Plasma Uric Acid Research Articles

Towards a free wild-caught fishmeal, fish oil and soy protein in European sea bass diet using by-products from fishery and aquaculture

One of the main strategies to implement the sustainability of aquaculture is by reducing its dependence on feed raw materials derived from wild marine resources, unsustainable land and freshwater use. To totally replace wild-caught fishmeal (FM), fish oil (FO) and soy protein (SP) in European sea bass, five experimental diets were formulated including increasing levels of fishery and aquaculture by-products (control C, 0FM100FO, 0FM0FO, 0FM0FO-50SP, 0FM0FO-0SP). Diets were administered to triplicate fish groups of 50 individuals reared in a recirculation system for 119 days. No major differences (p > 0.05) between C and 0FM100FO were detected in growth (final body weight) and feed efficiency parameters (feed conversion rate, protein efficiency ratio, gross protein efficiency, lipid efficiency ratio, gross lipid efficiency) while they were reduced (p < 0.05) in 0FM0FO, 0FM0FO-50SP, 0FM0FO-0SP compared to C diet. At the end of the growth trial the overall metabolomic profiles of fish muscle were impacted by the diets. In particular, the increase in glycine and phosphocreatine in the muscle of fish fed with diets containing FM and FO by-products, may suggest changes or adaptation in metabolic pattern for energy production at muscular level; results which were also supported by the higher level in plasma creatinine, uric acid and lactate found in C diets. Concerning welfare indicators, overall plasma parameters were in line with the normal range for this species indicating a general optimal welfare condition under all dietary regimes. No effect of diets on overall gut microbiota layout was observed. However, the inclusion of the FM and FO by-product increase the relative abundance of several taxa such as Weissela, Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Bacillus which could potentially support immune system and disease resistance. Overall this study highlighted the possibility of totally replacing wild-caught FM and FO using by-products from fisheries and aquaculture with an only marginal reduction of the overall performance.

Gender Difference in Serum Levels of Uric Acid in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Serum uric acid (SUA) level has been shown to be increased in patients with cardiovascular disease. This increase is generally higher in women than men. However, there is conflicting evidence based on different population. This study was aimed to explore and assed gender-based differences in the level of SUA in an Iranian subjects with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We also investigated the relationship between SUA and clinical characteristics including, BMI, Killip class, hypertension and diabetes. Method: A total of 78 AMI patients, aged 20-90 years, comprised of 39 men and 39 women were enrolled in this cross sectional study. Venous blood samples were drawn from each of the participants after a nocturnal fasting on days 1, 3 and 4. Anthropometric indices, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile and uric acid level as well as the ejection fraction (EF) were measured using standard protocols. Results: The mean SUA level in women was significantly higher than that in male on days 1,3,4 (P=0.001, 0.002, 0.03 respectively). A strong association was found between SUA on day 3 and hypertension, even after adjustment for BMI (OR=2.29, 95% CI, 1.21-4.3). There was also a significant correlation between SUA and age in women (p=0.03). However, such relationship was no found for diabetes. Conclusion: An increased level of SUA was observed in women. This increment was also associated with hypertension and age in women. Our results suggest a gender differences in the association of SUA level with AMI related adverse events.

Association between periodontitis and uric acid levels in blood and oral fluids: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundUric acid, a formerly-known antioxidant that has recently been linked to numerous inflammatory diseases as a pro-inflammatory and -oxidative mediator in pathological conditions. It is imperative to reassess the association between periodontitis and uric acid locally and systematically. The aim of this systematic review was to systemically evaluate the association between periodontitis and the uric acid (UA) levels in blood, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF).MethodsRelevant clinical studies up to January 28, 2023 were identified and retrieved from electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE and Web of Science, with periodontitis, uric acid, hyperuricemia and gout as the keywords. The weighted (WMD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated using fixed- or random-effect models. Methodological heterogeneity was assessed.ResultsSixteen eligible observational studies and one RCT were enrolled, which included 1354 patients with periodontitis and 989 controls. Three sample types for UA detection were involved, including blood (n = 8), saliva (n = 9) and GCF (n = 1). Meta-analysis demonstrated an enhanced plasma UA concentration (WMD = 1.00 mg/dL, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.37, P < 0.001) but a decreased salivary UA level (SMD = -0.95, 95% CI -1.23 to -0.68, P < 0.001) in periodontitis versus control. Statistical heterogeneity among the plasma- and saliva-tested studies were moderate (I2 = 58.3%, P = 0.066) and low (I2 = 33.8%, P = 0.196), respectively.ConclusionsWithin the limitations of the enrolled studies, it seems that there is an association between periodontitis and increased blood UA and decreased salivary UA. (Registration no. CRD42020172535 in Prospero).

Ethanol combined with energy drinks: Two decades of research in rodents

Many studies raised concerns on alcoholic beverages consumption mixed with energy drinks (AmED), which can induce higher rates of binge drinking and earlier development of alcohol use disorders. After 20 years of research, few studies with laboratory animals have focused on the effects of this mixture and the neurobiological and pharmacological mechanisms underlying them. We found 16 articles on AmED administration to rodents evaluating its effects on voluntary consumption, locomotion, anxiety-like behavior, memory, influence on the onset time of seizures, biochemical and neurochemical measures. Some of these studies indicated energy drinks (ED) can alter the pattern of use and motivation to consume ethanol (EtOH); increase the expression of sensitization to EtOH stimulant effect and the proportion of sensitized mice; decrease the aversiveness of high concentrations of EtOH, among other effects. In addition AmED hastens the loss of righting reflex and its effects on memory are controversial. After acute administration no difference was found in blood ethanol concentration (BEC) of rodents which received EtOH with or without ED, but after 60 days of treatment, AmED group had lower BEC levels than EtOH group. Data on biochemical and neurochemical parameters after AmED are not consistent. Although the AmED group presented higher glucose levels than the EtOH group when drugs were administered by gavage, this was not observed in a self-administration protocol. AmED may induce higher kidney damage, higher levels of plasma urea, uric acid and creatinine when compared to EtOH. Chronic consumption of AmED causes an inflammatory response and oxidative stress, which may induce cell death in the cortex and hypothalamus of adult rats. These controversial results show that AmED diverse effects depend on sex, age and lineage of the animals, duration of the treatment and route of administration. Further research is necessary to evaluate the mechanisms underlying AmED biological effects.

WCN23-0717 Association between plasma uric acid levels and mortality and cardiovascular outcomes according to kidney function.

WCN23-0717 Association between plasma uric acid levels and mortality and cardiovascular outcomes according to kidney function.

A phase II study to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose rasburicase (1.5mg) in adolescent and adult acute leukemia and high-grade lymphomas with tumor lysis syndrome

The FDA recommended dose of rasburicase 0.2 mg/kg/day till the resolution of TLS or up to 5 days, might be in excess and is prohibitively expensive. The quality of evidence supporting low dose rasburicase is limited. The objective is to study the plasma uric acid response rate. This is a single center, non-randomised phase II study. Duration is 10 June 2017 till 30 July 2019. Study setting is at Adult Hematolymphoid Unit, Tata Memorial Center. Participants are patients with acute leukemia and high-grade lymphomas aged >/=18 years, with ECOG PS of 0–3, with either laboratory or clinical TLS. Rasburicase was administered at fixed-dose of 1.5 mg. The subsequent doses (1.5 mg each dose) were administered only if plasma UA levels did not decline by >50% on day 2, at the physician’s discretion. We demonstrate that a low-dose rasburicase strategy leads to rapid and sustained reductions of uric acid in about 52% patients.

Effects of frankincense on experimentally induced renal stones in rats.

Frankincense (Luban) is a resin obtained from trees of genus Boswellia. The south of Oman hosts Boswellia sacra trees known to have many social, religious and medicinal uses. The anti-inflammatory and therapeutic potential of Luban has recently attracted the interest of the scientific community. The aim is to study the efficacy of Luban water extract and its essential oils on experimentally induced renal stones in rats. A rat model of urolithiasis induced by trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline (HLP) was used. Wistar Kyoto rats (27 males, 27 females) were randomly distributed into nine equal groups. Treatment groups were given Uralyt-U (standard) or Luban (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/day), starting Day 15 from HLP induction for a duration of 14 days. The prevention groups were given Luban in similar doses, starting Day 1 of HLP induction for 28 days. Several plasma biochemical and histological parameters were recorded. Data were analysed with GraphPad Software. Comparisons were performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Bonferroni test. The lithogenic effects of HLP, such as an increase in urine oxalate and cystine, an increase in plasma uric acid and an increase in kidney levels of calcium and oxalate, have all been best significantly reversed by the Luban dose of 150 mg/kg/day. The histological changes of HLP on the kidney tissue including calcium oxalate crystal formation, cystic dilatation, high degree of tubular necrosis, inflammatory changes, atrophy and fibrosis have also been ameliorated by Luban dose of 150 mg/kg/day. Luban has shown a significant improvement in the treatment and prevention of experimentally induced renal stones, particularly at a dose of 150 mg/kg/day. Further studies on the effect of Luban in other animal models and humans with urolithiasis are warranted.

Reduction of the Plasma Uric Acid Level in Potassium Oxoate-Induced Hyperuricemic Rats by Heat-Concentrated Prunus mume Fruit Extract Containing Three Chlorogenic Acid Isomers

Gout is a common rheumatic disease, resulting from hyperuricemia. Prunus mume fruit extract, after being heat-concentrated named mei extract, was empirically found to reduce the risk of gout. While neochlorogenic acid was found as the predominant phenolic compound in the fresh juice of Prunus mume, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, and cryptogenic acid were detected as the major phenolic compounds in the mei extract. In vitro testing showed that all the three chlorogenic acid isomers exhibited comparable inhibitory activities on xanthine oxidase. The hypouricemic effects of the mei extract were evaluated in potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic rats. Oral administrations of the mei extract significantly reduced the plasma uric acid level in hyperuricemic rats, but did not elevate the urinary uric acid level. The results provide in vivo evidence for the anti-hyperuricemic effects of mei extract for the first time, rationalize its therapeutic usage for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout, and propose chlorogenic acid isomers as the active ingredients. Mei extract seems to be a potential natural functional food product.

Organic Acid-Based Chelate Trace Mineral Supplement Improves Broiler Performance, Bone Composition, Immune Responses, and Blood Parameters.

Organic acid-based trace minerals are known to have more bioavailability, possibly due to fewer antagonism reactions in the lumen. A 42-day study was conducted to assess the supplementation of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) from different sources. To that end, a total of 1248-day-old As-hatched Arbor Acres chickens were examined for performance, histology, bone integrity, and plasma biochemical parameters. Experimental groups were as follows: basal diet supplying 50, 75, 100, and 120% of trace mineral requirements using an inorganic trace mineral supplement (ITM50, ITM75, ITM100, ITM120); basal diet supplying 33, 66, and 100% of trace mineral requirements using an organic acid-based trace mineral supplement (OAT33, OAT66, OAT100); plus a basal diet supplying 100% of trace mineral requirements using an amino acid-based chelated trace mineral supplement (ATM100%) as control positive. According to results, birds' fed OAT66 had the highest (P < 0.05) average daily body weight gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR). Feeding OAT66 increased (P < 0.05) villus length to crypt depth ratio, compared to OAT33 and ITM100 by 26% and 19%, respectively. The relative weight of the bursa enhanced by 22% in birds' receiving OAT supplement, compared to those received ITM supplement (P < 0.05). The plasma uric acid was reduced by 42% (P < 0.001) in birds fed with OAT66 and OAT100 when compared to those fed ITM50. Overall, our results indicated that the same performance could be achieved by using lower levels of organic trace minerals.

S-42-4: ISOLATED NOCTURNAL HYPERTENSION IN PATIENTS LIVING WITH HUMAN INMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV)

Introduction: People living with HIV (PLHIV) have higher rates of cardiovascular events compared to the general population; however mechanisms behind this discrepancy are poorly understood. High prevalence of hypertension has been proposed as a mechanism underlying cardiovascular events with contradictory results when office blood pressure (BP) is considered. Ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) have the advantage to measure BP during sleep, a cause of masked hypertension. Additionally, body weight and electrolytes disturbances are common in PLHIV under antiretroviral and antibiotic therapy. We aim to describe the prevalence of isolated nocturnal hypertension (INH) and it characteristics in PLHIV. Material and methods: A random sample of PLHIV from the provincial HIV program in Cordoba, Argentina, underwent clinical and laboratory examination, and 24 h ABPM. Nocturnal hypertension (NH) was defined as nocturnal systolic BP ≥ 120 mmHg and or nocturnal diastolic BP≥70 mmHg. INH was defined in those patients with NH with daytime systolic and diastolic BP&lt; 135/85 mmHg respectively. Results: PLHIV were included in the study: 60% male, mean age was 44.6 (27–69) years old, 87% were receiving antiretroviral therapy. BMI was 25.8 ± 4.8, mean CD4 count was 404.4 ± 289, cells/ml and 86.2% were virologically suppressed. The prevalence of NH was 48.5% [95%CI:36–60%], the vast majority having INH 29/32 (90%), thus the population prevalence of INH was 43.9% [95%CI:32–55,%]. INH patients have an excess of 10.4 and 8 mmHg in 24 hr systolic BP and diastolic BP respectively compared to no INH patients (both p &lt; 0.001). No differences were found regards age, sex, viral load, CD4+ cells and years of HIV history between patients with and without INH. Multiple linear regression (adj-R2 = 0.27, p &lt; 0.001) adjusted by sex and age determined that BMI (β = 0.79, p = 0.02]), plasma uric acid (β = 0.33, p = 0.01) and plasma potassium (β = -9.5, p = 0.03]) independently predicted nocturnal systolic BP in PLHIV. In a multiple logistic regression model adjusted by age and sex, BMI≥30 was associated with INH (OR 4.04 [95%CI: 1.25–13) Conclusion: INH is highly prevalent in PLHIV conferring an excessive hypertension load that may explain the associated high CVS risk. Obesity, increased uric acid, and low plasma potassium are associated with nocturnal systolic BP. Our work suggests the routine use of ABPM and explore metabolic disturbances in obese PLHIV.

Germinated and non-germinated cooked whole millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) flours show a promising effect on protein quality, biochemical profile and intestinal health in vivo.

Millet is a promising cereal with high amounts of dietary fibre and protein, and in addition, bioactive compounds with health-promoting functional properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of germinated and cooked whole millet flour (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) on protein quality, biochemical profile and intestinal health in vivo. Thirty-two male Wistar rats (21 days old) were separated into four groups, which received a casein control diet (CC; n = 8), a free protein diet (aproteic; n = 8) and two treatment diets: non-germinated millet (NM; n = 8) and germinated millet (GM; n = 8) for 29 days. The whole millet flours presented an adequate essential amino acid profile, except for lysine. The GM group presented a higher protein efficiency ratio and net protein ratio compared to the NM group. Weight gain, Lee index, and food efficiency ratio were lower in the treatment groups, compared to the control group. The GM group had lower plasma glucose, uric acid, cholesterol, and faecal pH compared to the other groups. The treatment groups presented lower triglyceride levels, higher levels of acetic and propionic acids, a larger thickness and depth of the colonic crypts, and a higher expression of PepT1 genes than the CC group. In conclusion, the millet flours demonstrated potential for controlling the lipid profile and biometric measurements. Additionally, the whole germinated millet flour provided better protein quality and improved intestinal morphology and functionality. These results indicate that the consumption of millet could be increased in human food, and considering its potential health benefits, it could be an alternative for dietary diversification, and germination is a good processing option.

Clinical features, myocardial strain and tissue characteristics of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in patients with obesity: A prospective cohort study.

The pathophysiology and subsequent myocardial dysfunction of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) with comorbid obesity has not been extensively described. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) derived myocardial strain and tissue characteristics in patients with HFpEF and comorbid obesity phenotype. In this prospective cohort study, we included consecutive patients admitted to Fuwai hospital in China who underwent CMR. Patients with HFpEF or obesity were diagnosed with demographic data, clinical presentation, laboratory test, and echocardiography or CMR imaging. The key exclusion criteria were cardiomyopathy, primary valvular heart disease, and significant coronary artery disease. Participant data were obtained from the electronic medical records database or inquiry. Comparisons of clinical features and CMR derived structural and functional parameters amongst different groups were made using one-way analysis of variance, or χ2 tests, and post hoc Bonferroni analysis where appropriate. Between January 1, 2019 and July 31, 2021, 280 participants (108 patients with HFpEF and obesity, 50 patients with HFpEF and normal weight, 72 patients with obesity, and 50 healthy controls) were enrolled. Compared with patients with HFpEF and normal weight, patients with HFpEF and obesity were younger males, and had higher plasma volume, uric acid and hemoglobin levels, yet less often atrial fibrillation, and lower NT-proBNP levels, and had higher left ventricular mass index, end-diastole/systole volume index, lower left atrial volume index, and worse myocardial strains (all p≤0.05), but no remarkable difference in late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) presence and extracellular volume fraction (ECV). After adjusting for age, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease, only global longitudinal strain (GLS, p=0.031) and early-diastolic global longitudinal strain rate (eGLSR, p=0.043) were considerably worse in patients with HFpEF and obesity versus patients with HFpEF and normal weight. Furthermore, early-diastolic strain rates showed no linear association with ECV in patients with HFpEF and obesity. Moreover, GLS demonstrated the highest diagnostic ability when compared with traditional CMR structural parameters and ECV to diagnose patients with HFpEF and obesity in the setting of obesity. Higher systemic inflammation, and worse GLS and eGLSR may be the distinct features of obesity-related HFpEF phenotype; strains and ECV may represent different mechanisms of HFpEF with obesity, deserving further study. The Construction Research Project of Key Laboratory (Cultivation) of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019PT310025); National Natural Science Foundation of China (81971588); Capital's Funds for Health Improvement and Research (CFH 2020-2-4034); Youth Key Program of High-level Hospital Clinical Research (2022-GSP-QZ-5).

Effects of liquid extract from Plinia cauliflora fruits residues on Chinese hamsters biochemical parameters.

Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel, popularly known as jabuticaba, is rich in polyphenols. Phenolic compounds exhibit several biological properties, which reflect on biomarkers such as biochemical parameters. In the present study, we evaluated the plasmatic levels of glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and uric acid of Chinese hamsters fed for 45 days with a regular diet or cholesterol-enriched diet supplemented with a liquid extract obtained from P. cauliflora fruits residues standardized in ellagic acid and total phenolic compounds. The results showed that the concentrated extract obtained from jabuticaba residues increased the glycemia of animals fed with a regular diet and reduced the plasmatic uric acid levels of animals fed with a cholesterol-enriched diet. Since hyperuricemia is considered to be a significant risk factor of metabolic disorders and the principal pathological basis of gout, the liquid extract from P. cauliflora fruits residues would be a promising candidate as a novel hypouricaemic agent for further investigation.

Sexual dimorphism in relationships between of plasma uric acid and some psycho-neuro-endocrine parameters

Background. Earlier we found that effects of plasma nitrogenous metabolites as urea, creatinine, and bilirubin on neuro-endocrine parameters, as well as anxiety, are significantly different in men and women of different ages. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationships between the plasma uric acid level and some psycho-neuro-endocrine parameters in the same cohort. Materials and Methods. The object of observation were almost healthy volunteers: 31 males (24÷69 y) and 30 females, from among them 18 postmenopausal (48÷76 y) and 12 of reproductive age (30÷45 y). In basal conditions we determined plasma levels of uric acid and adaptation hormones, estimated the severity of the trait and reactive anxiety, recorded the ongoing HRV and EEG. After 4 or 7 days, repeated testing was performed. Results. By uric acid regression models with stepwise exclusion, it was found that in men plasma uric acid downregulates the PSD of β-rhythm in P4 and δ-rhythm in others 4 loci, but upregulates the Asymmetry of δ-rhythm, variability of α-rhythm, PSD of θ-rhythm in P3 and O1 loci, Entropy of EEG in T4 as well as Testosterone plasma level. The measure of determination is 54,5%. In postmenopausal women, uricemia downregulates the Amplitude of β-rhythm and its PSD in 8 loci as well as sympathetic tone, but upregulates the PSD of HF and VLF bands HRV, Testosterone plasma level, PSD of θ-rhythm in F3 and O2 loci as well as the Laterality of δ-rhythm. The degree of determination of neuro-endocrine parameters is 94,4%. In women of reproductive age uricemia upregulates the Asymmetry and Amplitude of β-rhythm and its PSD in 6 loci, the Amplitude and Laterality of θ-rhythm and its PSD in F8 locus, as well as the PSD of α-rhythm in F8 locus. The degree of positive determination of EEGs parameters is 95,5%. Conclusion. Plasma uric acid has a modulating effect on neuro-endocrine parameters, but this effect is significantly different in men and women of different ages, which is due, apparently, to the influence of sex hormones on the expression of adenosine receptors in neurons.

Prevalence, patterns and predictors of metabolic abnormalities in Nigerian hypertensives with hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype: A cross sectional study.

Simultaneous presence of elevated waist circumference and hypertriglyceridemia (HTGW) is a simple and low-cost measure of visceral obesity, and it is associated with a plethora of cardio-metabolic abnormalities that can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and incident Type 2 diabetes mellitus. We decided to study the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of metabolic abnormalities in Nigerian hypertensives with the HTGW phenotype. The medical records of 582 hypertensives with complete data of interest were retrieved and analyzed for the study. Their socio-demographic data, anthropometric data, and booking blood pressure values were retrieved. The results of their fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, uric acid and serum creatinine were also retrieved for analysis. The mean age of the study population was 56.2 ±13.6, with 53.1% being males. The prevalence of smoking and use of alcohol was 4.3% and 26.5% respectively. The prevalence of the HTGW phenotype was 23.4% and were predominantly males (61%). Subjects with the HTGW phenotype were more obese assessed by waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI). Mean serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein, uric acid, and creatinine were significantly higher in the HTGW phenotype (p = 0.003; <0.001; <0.001; 0.002 and <0.001 respectively). The prevalence of newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes was 28.7%. There was also a preponderance of cardio-metabolic abnormalities (obesity, dyslipidaemia, hyperuricemia) in the HTGW phenotype. In both males and females, the HGTW phenotype was significantly associated with elevated Tc, TG, VLDL, hyperuricemia and atherogenic index of plasma. The HTGW phenotype is common amongst Nigerian hypertensives, and it is associated with metabolic abnormalities.

Efficacy of licorice extract on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood indices and antioxidants capacity in broilers

Some studies have suggested that dietary medicinal plants or herbs may have a variety of biological functions such as anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antifungal, antioxidative stress, and anticarcinogenic activities. The present study was undertaken to assess the incorporation of the extract of licorice supplementation on the growth performance, carcass yield, blood indices, and antioxidative capacity in broilers. Three hundred twenty unsexed one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated randomly into four groups. Chicks in each group were randomly subdivided into eight replicates of ten chicks. The first group received a basal diet and was considered a control. The respective groups received a basal diet supplemented with 1, 2, and 3 g licorice extract/kg diet. The obtained results indicated that supplementation of licorice extract to broiler chicks resulted in heavier BW and weight gain and a better feed conversion ratio during the experimental periods compared with the control group. However, feed consumption increased during the entire growing period. Supplementing the broiler’s diet with licorice extract led to a higher value of erythrocytes, leukocytes, haemoglobin, plasma total protein, albumin, and antioxidant concentration and a low value in plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, urea, and total cholesterol. It could be concluded that the dietary addition of licorice extracts 2 and 3 g licorice extract/kg diet improved broiler chicks' growth performance and physiological status.

Sexual dimorphism in relationships between of plasma bilirubin and some neuro-endocrine parameters

Background. Earlier we found that plasma uric acid, urea and creatinine causes modulating effects on neuro-endocrine parameters, as well as anxiety, but these effects are significantly different in men and women of different ages. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationships between the plasma bilirubin level and some psycho-neuro-endocrine parameters in the same cohort. Materials and Methods. The object of observation were almost healthy volunteers: 31 males (24÷69 y) and 30 females, from among them 18 postmenopausal (48÷76 y) and 12 of reproductive age (30÷45 y). In basal conditions we determined plasma levels of bilirubin and adaptation hormones, estimated the severity of the trait and reactive anxiety, recorded the ongoing HRV and EEG. After 4 or 7 days, repeated testing was performed. Results. By building regression models with stepwise exclusion, it was found that in men plasma bilirubin upregulates the variability of β- and α-rhythms as well as PSD of β-rhythm in T4 and Fp2 loci, but downregulates the variability of θ-rhythm, PSD of β-rhythm in P4 and δ-rhythm in T6 loci as well as the trait anxiety. The measure of determination is 42,6% In postmenopausal women, bilirubin downregulates the PSD of β-rhythm in T6 locus, but upregulates the Testosterone plasma level, vagal tone as well as PSD of ULF and VLF bands HRV. The degree of determination of neuro-endocrine parameters is 59,2%. In women of reproductive age bilirubin upregulates the PSD of β-rhythm in T4 locus while downregulates the amplitude of θ- and β-rhythms, PSD of β-rhythm in 5 loci, of α-rhythm in 5 other loci as well as the Entropy of EEG in T5, P4 and C4 loci. The degree of determination of EEGs parameters is 97,8%. Conclusion. Plasma bilirubin has a modulating effect on psycho-neuro-endocrine parameters, but this effect is significantly different in men and women of different ages, which is due, apparently, to the influence of sex hormones on the expression of Ah receptors in neurons.

Xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase contribute to allopurinol metabolism in rats

BackgroundAllopurinol is used to treat hyperuricemia and gout. It is metabolized to oxypurinol by xanthine oxidase (XO), and aldehyde oxidase (AO). Allopurinol and oxypurinol are potent XO inhibitors that reduce the plasma uric acid levels. Although oxypurinol levels show large inter-individual variations, high concentrations of oxypurinol can cause various adverse effects. Therefore, it is important to understand allopurinol metabolism by XO and AO. In this study we aimed to estimate the role of AO and XO in allopurinol metabolism by pre-administering Crl:CD and Jcl:SD rats, which have known strain differences in AO activity, with XO inhibitor febuxostat.MethodsAllopurinol (30 or 100 mg/kg) was administered to Crl:CD and Jcl:SD rats with low and high AO activity, respectively, after pretreatment with or without febuxostat. The serum concentrations of allopurinol and oxypurinol were measured, and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was calculated from the 48 h serum concentration-time profile. In vivo metabolic activity was measured as the ratio AUCoxypurinol /AUCallopurinol.ResultsAlthough no strain-specific differences were observed in the AUCoxypurinol/AUCallopurinol ratio in the allopurinol (30 mg/kg)-treated group, the ratio in Jcl:SD rats was higher than that in Crl:CD rats after febuxostat pretreatment. Contrastingly, the AUC ratio of allopurinol (100 mg/kg) was approximately 2-fold higher in Jcl:SD rats than that in Crl:CD rats. These findings showed that Jcl:SD rats had higher intrinsic AO activity than Crl:CD rats did.However, febuxostat pretreatment substantially decreased the activity, as measured by the AUC ratio using allopurinol (100 mg/kg), to 46 and 63% in Crl:CD rats and Jcl:SD rats, respectively, compared to the control group without febuxostat pretreatment.ConclusionsWe elucidated the role of XO and AO in allopurinol metabolism in Crl:CD and Jcl:SD rats. Notably, AO can exert a proportionately greater impact on allopurinol metabolism at high allopurinol concentrations. AO’s impact on allopurinol metabolism is meaningful enough that individual differences in AO may explain allopurinol toxicity events. Considering the inter-individual differences in AO activity, these findings can aid to dose adjustment of allopurinol to avoid potential adverse effects.

Acute intoxication with single oral dose of ochratoxin A (OTA) causes leukopenia, heteropenia, lymphopenia and lymphoid depletion in the bursa of Fabricius in broiler chicks

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by species of Penicillium and Aspergillus, agricultural product contaminants. Chronic and sub-chronic OTA intoxication by chickens ingesting contaminated feed, leads to health damages due to its hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, cytotoxic, immunotoxic, gastrotoxic, and possibly carcinogenic effects. As there are few data on acute intoxication, the present study evaluated the effects of a single acute OTA intoxication dose on immunological and hematological parameters in chicks. Sixteen one-day-old chicks were used, separated into two groups (n=8). A single dose of OTA (1400 µg kg-1 body weight) was administered, via gavage, for the OTA group and one dose of sterile PBS for the control group. On the 13th day, blood samples were collected to assess hematological and biochemical parameters, and on the 14th day, euthanasia and collection of lymphoid organs were performed. The animals of the OTA group demonstrated a significant decrease in total circulating leukocytes (p&lt;0.001) with heteropenia (p&lt;0.001) and lymphopenia (p=0.023), decrease hematocrit (p=0.020), hemoglobin (p=0.032), and plasma IgA (p =0.044), and increased plasma uric acid level (p=0.045), in relation to the control group. In addition, the animals intoxicated with OTA showed depletion of lymphoid cells in the bursa of Fabricius (p=0.016), but not in the thymus or spleen (p&gt;0.05), compared to the control. For the other parameters: total plasma proteins, plasma IgY levels, and anti-Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) vaccine titers from matrices, there were no significant differences between the analyzed groups (p&gt;0.05), although there was a worsening tendency in contaminated animals. In conclusion, even a single acute OTA intoxication at a high dose, leads to the suppression of the systemic immune response, also affecting some hematological or biochemical parameters in chicks.

Relationship Between Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Serum Uric Acid in Patients With Untreated Essential Hypertension in China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Several studies have reported that the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is associated with serum uric acid (SUA) in healthy middle-aged men, kidney transplant patients, and diabetic patients. We assessed the relationship between AIP and SUA in patients with untreated essential hypertension (EH) in China. In the cross-sectional study, we evaluated 5003 patients with untreated EH in China; 1490 were assigned to the hyperuricemia (HUA) group and 3513 to the normouricemia (non-HUA) group according to the diagnostic criteria of HUA (SUA level≥6mg/dL in females and ≥7mg/dL in males). A higher AIP level was found in the HUA group (P < .001), and AIP was positively and independently correlated with SUA after adjusting for statistically significant variables (β = .204, P < .001). Moreover, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the AIP was closely and independently related to HUA after adjusting for confounders (odds ratio [OR]: 11.980, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.186-45.047, P < .001). Our findings suggested that the AIP was positively and independently associated with SUA, and elevated AIP might be a significant risk factor for HUA in patients with untreated EH in China.