饲料中添加谷胱甘肽对黄颡鱼幼鱼组织谷胱甘肽含量、免疫及抗氧化性能的影响

研究旨在探讨饲料中添加还原型谷胱甘肽(Glutathione, GSH)对黄颡鱼幼鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)组织谷胱甘肽含量、免疫及抗氧化性能的影响。选用初始体重为(1.32±0.01) g的黄颡鱼800尾, 随机分为5组, 每组4个重复, 每个重复40 尾鱼, 分别投喂基础饲料和添加100、300、500和700 mg/kg GSH的试验饲料, 饲养56d后采样分析, 并采用氯化铵进行96h氨氮应激试验。结果表明: 除100 mg/kg组外, 饲料中添加GSH显著提高黄颡鱼肝脏、血清GSH含量(P<0.05), 当GSH添加量≥300 mg/kg时, 肝脏和血清GSH含量均呈现稳定状态。随着饲料中谷胱甘肽水平的增加, 血清免疫和肝脏抗氧化指标均呈现先升高后降低的趋势, 其中300和500 mg/kg组溶菌酶与碱性磷酸酶活性、300 mg/kg组免疫球蛋白M与补体4含量、500 mg/kg组酸性磷酸酶活性与对照组相比显著升高(P<0.05)。与对照组和700 mg/kg组相比, 300 mg/kg组肝脏超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶活性和总抗氧化能力与血清超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶活性均显著高升高(P<0.05); 且300 mg/kg组血清丙二醛含量显著降低(P<0.05)。氨氮应激96h时, 与对照组相比, 300 mg/kg组肝脏和血清超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶活性力均显著升高(P<0.05), 且300 mg/kg组血清丙二醛含量显著降低(P<0.05)。由此可见, 饲料中添加谷胱甘肽能提高黄颡鱼幼鱼组织谷胱甘肽含量、免疫及抗氧化性能, 其中以300—500 mg/kg为宜。     

维生素E对中华鳖幼鳖生长、肝脏维生素E以及血清皮质醇含量的影响

为探讨维生素E(VE)对中华鳖(Pelodiscus sinensis)幼鳖的生长、肝脏VE和血清皮质醇的影响，通过特定生长率、高压液相色谱法和放免法，我们测定了中华鳖幼鳖的生长、肝脏VE和血清皮质醇含量。发现VE添加量为1000和5000mg／kg的两组，能明显降低中华鳖幼鳖的生长。维生素E添加量为500、1000和5000mg／kg的三组，肝脏维生素E含量明显高于对照组，VE添加量在0—1000mg／kg的范围时，肝脏VE的含量随着饲料中VE含量的增加呈指数式增加，并且在VE添加量为5000kg／kg的一组基本达到饱和。维生素E添加量为0和50mg／kg的2组，其血清皮质醇的平均值明显高于维生素E添加量为250、500、1000和5000mg／kg的4组的平均值。上述结果表明：高剂量的VE降低了中华鳖幼鳖的生长和血清皮质醇的含量；在一定剂量范围内，肝脏VE随着饲料中VE含量的增加而升高。     

VE对草鱼成鱼肌肉品质和抗氧化性能的影响

在VE含量为24.1 mg/kg的实用基础饲料中分别添加VE 0(对照组)、25、50、100、200 mg/kg,饲喂平均体重为(614.9±60.5)g的草鱼60d.考察VE对草鱼成鱼生长性能、肌肉品质和抗氧化性能的影响.结果表明,各组草鱼增重率分别为51.6%、53.5%、53.4%、53.5%、54.8%,饲料系数分别为2.28、2.17、2.20、2.19、2.15,饲料中添加25-200 mg/kg VE对草鱼成伍增重率、饲料系数无显著影响(P>0.05);在肌肉品质方面,饲料中添加VE对肌肉水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪含量无显著影响(P>0.05).肌肉保鲜肉滴水损失和冷冻肉渗出损失随VE添加量的增加而降低;随饲料中VE添加量的增加,肌肉、肝脏中VE含量增加,丙二醛含量则显著降低(P<0.05),其中VE添加量为200 mr,/kg组的肌肉、肝脏VE含量较对照组增加431.0%、353.7%,丙二醛含量则下降67.2%、61.3%(P<0.01);在血清抗氧化能力方面,当VE添加量≥50 mg/kg后,草鱼血清SOD活性显著提高(P<0.05),而血清总抗氧化能力在VE添加量0-100 mg/kg各组间尤显著差异,200 mg/kgVE组的血清总抗氧化能力较对照组显著增高(P<0.05).上述研究表明,饲料中添加VE能促进草鱼生长,改善肌肉品质,增强机体抗氧化能力.以生长性能为标准,草鱼成鱼饲料(基础饲料含VE 24.1 mg/kg)中的VE添加量25 mg/kg;以肌肉品质、抗氧化能力指标为标准,草鱼成鱼饲料中的VE添加量为200 mg/kg.     

维生素C和E合用对应激和非应激中华鳖幼鳖生长、肝脏维生素C和E以及血清皮质醇含量的影响

为探讨维生素C (VC)和维生素E (VE)联用对应激和非应激中华鳖幼鳖的生长、肝脏VC 和VE 以及血清皮质醇含量的影响 ,作者使用了 5组饵料 ,VC 和VE 的添加量依次为 0和 0mg/kg (对照组 )、 2 5 0和 5 0mg/kg (实验Ⅰ组 )、2 5 0 0和 5 0mg/kg (实验Ⅱ组 ) ;2 5 0和 2 5 0mg/kg (实验Ⅲ组 ) ;2 5 0 0和 2 5 0mg/kg(实验Ⅳ组 )。中华鳖幼鳖的生长、肝脏VC 和VE以及血清皮质醇分别通过特定生长率、高压液相色谱法和放免法来测定。结果实验Ⅰ -Ⅳ组中华鳖的特定生长率明显高于不加VC 和VE的对照组 ,但实验Ⅰ -Ⅳ组间没有明显不同。非应激中华鳖肝脏VC 和VE的含量随饵料中VC 和VE 含量的增加而明显升高 ,并且实验Ⅱ -Ⅳ组肝脏VC 和VE都明显高于对照组和实验Ⅰ组。酸应激后 ,对照组和实验组中华鳖肝脏VC 和VE都有下降的趋势 ,但无显著差异 ;应激后实验Ⅱ -Ⅳ组肝脏VC 和VE均明显高于对照组 ,实验Ⅳ组明显高于其它 4组。血清皮质醇的含量在实验Ⅰ -Ⅳ组间没有明显不同 ,实验Ⅰ -Ⅲ组与对照组相比虽有降低的趋势但没有变化 ,实验Ⅳ组则明显低于对照组。酸应激后 ,对照组血清皮质醇明显升高 ,其他 4组虽有升高的趋势 ,但没有明显变化。应激后实验Ⅰ -Ⅳ组血清皮质醇的含量均明显低于对照组 ,实验Ⅰ -Ⅳ组间没有明显     

富硒壶瓶碎米荠对青鱼幼鱼生长、生理生化、硒代谢、抗氧化及先天免疫的影响

为探究富硒壶瓶碎米荠(Cardamine hupingshanensis)对青鱼(Mylopharyngodon piceus)幼鱼生长、血清生理生化、肝脏硒代谢、抗氧化能力和先天免疫指标的影响,选取360尾初始体重为(5.51±0.02) g的青鱼幼鱼随机分配至4个实验组中,每组3个重复。在基础饲料中添加富硒壶瓶碎米荠的量为0、0.5、1.0和2.0 g/kg(硒的实际含量分别为0.04、0.43、0.75和1.57 mg/kg),同时添加矿物质混合物(无硒添加)和维生素混合物,配置成4种等氮等能的青鱼幼鱼试验饲料,养殖周期为60d。结果显示:饲料中添加0.5和1.0 g/kg富硒壶瓶碎米荠时,鱼体增重率(WG),特定生长率(SGR)较对照组和过量组(2.0 g/kg)显著升高,饲料系数(FCR)显著降低(P<0.05)。当饲料中富硒壶瓶碎米荠添加量为0.5—1.0 g/kg时,血清中的甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TCH)和白蛋白(ALB)含量呈上升趋势,而葡萄糖(GLU)含量显著下降(P<0.05)。饲料中添加0.5—1.0 g/kg富硒壶瓶碎米荠时可显著提高肝脏核因子...     

饲料中添加辅酶Q10对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼生长、抗氧化能力和组织结构的影响

以含辅酶Q10(CoQ10)分别为0、40、80和120 mg/kg的4种饲料饲喂平均初始体重为(19.97±0.13) g的吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus, GIFT)幼鱼56d,探讨辅酶Q10对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼生长性能、体成分、抗氧化能力、组织结构和基因表达的影响。结果显示,各辅酶Q10组吉富罗非鱼幼鱼的终末体重、摄食率、特定生长率和饲料效率与对照组均无显著差异, 120 mg/kg辅酶Q10组终末体重、特定生长率和饲料效率均为最高;辅酶Q10含量为120 mg/kg时,吉富罗非鱼幼鱼的干物质消化率显著升高;各辅酶Q10组血清过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性均显著高于对照组;各辅酶Q10组肝脏CAT和GSH-Px活性均显著高于对照组, 80和120 mg/kg辅酶Q10组肝脏总超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽S转移酶(GST)活性均显著升高,丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低;各实验组去内脏全鱼的水分、粗蛋白和灰分含量均无显著性差异, 120 mg/kg辅酶Q10组去内脏全鱼粗脂肪显著低于对照组;各实验组内脏团水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪和灰分...     

VE和L-肌肽对大菱鲆幼鱼生长、抗氧化、非特异性免疫及血清生化指标的影响

实验以大菱鲆（Scophthalmus maximus）幼鱼[（14.00±0.02）g]为研究对象,采用2×4双因素设计,设2个VE水平（0和75 mg/kg）和4个L-肌肽水平（0、50、100和200 mg/kg）,研究VE和L-肌肽对其生长、抗氧化、非特异性免疫及血清生化指标的影响。实验共分8组,每组3个重复,每个重复46尾鱼,实验周期为8周。结果显示:（1）在饲料中添加75 mg/kg VE显著提高了大菱鲆幼鱼增重率（WGR）和特定生长率（SGR）（P < 0.05）,L-肌肽添加量≤100 mg/kg对实验鱼生长性能无显著影响（P>0.05）,添加量为200 mg/kg时鱼体WGR、SGR和蛋白质效率（PER）显著降低,饲料系数（FCR）显著升高（P < 0.05）;（2）VE和L-肌肽对血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量及肝脏总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性和MDA含量均具有显著的交互作用（P < 0.05）,在VE 75 mg/kg水平下,L-肌肽添加量为50和100 mg/kg时血清GSH-PX活性最高,L-肌肽添加量为100和200 mg/kg时血清CAT活性最高且与添加量为50 mg/kg差异不显著（P>0.05）,添加100 mg/kg肝脏T-AOC和SOD活性达到最高且50 mg/kg组的SOD与100 mg/kg组差异不显著（P>0.05）,主效应结果显示,VE显著提高了血清T-AOC、SOD及肝脏CAT活性（P < 0.05）,L-肌肽显著提高了血清T-AOC（P < 0.05）;（3）VE和L-肌肽对血清补体C3和LZM活性交互作用显著,在75 mg/kg VE水平下,L-肌肽添加量为50 mg/kg时,补体C3水平最高（P < 0.05）,主效应显示,VE和L-肌肽对血清总蛋白（TP）影响均不显著（P>0.05）;（4）添加VE显著降低了血清总胆固醇（TCHO）和甘油三酯（TG）含量（P < 0.05）,添加L-肌肽显著降低了血清TG含量,且在L-肌肽50 mg/kg时达到最低。综合考虑大菱鲆幼鱼[（14.00-39.43）g]的生长性能、抗氧化性能、非特异性免疫及血清生化指标得出,在实验配方条件下（鱼油70 g/kg,大豆卵磷脂10 g/kg）,添加VE 75 mg/kg时,L-肌肽的适宜添加量为50 mg/kg。     

小刺猴头发酵浸膏多糖对肉鸡抗氧化功能的影响

以小刺猴头发酵浸膏多糖为试验材料,研究其对肉鸡肝脏及血清中T-SOD和CAT的活力以及MDA含量的影响。空白组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中添加不同水平(1 000,3 000,5 000 mg/kg)的小刺猴头发酵浸膏多糖,试验期为28 d,检测肉鸡血清及肝脏中T-SOD和CAT的活力及MDA的含量。结果显示:当添加量为1 000,3 000 mg/kg时,肉鸡血清及肝脏中的T-SOD和CAT的活力与空白组相比差异显著(P<0.05),添加量为1 000,3 000,5 000 mg/kg时,肉鸡血清及肝脏中MDA的含量与空白组相比极显著降低(P<0.01)。小刺猴头发酵浸膏多糖可以增强肉鸡血清及肝脏中的SOD和CAT的活力,而对MDA有抑制或清除作用。     

慢性氨氮胁迫对台湾泥鳅幼鱼生长、免疫及组织结构的影响

以平均体质量为(2.00±0.56) g的台湾泥鳅(Paramisgurnus dabryanus ssp. Taiwan)幼鱼为研究对象, 探究氨氮胁迫浓度为0、3.5、6.0、10.4和18.0 mg/L时台湾泥鳅幼鱼生长性能、免疫酶活性及组织结构的变化。经过56d的氨氮胁迫试验结果显示: 台湾泥鳅终末体质量(W_F)、增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)随氨氮浓度的升高而逐渐降低, 各组之间存活率无显著差异。10.4和18.0 mg/L处理组肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)和鳃Na+K+-ATP酶活性均显著低于对照组(P<0.05); 18.0 mg/L处理组肝脏溶菌酶(LZM)活性显著低于对照组(P<0.05), 而丙二醛(MDA)含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。组织切片结果显示, 氨氮处理组幼鱼均存在不同程度的鳃组织损伤, 表现为鳃小片短小、上皮细胞水肿、细胞空泡化、上皮细胞坏死和脱落; 肝组织则表现为肝血窦扩张、细胞轮廓模糊、细胞水样变性、细胞核偏移和细胞核溶解; 且两种组织中其病变区域随着氨氮浓度升高而增大。上述结果表明, 氨氮胁迫对台湾泥鳅幼鱼的生长和免疫酶活性具有显著的抑制作用, 并对其鳃和肝组织造成损伤。     

日粮中不同水平维生素C对团头鲂幼鱼免疫力的影响简

以酪蛋白和明胶为蛋白源,豆油为脂肪源配制团头鲂幼鱼基础饲料,制成维生素C水平为0.2、33.4、65.8、133.7、251.5和501.5 mg/kg的6种等氮等能的试验饲料。对均重为(6.40±0.05)g的团头鲂幼鱼进行为期90d的饲养试验,以血清相关免疫指标、肝脏抗氧化指标、三种HSPs mRNA表达以及抗病原菌能力等指标为依据,研究Vc对团头鲂幼鱼免疫力的影响。试验结果表明,与对照组相比,501.5 mg/kg Vc试验组能显著提高血清补体3(C3)的浓度,133.7 mg/kg Vc试验组能显著提高补体4(C4)的浓度;65.8、133.7和251.5 mg/kg Vc试验组能显著提高肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性,各Vc试验组均能显著提高肝脏抗超氧阴离子(ASAFR)的活性;133.7和251.7 mg/kg Vc试验组能显著提高肝脏HSP60基因表达水平,251.5 mg/kg Vc试验组能显著提高肝脏HSP70和HSP90基因表达水平(P0.05);各Vc试验组鱼的成活率在感染嗜水气单胞菌后12h、24h均显著高于对照组(P0.05),其中以251.5 mg/kg Vc试验组效果最佳。在日粮中添加Vc对鱼体血清碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、总蛋白(TP)、白蛋白(Alb)、皮质醇(COR)以及肝脏丙二醛(MDA)的水平无显著影响(P0.05)。综上所述,在试验条件下,Vc作为免疫刺激剂,其水平为133.7—251.5 mg/kg时能有效地增强团头鲂幼鱼的免疫力。     

Antioxidant activity and metabolite profile of quercetin in vitamin-E-depleted rats

Dietary antioxidants interact in a dynamic fashion, including recycling and sparing one another, to decrease oxidative stress. Limited information is available regarding the interrelationships in vivo between quercetin and vitamin E. We investigated the antioxidant activity and metabolism of quercetin (Q) in 65 F-344 rats (n=13 per group) randomly assigned to the following vitamin E (VE)-replete and -deficient diets: (a) VE replete (30 mg alpha-tocopherol acetate/kg diet) control ad libitum (C-AL), (b) VE replete pair fed (C-PF), (c) VE replete+5.0 g Q/kg diet (R-VE+5Q), (d) VE deplete (<1 mg/kg total tocopherols)+5.0 g Q/kg diet (D-VE+5Q) and (e) D-VE. After 12 weeks, blood and tissue were collected for measurement of plasma vitamin E, quercetin and its metabolites, serum pyruvate kinase (PK), plasma protein carbonyls, malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity. D-VE diets decreased serum alpha-tocopherol and increased PK activity in a time-dependent manner. The D-VE diet increased plasma protein carbonyls but did not affect MDA. Dietary quercetin supplementation increased quercetin and its metabolites in plasma and liver but did not affect D-VE-induced changes in plasma alpha-tocopherol, PK or protein carbonyls. Plasma isorhamnetin and its disposition in muscle were enhanced by the D-VE diet, as compared to the R-VE diet. Conversely, tamarixetin disposition in muscle was decreased by the D-VE diet. Thus, quercetin did not slow vitamin E decline in vivo; neither did it provide antioxidant activity in vitamin-E-depleted rats. However, vitamin E status appears to enhance the distribution of isorhamnetin into the circulation and its disposition in muscle.     

异育银鲫幼鱼对饲料中维生素K需求的研究

以不同维生素K水平(0.13、2.15、3.25、6.40、12、17.20和23.20 mg/kg饲料)的7种精制饲料喂养初始体重约为(2.17±0.01) g的异育银鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)10周, 每个处理3个重复, 研究异育银鲫对维生素K的需求量。结果显示: 饲料中维生素K的添加可以明显降低摄食率, 饲料中维生素K含量为2.15 mg/kg时, 摄食率出现最大值, 之后显著下降(P<0.05), 在12 mg/kg时达到最低值。特定生长率随着维生素K的添加表现出升高的趋势, 饲料中维生素K含量为12 mg/kg时, 出现最大值, 但是差异不显著(P>0.05)。饲料中维生素K的含量从0.13 mg/kg升至3.25 mg/kg时, 饲料效率显著升高(P<0.05), 随着饲料中维生素K的进一步添加, 趋于稳定(P>0.05), 在12 mg/kg时达到最大值, 并且与特定生长率呈正相关关系(SGR=0.01 FE+0.95, R²=0.95)。血液红细胞数目随着饲料维生素K含量的增加先显著升高(P<0.05), 在6.40 mg/kg时达到最大值, 之后趋于稳定(P>0.05)。血红蛋白含量、血球容积比、血清钙含量与血液中红细胞数目表现出相似的趋势, 均在不添加维生素K组出现最低值, 但是差异不显著(P>0.05)。肝体比、肥满度及鱼体生化组成均不受饲料维生素K水平的影响(P>0.05)。分别对饲料效率、红细胞数目进行折线回归得出异育银鲫幼鱼对维生素K的最适需求量为3.73—6.72 mg/kg饲料。     

In vivo antioxidant properties of vitamin e and chromium in cold-stressed Japanese quails

An experiment was conducted to determine if vitamin E (α-tocopherol acetate) and chromium (chromium picolinate, Cr Pic) supplementation attenuate the negative effects of cold stress on egg production, egg quality, serum metabolites, and antioxidant status in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). One hundred and fifty laying Japanese quails (50-day-old) were divided into five groups, 30 birds per group. The laying quails kept at 6°C for 12 h/d (08.00 p.m. to 08.00 a.m.) were fed either a basal diet (low temperature-basal diet, CS group) or the basal diet supplemented with either 400 μg of Cr/kg of diet (Cr group), 250 mg of α-tocopherol-acetate per kg of diet (Vit. E group) or 400 μg of Cr plus 250 mg of α-tocopherol-acetate per kg of diet (Vit. E + Cr group) while quails kept at 18°C were fed a basal diet (thermo-neutral-basal diet, TN group). Performance and egg quality were significantly reduced in CS group compared with TN group. Supplemental chromium and vitamin E significantly increased live weight change, egg production, and improved feed efficiency in cold-stressed laying hens compared with the group fed the basal diet at 6°C. Egg production and egg weight were also greater (P < 0.05) in each supplemental group compared with the CS group. However, a combination of vitamin E and chromium, rather than each separately, provided the greatest performance. Supplemental vitamin E and chromium also increased serum vitamin C and E but, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (P < 0.05); the combination of vitamin E and chromium resulted in the highest levels of serum vitamin C and E within the cold-stressed quails. Results of the present study indicate that combined antioxidant supplements increased performance, egg quality and serum antioxidant levels while lowering MDA in cold-stressed quails.     

Protective role of supplemental vitamin E and selenium on lipid peroxidation, vitamin E, vitamin A, and some mineral concentrations of Japanese quails reared under heat stress

This study was conducted to determine the effects of vitamin E and selenium (Se) on lipid peroxidation (MDA), serum and liver concentration of antioxidant vitamins, and some minerals of Japanese quails reared under heat stress (34°C). One hundred twenty 10-d-old Japanese qualis (60 males, 60 females) were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups, 3 replicates of 10 birds each. The experiment was designed in a 2×2 factorial arrangement using two levels of vitamin E (125 and 250 mg/kg of diet) and two levels of selenium (0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg of diet). Greater dietary vitamin E and selenium inclusions resulted in a greater (p=0.001) serum vitamin E and vitamin A, but lower (p=0.001) MDA concentrations. Liver vitamin E and vitamin A concentrations increased (p=0.001) and MDA concentrations decreased (p=0.001) when both dietary vitamin E and selenium increased. No interactions between vitamin E and selenium were detected (p≥0.11) for any parameters. Increasing both dietary vitamin E and selenium caused an increase in serum concentrations of Fe and Zn (p=0.001), but a decrease in serum concentration of Cu (p=0.001). Results of the present study showed that dietary vitamin E and selenium have synergistic effects and that supplementing a combination of dietary vitamin E (250 mg/kg of diet) and selenium (0.2 mg/kg of diet) offers a good management practice to reduce heat stress-related depression in performance of Japanese quails.     

Effects of vitamin C and vitamin E on lipid peroxidation, blood serum metabolites, and mineral concentrations of laying hens reared at high ambient temperature

This study was conducted to determine the effects of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate) on serum concentrations of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and some metabolite and mineral in laying hens reared at high ambient temperatures ranging from 25 degrees C to 35 degrees C. One hundred twenty laying hens (18 wk old; Hy-Line) were divided into 4 groups, 30 hens per group. The laying hens were fed either a basal diet (control) or the basal diet supplemented with either 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid/kg of diet (vitamin C), 250 mg of alpha-tocopherol acetate/kg of diet (vitamin E), or 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid plus 250 mg alpha-tocopherol acetate/kg of diet (combination). Separately or as a combination vitamins C and E increased serum vitamin C and vitamin E concentrations (p < 0.001) but decreased serum MDA concentration (p < 0.05). Serum concentrations of vitamin E and vitamin C were found highest but serum MDA concentration was lowest in the combination group. Supplemental vitamins C and E either separately or in a combination increased serum T3 and T4 concentrations (p < 0.05), whereas decreased serum ACTH concentration (p < 0.01). Serum glucose and cholesterol concentrations decreased, whereas serum protein concentration increased (p < 0.05) when vitamins C and E singly or together were added to the diet. Vitamin C and vitamin E supplementation resulted in an increase in serum concentrations of Ca, P, and K (p < 0.01) but a decrease in serum concentration of Na (p < 0.05). The results of the present study suggest that supplemental vitamin C and vitamin E alter serum lipid peroxidation, vitamin C, vitamin E and metabolite status, and diets supplemented with a combination of these two vitamins offer a good management practice in laying hens reared at high temperatures. In addition, the results suggest that dietary vitamin C and vitamin E act synergistically.     

Garlic and vitamin E provides antioxidant defence in tissues of female rats treated with nicotine

Nicotine is known to induce oxidative stress in rat tissues and the antioxidant properties of garlic have been reported. This study was designed to determine if the peroxidative damage caused by nicotine administration can be effectively prevented with garlic juice, and vitamin E, a known antioxidant.Four groups of six rats each were divided into: Group I: (control) received 0.2ml of 0.9% normal saline, group II (received nicotine 0.6mg/kg b.w subcutaneously), group III (received nicotine 0.6mg/kg b.w + garlic juice 100mg/kg b.w orally), and group IV (received nicotine 0.6mg/kg b.w + Vitamin E 100mg/kg b.w orally). All animals were treated for 21 days. The pituitary gland, ovary, uterus, heart, liver and kidney of the animals were harvested, weighed and homogenized. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were then measured.Concentration of MDA was significantly increased in tissues of nicotine treated rats when compared with the control. In group III and IV, MDA levels were significantly reduced when compared with nicotine group. The activities of SOD and GSH significantly decreased in group II (nicotine only) rat tissues, while it was significantly increased in group III and IV rat tissues. The study showed that garlic juice extract (100mg/kg b.w) and vitamin E (100mg/kg b.w) administration prevented oxidative damage in rat tissues treated with nicotine. The study also showed that vitamin E has a more potent antioxidant activity than garlic juice in preventing nicotine induced oxidative damage in rat. Keywords: Nicotine, Vitamin E, Garlic, antioxidant.