relationship of VLDL-TG levels with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The study included 103 appropriate-for-gestational-age neonates (61 males). We performed serum lipoprotein analyses in cord blood by high-performance liquid chromatography with gel permeation columns. Term neonates had low cord blood TG concentrations distributed equally to the LDL and VLDL fractions. However, preterm neonates had even lower TG concentrations, with VLDL as the dominant carrier. The LDL-TG and high-density lipoprotein–TG concentrations in cord blood increased gradually with gestational age, but cord blood VLDL-TG concentrations increased dramatically from 32 to 34 weeks of gestational age. Neonates with RDS exhibited no RDS-specific lipoprotein profile; however, most were born before the timing of the dramatic VLDL-TG increase. Our results suggest that 34 weeks of gestation is a critical period for TG metabolism, indicating the need for evaluation of the lipid nutritional state in preterm neonates.

Canine Adipose Tissue Transcriptome Changes Following Four Weeks of Rapid Weight Gain

Changes that occur in organs and tissues during the early stages of weight gain prior to the onset of clinical obesity remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to characterize adipose tissue transcriptome changes occurring after 4 wk of rapid weight gain and relate these changes to circulating metabolites. Intact female beagles were fed a commercially available high‐fat diet and randomized to either ad libitum feeding (n=5) or weight maintenance (n=4). Adipose tissue biopsies and blood samples were collected at baseline and at 4 wk. Transcriptome changes were assessed using Affymetrix Canine 2.0 microarrays and analyzed using the Limma package with an FDR = 0.05. After 4 wk, BW, body fat mass, and blood leptin and fasting glucose concentrations were elevated (P&lt;0.05) in dogs fed ad libitum, but blood NEFA, triglyceride, insulin, adiponectin, CRP, and TNF‐α concentrations were unchanged. 139 gene transcripts were differentially expressed in adipose tissue following rapid weight gain. The majority of these changes were observed in 5 functional classes: metabolism, apoptosis/cell cycle regulation, cell adhesion, redox state, and transport. These results indicate that major changes associated with cell growth, metabolism, and redox status occur during rapid weight gain and adipose tissue expansion in the absence of systemic low‐grade inflammation. Funding: Illinois CFAR # CF071‐003‐SENGrant Funding SourceIllinois CFAR # CF071‐003‐SEN

LIPIDS PROFILE IS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTOR ON THE OXIDATIVE STRESS IN A GENERAL HUMAN POPULATION.

AimOxidative stress and inflammation appear to play an important role in the process of ageing and in the associated dysfunction of the human cardiovascular system. In this study we tried to identify which of the cardiovascular risk factors are better related with oxidative stress, in a human population with a wide range of age.MethodsThe study population included subjects (n=160; age range: 18‐84 years) living in the metropolitan area of Murcia (Spain). It were measured general blood biochemical variables, arterial blood pressure and anthropometrical data, as well as plasma concentration of the oxidative stress and inflammation markers, myeloperoxidase (MPO, EIA), C‐reactive protein ultrasensitive (hsCRP; EIA), and malondialdehyde (MDA; HPLC). It were also collected information about personal habits of the subjects (tabaquism, alcohol and diet). Interactions between variables were calculated by correlation (Pearson or Spearman) and multiple regression analyses.ResultsCRP, MPO and MDA were associated to trigliceryds and/or total cholesterol. Multiple regression tests indicated that body mass index was the most influential factor on the lipids variables.ConclusionTo higher blood concentration of triglycerides and total cholesterol more oxidative stress and inflammation in a general human population. Body mass index may be a good marker of this association.

Evaluation of DNA damage and metabolic syndrome parameters in diabetic rabbits supplemented with antioxidants

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the extent of DNA damage in diabetes and metabolic syndrome and to assess the variations after supplementation with antioxidants. We used comet assay to measure DNA damage in freshly isolated lymphocytes from a total of 12 rabbits, distributed into four experimental groups (n = 3 rabbits per group): non-diabetic (control, G1), diabetic (G2), diabetic supplemented with vitamin C (G3), and diabetic supplemented with vitamin E (G4). Also their serum was isolated for estimation of parameters that contribute to metabolic syndrome. Malondialdehyde (MDA), the marker of oxidative stress was also assessed. Mean values of DNA damage (tail length, expressed as mum), lipid peroxidation and concentration of blood glucose, MDA, C-reactive protein, and triglycerides were higher in G2; whereas the mean values of concentration of high-density lipoprotein, serum paraoxonase-1 activity and small dense low-density lipoprotein oxidation time were reduced in G2 followed by G3, G4, and G1. A significant positive correlation was observed between the DNA damage and elevated parameters of metabolic syndrome (r = 0.66, 0.96, 0.89, 0.75, 0.88, 0.92, 0.99, P < 0.05) and a significant negative correlation (r = -0.91, -0.75, -0.98, P < 0.05) was found between the DNA damage and declined parameters of metabolic syndrome. These data indicate that the extent of DNA damage is more in diabetic rabbits as compared to the non-diabetic or antioxidant supplemented group. Abnormal metabolic parameters and their correlation with DNA damage, suggest the risk of development of metabolic syndrome in diabetic group but a possibility of repression by antioxidants because of their ability to counteract oxidative stress.

Insulin resistance in non-diabetic obese patients

Obesity and hyperinsulinemia connected with insulin resistance are the most important factors to manage a diabetic patient. We aimed to investigate the differences in demographic characteristics, insulin, C-peptide, HOMA-IR and CRP levels and lipid abnormalities between diabetic and non-diabetic obese patients. This study was carried out in the outpatient clinic of Internal Medicine. Diabetics (n = 19) and non-diabetics (n = 81), 10 men and 90 women, participated in the study. Age, duration of obesity and body mass index (BMI) and other anthropomorphic data were collected. Venous blood samples were taken, after 12 h of fasting to determine fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, C-peptide, total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) was estimated by using Friedewald formula. Homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated as [fasting insulin (μU/mL) × fasting glucose (mmol/L)/22.5]. Diabetics had longer duration of obesity (p < 0.05) and higher BMI (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.05) and hip circumference values (p < 0.05). CRP, TG levels and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in diabetics (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively) whereas LDL-C and HDL-C levels were lower (p > 0.05) and insulin and C-peptide levels were higher in diabetics without statistical significance (p > 0.05) as shown in the table below. Two group comparisons were performed with Mann–Whitney U test, using SPSS for windows 12.0. Although insulin and C-peptide levels were higher in diabetics without being statistically meaningful, HOMA-IR, as a golden test, was significantly high in diabetics. Obesity is the principal disorder in pathophysiology of diabetes and must be treated rigorously. But it should always be kept in mind that treatment of obesity is frustrating and frequently discouraging. Obese people should be followed up with HOMA-IR.

Preparation and antidiabetic activity of polysaccharide from Portulaca oleracea L.

Extraction parameters of polysaccharide from Portulaca oleracea L. (POP) and antidiabetic activity of POP on alloxan induced diabetic mice were studied. Better extraction parameters of POP were obtained by the single factor test, as follows: extraction temperature 95°C, extraction time 5 h, and ratio of solvent to raw material 40. POP treatment (200, 400 mg/ kg body weight) for 28 days resulted in a significant decrease in the concentration of fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in diabetes mellitus mice. Furthermore, POP significantly increased the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and serum insulin level in diabetes mellitus mice. Our data demonstrated POP at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight (bw) exhibited optimal effect. The above results suggest that polysaccharide extracted from P. oleracea L. can control blood glucose and modulate the metabolism of glucose and blood lipid in diabetes mellitus mice.

Influence of bamboo oil supplementation on blood lipid concentration in serum

The inhibitory activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase and the influence of cholesterol reduction were studied to investigate the effects of bamboo oil on lipid metabolism. The inhibitory activity of HMG-CoA reductase using Phyllostachys bambusoides oil was the highest among the various bamboo oils tested. The inhibition rate of HMG-CoA reductase increased from 7.3 to 89.9% when P. bambusoides oil concentration was increased from 10 to 90 μL/mL. However, when over 110 μL/mL of bamboo oil was used, it was not increased. The total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in blood decreased with the increase of bamboo oil concentration. Especially, when bamboo oil concentration increased from 2.0 to 8.0%, the total cholesterol concentration decreased from 139.6 to 80.4 mg/dL, which was a decrease of about 45% compared to the control. However, the phospholipid concentration was an increase of about 30% compared to the control. HDL cholesterol concentration increased with the increase of bamboo oil concentration. In particular, when bamboo oil increased from 2 to 8.0%, it was increased from 25.7 to 40.2%, which was an increase of about 89% compared to the control. These results suggest that bamboo oil is very effective at improving lipid metabolism and preventing hypercholesterolemia in high-cholesterol-fed rats.

Accuracy of Self-Reported Diabetes, Hypertension, and Hyperlipidemia in the Adult Spanish Population. DINO Study Findings

The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of self-reported diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia in a representative sample of adults (719 men and 837 women) from the south of Spain. Self-reported data were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Biometric data recorded included blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and arterial systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of self-reported diagnoses were calculated using the biometric data as the reference standard. The degree of overall agreement was determined using Cohen's kappa coefficient. The kappa values obtained indicated good agreement for self-reported diabetes (kappa=0.78), moderate agreement for hypertension (kappa=0.51), and minimal agreement for hyperlipidemia (kappa=0.27). Using the information reported, around 70% of diabetic cases were detected, along with half of hypertensive cases and 35% of hyperlipidemic cases. The specificity was high overall (>96%). The factors associated with an accurate self-reported diagnosis in subjects with disease included female sex and obesity (for hypertension), older age (for hyperlipidemia), a family history of disease (for diabetes) and having undergone blood pressure measurement (for all three conditions) or blood lipid measurement (for hypertension and hyperlipidemia) in the past year. The accuracy of self-reported diabetes was high, whereas that of self-reported hypertension or hyperlipidemia was lower. Further efforts are needed to increase awareness of these conditions among the population.

The effect of seamustard on blood lipid profiles and glucose level of rats fed diet with different energy composition

Recently, Korean people are consuming seaweeds almost 3.5 times more now than three decades ago. It is well known that seaweeds contain lots of soluble dietary fiber in addition to micronutrients such as β-carotene, iodine and some bioactive components. Seaweeds are considered to be effective for preventing chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, cancer or constipation. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of seamustard intake on body weight gain, blood glucose level and lipid profiles in rats fed diets with different energy nutrient composition. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (average initial weight 103.7 g) were divided into groups for two experiments as follows; Control, M2.5 & M5 groups (Exp. I) and M5, M10, HCM5, HCM10, HFM5 & HFM10 groups (Exp. II). The rats were fed diet and water ad libitum for 4 weeks. In general, there was no significant difference in blood glucose and triglyceride concentration among groups. In Exp. I, serum LDL-cholesterol level of rats fed diet with 5% seamustard powder (M5) was significantly lower than that of control group, while HDL-cholesterol level, TC/LDL ratio and weight of adrenal gland were higher. In Exp. II, food intake, body weight gain and EER of high fat diet with 10% seamustard group (HFM10) were the lowest among groups. Except gastrocnemius muscle, all organ weights of HFM10 group were the lowest. Fecal cholesterol excretion and serum LDL-cholesterol concentration of HFM10 group were the highest, while serum HDL-cholesterol level was the lowest among groups. Interestingly, HDL-cholesterol concentration was the highest in HCM5 group among groups. From these results, it was suggested that seamustard intake might be more effective for body weight control, but not for improving blood lipid profiles in high fat diet than in high carbohydrate diet.

건강검진 수진자들을 대상으로 한 식이 섭취와 혈중지질과의 상관관계

본 연구는 건강진단센터에서 건강검진을 받은 검진자 293명을 고지혈증 치료지침 혈중지질 농도 기준에 따라 정상군, 경계군, 위험군으로 분류하여 신체계측, 혈액 성분 및 혈압, 영양소 섭취량을 조사하여 혈중지질 농도에 영향을 주는 요인을 분석하였다. 각 군별 체중, 체지방율, 허리둘레, 체질량 지수 평균은 정상군에 비해 경계군, 위험군이 유의적으로 높았다. 열량 섭취량은 정상군 1,818.3 kcal, 경계군 1,803.0 kcal, 위험군 1,999.5 kcal로 정상군에 비해 위험군이 유의적으로 높았다. 에너지원인 탄수화물, 지질, 단백질 섭취량에서 정상군에 비하여 위험군이 모두 유의적으로 높았다. 한편 연구대상자들의 혈중 중성지방 농도에 따라 영양소 섭취량을 비교한 결과 정상혈중중성지방군보다 위험혈중중성지방군인 대상자에서 열량, 탄수화물, 지질, 단백질 섭취량이 유의적으로 높았다. 영양소 섭취와 혈중지질 농도 간의 상관관계 분석 결과 열량, 탄수화물, 지질, 단백질 섭취량이 혈중중성지방 농도와 양의 상관관계를 나타내었고, 탄수화물 섭취량과 혈중 HDL-콜레스테롤 농도는 음의 상관관계를 나타내었다. 결론적으로 본 연구에서 고지혈증 혹은 혈중 중성지방 농도가 높은 대상자들에게서 모두 열량, 탄수화물, 지질, 단백질 섭취량이 높게 나타나 우리나라 사람들의 고지혈증 요인 중의 하나가 과잉 식이섭취에 의한 것임을 알 수 있다. 따라서 성인의 건강한 혈중지질 농도를 유지하기 위해 과잉 식이섭취에 의한 비만을 예방하고 특히 적절한 지방 및 탄수화물의 섭취를 위한 영양교육이 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

Production of recombinant porcine colipase secreted by Pichia pastoris and its application to improve dietary fat digestion and growth of postweaning piglets

Recombinant porcine pancreatic colipase (pCoL) was produced in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. A synthetic yeast secretion cassette was constructed with the constitutive promoter of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene and the yeast alpha-mating factor signal peptide. The pCoL cDNA corresponding in the coding sequence, excluding a 16-amino acid segment of the native signal sequence, was cloned into the pGAPZalphaB vector and integrated into the genome of P. pastoris. Yeast transformants were cultured and bioactive pCoL protein was detected in the supernatant at a high-level of 126.8 mg/L after 3 days of culture. The transformed yeast containing the highest recombinant colipase level (pCoL yeast) and native yeast GS 115 not containing pCoL (non-pCoL yeast, as a control group) were separately cultured and the supernatants were adsorbed by dried skim milk. In an animal trial, two concentrations of colipase activity (0 vs. 5,000 U/kg in the diet) were blended with the pig corn-soybean basal diet and fed to weaned piglets for 4 weeks. The pCoL-administrated test group gained significantly more weight than piglets in the control group when measured at Day 15 (11.84 +/- 0.70 vs. 10.59 +/- 0.39 kg, P < 0.05), Day 22 (15.84 +/- 0.95 vs. 14.32 +/- 0.59 kg, P < 0.01), and Day 28 (20.19 +/- 1.47 vs. 18.54 +/- 0.92 kg, P < 0.01) after weaning. The blood triglyceride (TG) concentrations were significantly increased in the experimental test group that received recombinant colipase on the 28th day of postweaning when compared with that of the control group (32.50 vs. 16.37 mg/dL; P < 0.0001). These experimental data suggest that the use of recombinant porcine colipase as a dietary supplement provides an alternative approach for improving fat digestion and enhancing growth in postweaning piglets.

HEMATOLOGIC AND BIOCHEMICAL VALUES FOR SPANISH IBEX (CAPRA PYRENAICA) CAPTURED VIA DRIVE-NET AND BOX-TRAP

Between October 2002 and September 2004, 70 free-ranging Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) were captured in Catalonia, northeastern Spain, using two different physical methods, drive-net (n=26) and box-trap (n=44). Blood samples were taken to determine 20 hematologic and 23 biochemical variables. Values obtained fell within already published reference intervals, with the following exceptions: higher values for red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC), eosinophil count, triglyceride concentration, creatine kinase (CK; in box-trap), chloride, sodium, alpha-1, alpha-2, and gamma electrophoretic fractions of serum proteins; and lower values for hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), urea concentration, CK (in drive-net), albumin, and albumin:globulins ratio (A:G). Published values for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentration are both higher and lower than observed in this study. In our study, monocyte and eosinophil counts, as well as triglyceride and potassium concentrations, were lower in animals captured via box-trap than those captured via drive-net. Conversely, MCHC, neutrophil count, total bilirubin concentration, urea, and AST were higher in animals captured via box-trap. Hematologic and biochemical values obtained from Spanish ibexes show that the drive-net is a newer, less-stressful method of capture than the box-trap.