两种不同复合诱食剂添加水平的饲料中添加甜菜碱对凡纳滨对虾生长性能、饲料利用、脂质代谢和免疫应答的影响

实验旨在研究两种含不同水平复合诱食剂(8%, 0)的基础饲料中添加甜菜碱对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)生长性能、饲料利用率、脂质代谢和免疫应答的影响。共制备原料型复合诱食剂对照组(P)、豆粕替代原料型诱食剂组(N)及在二者基础上分别添加0.6%甜菜碱的PB组和NB组等四组饲料,喂养幼虾[初始体重(0.71±0.00) g] 7周。结果显示,饲料中添加原料型复合诱食剂可提高对虾肝胰腺中fas、acc、sod、dorsal和relish及肠道toll和sod的表达量,而肠道中relish表达量则相反。饲料中添加甜菜碱可提高对虾肌肉灰分含量,上调对虾肝胰腺中fas、acc、sod和dorsal及肠道中sod的表达量,而降低摄食量、肌肉粗脂肪和血淋巴中低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和丙二醛的含量及肝胰腺总一氧化氮合酶活性,下调肝胰腺中acox、cpt-1、myd88和relish的表达量。原料型复合诱食剂与甜菜碱在对虾的饲料系数、肝胰腺总一氧化氮合酶活力、ampk、acc、cpt-1、sod、myd88和relish表达量等指标上呈现显著的交互作用。由此可见,饲料中添加1.30%...     

果胶和木聚糖对中华绒螯蟹肠道菌群结构的影响

本研究旨在揭示果胶和木聚糖对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)肠道菌群结构的影响。将果胶和麦麸(木聚糖源)分别以8%和30%的比例添加到饲料中制成试验饲料,将经过酶解的果胶和麦麸添加到饲料中制备成对照饲料,饲养初始体重为(5.9依0.4)g的中华绒螯蟹8周。养殖试验结束后,采用16S r DNA荧光定量PCR法分析测定了中华绒螯蟹肠道菌群结构。结果显示中华绒螯蟹肠道细菌主要由变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、梭杆菌门(Fusobacteria)的细菌组成。果胶组肠道菌群丰度指数Ace和Chao分别低于其对照组31%和39%,肠道菌群多样性指数Simpson比对照组高25%,而Shannon指数比对照组低48%。木聚糖组Ace和Chao指数均比果胶组高约25%,比其酶解对照组高约14%。木聚糖组的多样性指数与其酶解木聚糖组及果胶组的差异较小。上述结果表明,果胶和木聚糖均影响中华绒螯蟹肠道的菌群结构,但两者对肠道菌群丰度的影响不同。     

基于稳定同位素的黄河三角洲盐碱地稻蟹种养系统中华绒螯蟹食物源分析

为探讨盐碱地稻蟹种养系统中华绒螯蟹食物源构成,2020年6—10月,在山东东营垦利区,采集稻田中华绒螯蟹及其所有可能食物来源样品,包括植物(伊乐藻、菹草、金鱼藻、浮萍、水稻茎叶、稻谷)、动物(底栖动物、浮游动物)、有机碎屑和人工饲料(配合饲料、玉米粕),并利用碳、氮稳定同位素(δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N)值进行分析,定量其在中华绒螯蟹食物组成中的贡献率。结果表明: 食物源样品δ¹³C值范围为-30.09‰～-11.24‰,δ¹⁵N值范围为0.03‰～12.78‰,不同食物源δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N值呈现明显差异。中华绒螯蟹肌肉中δ¹³C值变化范围为-24.61‰～-20.08‰,δ¹⁵N值变化范围为4.74‰～9.21‰,表明稻蟹种养系统中华绒螯蟹食物来源较丰富。养殖期间各食源贡献率为植物(46.7%～57.1%)>动物(21.5%～24.5%)>人工饲料(10.9%～21.3%)>有机碎屑(7.1%～7.9%)。可见,盐碱地稻田系统天然饵料基本能够满足中华绒螯蟹摄食需求,即使本试验投喂非动物性人工饵料,也未改变中华绒螯蟹主要食源贡献率。     

四种植物蛋白对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹生长性能、氨基酸沉积率和抗氧化酶活性的影响

为了筛选适宜于养殖中华绒螯蟹幼蟹的饲料植物蛋白源,探究不同植物蛋白源饲料对幼蟹生长性能、氨基酸沉积率和抗氧化性能等方面的影响,以50%的鱼粉配制基础饲料（记为FM）,分别采用30.5%发酵豆粕、32.5%豆粕、28%棉粕和39%菜粕替代基础饲料中鱼粉总量的50%,配制成4种等氮等能的饲料（分别记为FSBM、SBM、CSM和RSM）,投喂初始体重为（0.249±0.003）g的中华绒螯蟹幼蟹8周。结果表明:（1）与FM组相比,FSBM、SBM和CSM组的增重率、特定生长率、饲料系数、蛋白质效率和蛋白质沉积率均没有显著性差异;RSM组的增重率与FM组相比差异不显著（P>0.05）,但显著低于SBM组（P < 0.05）,而其饲料系数则显著高于FM、FSBM及SBM组（P < 0.05）,蛋白质效率显著低于其他各组（P < 0.05）,蛋白质沉积率显著低于SBM和CSM组（P < 0.05）。（2）不同植物蛋白组的总必需氨基酸沉积率和FM组相比差异不显著（P>0.05）,而RSM组总必需氨基酸沉积率显著低于FSBM和CSM组（P < 0.05）。（3）与FM组相比,不同植物蛋白组蟹的血清和肝胰腺中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）活性和肝胰腺丙二醛（MDA）含量并没有显著的影响,而RSM组血清丙二醛（MDA）含量显著的高于其他各组（P < 0.05）。结果表明,在幼蟹饲料中,豆粕、发酵豆粕和棉粕替代基础配方中鱼粉的50%后并未对幼蟹的生长性能、氨基酸沉积率及抗氧化能力造成负面的影响,发酵豆粕、豆粕和棉粕可以作为替代鱼粉的适宜蛋白源,且添加水平约在30%左右。菜粕替代后降低了饲料的利用和氨基酸沉积效率,这可能是由于菜粕的蛋白质消化率低、含有相应的抗营养因子和添加水平过高所致,建议使用前应适当进行脱毒处理,并与或和其他植物蛋白配伍使用。     

投喂不同油脂饲料对中华绒螯蟹免疫、代谢及耐低氧性能的影响

为研究饲料中添加鱼油和豆油对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)成蟹生长、免疫、代谢和耐低氧性能的影响,配制了添加不同比例鱼油和豆油的3种蟹用饲料,添加3%鱼油饲料组、3%豆油饲料组、3%鱼油和豆油混合组(1∶1,质量比),将其分别投喂中华绒螯蟹115 d后测量蟹体重、壳长和壳宽的变化,再将其放入溶解氧(dissolved oxygen,DO)为(9.06±0.06)mg/L和(2.57±0.44)mg/L的水体中,测定其免疫、代谢指标及耐低氧性能的变化。结果发现:投喂添加3种不同油脂饲料的中华绒螯蟹各组间体重无显著性差异;低氧胁迫对中华绒螯蟹代谢指标影响较大;添加鱼油和豆油混合油饲料组中华绒螯蟹血细胞密度、血蓝蛋白含量及超氧化物歧化酶、酸性和碱性磷酸酶、乳酸脱氢酶的活性都为最高,说明鱼油与豆油混合添加对中华绒螯蟹免疫和抗氧化能力有促进作用,并增加其耐低氧能力。     

高比例棉粕饲料中补充蛋氨酸对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹摄食、生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响

以40%棉粕为主的混合蛋白源制成基础饲料, 分别在其中添加0.00%、0.14%、0.28%、0.42%、0.56%蛋氨酸(分别记为0.00%Met、0.14%Met、0.28%Met、0.42%Met和0.56%Met), 配制了5种等氮等能的试验饲料, 以全鱼粉组(64.4%鱼粉)作为对照, 探讨了在高比例棉粕饲料中补充蛋氨酸对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹(0.390.02) g的摄食率、生长率和机体抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明: 与全鱼粉对照组相比, 0.42%Met组的增重率、特定生长率和饲料系数均无显著差异(P0.05), 但其显著高于0.00%Met、0.14%Met和0.28%Met组(P0.05); 增重率和特定生长率则显著高于0.56%Met组(P0.05); 从幼蟹的摄食量和蛋白质沉积率来看, 0.42%Met和0.28%Met组的摄食量与对照组相似, 当蛋氨酸的补充量低于0.28%或高于0.42%时, 幼蟹的摄食量均有所下降; 统计表明, 对照组的蛋白质沉积率最高(23.20%), 在各试验组中, 0.28%Met和0.42%Met组之间的蛋白质沉积率无显著差异(P0.05), 但显著高于0.00%Met、0.14%Met和0.56%Met组(P0.05); 分析幼蟹的肠道胰蛋白酶活性, 发现0.42%Met组与对照组之间无显著性差异(P0.05), 但均显著高于其他各试验组(P0.05); 0.28%Met、0.42%Met和0.56%Met处理组的血清丙二醛含量、超氧化物歧化酶活性和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性与对照组无显著差异(P0.05)。结果提示, 在高比例植物蛋白(40%棉粕)的基础饲料中, 补充0.42%Met能够显著提高中华绒螯蟹幼蟹的生长率、消化率和抗氧化酶的活性。       

饲料中添加合成虾青素对中华绒螯蟹成体雌蟹性腺发育、色泽和抗氧化能力的影响

采用在基础饲料中分别添加0、130和260 mg/kg的合成虾青素配制成3种粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量分别为42%和16%的等氮等脂的中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)育肥饲料(分别记为饲料1、2和3), 以中华绒螯蟹商业育肥饲料作为饲料4, 分别投喂4组雌蟹(每个饲料组3个重复水槽, 每个水槽中12只蟹), 进行为期60d的室内养殖实验, 以探讨添加合成虾青素对中华绒螯蟹成体雌蟹性腺发育、色泽及抗氧化能力的影响。结果显示: (1)实验进行到30d和60d, 在饲料中添加虾青素对雌体肝胰腺指数(HSI)和性腺指数(GSI)均无显著影响(P>0.05)。(2)性腺、肝胰腺和头胸甲中的总类胡萝卜素含量和红度值(a值)均以饲料3组最高, 性腺亮度值(L值)和黄度值(b值)以饲料1组最高(P<0.05); 饲料2组头胸甲的b值最高, 饲料1组最低(P<0.05)。(3) 饲料1组中华绒螯蟹血清过氧化物酶(POD)活性显著高于其他组, 饲料4组的过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、丙二醛(MDA)和乳酸(LD)含量最高(P<0.05); 肝胰腺中的SOD、T-AOC、GSH-Px和GR活性均以饲料1组最高, 饲料2组最低(P<0.05)。(4) 饲料2组血清酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性和血蓝蛋白(Hc)含量显著高于其他组, 其余各组间差异不显著。血清中的碱性磷酸酶(ALP)和γ-谷氨酰转移酶(γ-GT)活性和一氧化氮(NO)含量均以饲料4组最高(P<0.05), 肝胰腺中的ACP、ALP和γ-GT活性以饲料1组最高。综上, 在育肥饲料中添加合成虾青素对成体雌蟹性腺发育无显著影响, 但可显著提高头胸甲、肝胰腺和卵巢中的类胡萝卜素总量、色泽和抗氧化能力, 建议雌蟹育肥饲料中合成虾青素的含量为90 mg/kg左右。     

中华绒螯蟹幼蟹对亮氨酸和异亮氨酸的需要量

以初始体重为(0.900.02) g的中华绒螯蟹幼蟹为试验对象, 采用酪蛋白、明胶、进口鱼粉和晶体氨基酸为蛋白源, 配制成12组试验饲料, 研究中华绒螯蟹幼蟹对亮氨酸(Leu)和异亮氨酸(Ile)的需要量。饲料中Leu水平为0.87%、1.26%、1.64%、2.03%、2.39%和2.81% (分别记为Leu-1Leu-6组), Ile水平为0.69%、1.21%、1.70%、2.19%、2.70%和3.21% (分别记为Ile-1Ile-6组)。试验周期为60d。结果表明: (1)饲料中Leu含量为2.39%时, 幼蟹特定生长率和全蟹粗蛋白含量达到最大值, 而各组之间的成活率和全蟹水分、粗脂肪以及灰分无显著差异(P 0.05)。当饲料Leu含量大于2.39%时, 河蟹肌肉Leu含量、肌肉必需氨基酸总量和肌肉氨基酸总量均显著高于其他各试验组(P 0.05)。(2)饲料中Ile含量为2.19%时, 幼蟹特定生长率和全蟹粗蛋白含量达到最大值, 而各试验组之间的成活率和全蟹水分、粗脂肪以及灰分差异不显著(P 0.05)。河蟹肌肉Ile含量、必需氨基酸总量和氨基酸总量随饲料中Ile含量增加呈先升高后降低的趋势, 最大值均出现在Ile-5组(2.70% Ile), 但Ile-4组(2.19% Ile)与Ile-5组差异不显著(P 0.05)。根据特定生长率与饲料Leu或Ile水平的折线模型, 确定中华绒螯蟹幼蟹饲料亮氨酸和异亮氨酸的适宜需要量分别为饲料干物质的2.36%和2.25%, 即饲料蛋白的5.88%和5.72%。       

饲料中不同淀粉水平对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹生长、饲料利用的影响

实验配制7种等氮(粗蛋白35%)、等脂(粗脂肪6%)的不同淀粉水平(4%、10%、16%、22%、28%、34%、40%)的饲料,投喂中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)幼蟹[初始均重(6.2±0.1)g]8周,通过生长和生理指标评价中华绒螯蟹幼蟹对饲料碳水化合物的利用能力。为避免互相残杀,河蟹采用静水单个养殖,每种饲料40只河蟹。玉米淀粉作为实验饲料碳水化合物主要来源。实验结果表明:饲料中34%—40%淀粉组的摄食率显著低于4%—16%组(P0.05)。随饲料中淀粉含量提高幼蟹的体重和壳长特定生长率也相应提高,34%淀粉组体重特定生长率显著高于4%淀粉组(P0.05),22%淀粉组的壳长特定生长率显著高于4%淀粉组(P0.05);饲料中淀粉含量的增加显著提高了饲料效率,且在40%淀粉组最高。饲料高淀粉可提高蛋白储积率,蟹的肝体比在16%淀粉组最低,而蜕壳率和成活率在该组最高。蟹体干物质、粗蛋白、粗脂肪和灰分在高饲料淀粉组较高。幼蟹胰蛋白酶活力在16%淀粉组最高(P0.05);肝糖原含量随饲料淀粉水平升高呈线性(y=0.2268x+17.256,R2=0.9453,n=7,P0.05)上升。通过二次多项式回归可以得出河蟹获得最大特定生长率时饲料淀粉的含量为25.6%。     

中华绒螯蟹蜕皮抑制激素基因全长cDNA克隆和重组表达

根据实验室分离自中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)的一种蜕皮抑制激素(Molting-inhibiting hormone,MIH)N端氨基酸测序结果设计简并引物,采用RACE方法,首次从中华绒螯蟹眼柄中克隆到蜕皮抑制激素基因全长cDNA(Es-MIH,GenBank登录号:DQ341280),该基因全长为1457 bp,开放阅读框为330 bp,编码110个氨基酸(含有35个氨基酸的信号肽);其成熟肽包含C7-C44、C24-C40和C27-C53三个二硫键,有典型的CHH家族结构域。该cDNA编码的氨基酸序列与地蟹(Gecarcinus lateralis)MIH同源性最高,达到了85%。Northern杂交和半定量RT-PCR显示蜕皮间期成体蟹仅在眼柄中有MIH基因表达,提示该基因的表达具有一定组织特异性。利用pCR T7/NT TOPO TA系统重组表达MIH成熟肽,纯化的重组蛋白得率为0.3 g/L,纯化产物经质谱鉴定为中华绒螯蟹MIH。研究解决了CHH家族神经肽在机体中的表达量少,直接纯化较难的问题,为深入研究MIH的作用机制和在生产上控制中华绒螯蟹蜕皮和生长奠定了基础。     

鱼溶浆、酶解鱼溶浆和酶解鱼浆完全替代鱼粉对黄颡鱼生长的影响

为了探究鱼溶浆、酶解鱼溶浆和酶解鱼浆完全替代鱼粉后对黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)生长的影响, 在黄颡鱼实用型日粮配方模式下, 以28%的日本级蒸汽鱼粉为对照(FM), 按照FM组鱼粉蛋白质量的15%、30%和45%三个梯度, 分别添加鱼溶浆(SW15、SW30和SW45)、酶解鱼溶浆(SWH15、SWH30和SWH45)、酶解鱼浆(FPH15、FPH30和FPH45)完全替代鱼粉, 设计共10组等氮等能日粮, 每组设定3个重复, 在池塘网箱中养殖初始体重(18.68±0.10) g /尾黄颡鱼60d。结果显示: (1)以FM为对照, SW的3个试验组黄颡鱼的SGR降低9.89%—20.33%(P<0.05), FCR增加18.79%—44.85%(P<0.05); SWH试验组中SWH15和SWH45的SGR相对FM组分别降低8.79%和14.84%, FCR相对FM组增加16.97%和27.88%, 差异显著(P<0.05); FPH试验组中FPH15和FPH45的SGR相对FM组降低13.18%和15.38%, FCR相对FM增加30.30%和29.70%, 差异显著(P<0.05); (2)SWH30和FPH30组的SGR、FCR与FM组无显著差异(P>0.05); (3)相对于SW, 同等添加量SWH的SGR增加4.40%—9.39%, FCR降低9.81%—15.31%(P<0.05); (4)与FM组的FIFO值相比, SW30、SWH30和FPH30的FIFO值仅为0.67、0.61和0.60, 降低67.67%—70.15%(P<0.05)。结果表明: 在黄颡鱼日粮中, 8.5%添加量的酶解鱼溶浆(干物质)、8.2%添加量的酶解鱼浆(干物质)可以完全替代鱼粉(28%), 而相应的FIFO值分别比鱼粉组降低了69.95%和70.15%; 酶解鱼溶浆对黄颡鱼的生长效果优于鱼溶浆。日粮中过高或过低添加量的鱼溶浆、酶解鱼溶浆和酶解鱼浆都会导致黄颡鱼的生长速度和饲料效率下降。     

Methionine metabolism in mammals. Adaptation to methionine excess

We conducted a systematic evaluation of the effects of increasing levels of dietary methionine on the metabolites and enzymes of methionine metabolism in rat liver. Significant decreases in hepatic concentrations of betaine and serine occurred when the dietary methionine was raised from 0.3 to 1.0%. We observed increased concentrations of S-adenosylhomocysteine in livers of rats fed 1.5% methionine and of S-adenosylmethionine and methionine only when the diet contained 3.0% methionine. Methionine supplementation resulted in decreased hepatic levels of methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase and increased levels of methionine adenosyltransferase, betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase, and cystathionine synthase. We used these data to simulate the regulatory locus formed by the enzymes which metabolize homocysteine in livers of rats fed 0.3% methionine, 1.5% methionine, and 3.0% methionine. In comparison to the model for the 0.3% methionine diet group, the model for the 3.0% methionine animals demonstrates a 12-fold increase in the synthesis of cystathionine, a 150% increase in flow through the betaine reaction, and a 550% increase in total metabolism of homocysteine. The concentrations of substrates and other metabolites are significant determinants of this apparent adaptation.     

大蒜素对白色念珠菌感染小鼠神经内分泌免疫系统调节作用的研究(英文)

本研究旨在探讨大蒜素对白色念珠菌感染小鼠神经内分泌免疫系统(NEI)的调节作用。将小鼠随机分为三组:正常对照组、模型组、大蒜素组。除正常对照组外,模型组、大蒜素组分别建立小鼠白色念珠菌感染模型。大蒜素组小鼠给予大蒜素灌胃,其余组给予等量生理盐水。连续用药14 d后,各组小鼠取血测定促肾上腺激素(ACTH)、皮质酮(CORT)、β-内啡肽(β-EP)、5-羟色胺(5-HT)的水平,测定胸腺指数及脾脏淋巴细胞增殖活性。实验结果显示,模型组小鼠NEI功能发生紊乱,与正常对照组相比,ACTH、CORT、β-EP水平均明显升高,5-HT、胸腺指数及脾脏淋巴细胞增殖活性均明显下降,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。而大蒜素组小鼠ACTH、CORT、β-EP水平较之模型组明显下降,5-HT、胸腺指数及脾脏淋巴细胞增殖活性明显升高,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。综上所述,本研究提示大蒜素对白色念珠菌感染小鼠紊乱的NEI具有明显的调节作用。     

Yeast hydrolysate as a low-cost additive to serum-free medium for the production of human thrombopoietin in suspension cultures of Chinese hamster ovary cells

To enhance the performance of a serum-free medium (SFM) for human thrombopoietin (hTPO) production in suspension cultures of recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cells, several low-cost hydrolysates such as yeast hydrolysate (YH), soy hydrolysate, wheat gluten hydrolysate and rice hydrolysate were tested as medium additives. Among various hydrolysates tested, the positive effect of YH on hTPO production was most significant. When 5 g l^–1 YH was added to SFM, the maximum hTPO concentration in batch culture was 40.41 g ml^–1, which is 11.5 times higher than that in SFM without YH supplementation. This enhanced hTPO production in YH-supplemented SFM was obtained by the combined effect of enhanced q_hTPO (the specific rate of hTPO production). The supplementation of YH in SFM increased q_hTPO by 294% and extended culture longevity by >2 days if the culture was terminated at a cell viability of 50%. Furthermore, cell viability throughout the culture using YH-supplemented SFM was higher than that using any other hydrolysate-supplemented SFM tested, thereby minimizing degradation of hTPO susceptible to proteolytic degradation. In addition, YH supplementation did not affect in vivo biological activity of hTPO. Taken together, the results obtained demonstrate the potential of YH as a medium additive for hTPO production in serum-free suspension cultures of rCHO cells.     

Supplementing sow gestation diets with betaine during summer increases litter size of sows with greater numbers of parities

Conducted during the Australian summer, this experiment evaluated the reproductive performance of sows receiving a diet supplemented with betaine, a potent organic osmolyte and methyl donor. Large White/Landrace/Duroc sows (n=450) ranging in parity from 1 to 7 (parity 2.9 ± 0.10, mean ± SEM), and mated between the 11th of January and 11th February were used. The treatments compared the effects of two gestation diets (standard (Stand) compared to betaine (Bet) supplemented) and two parity groups (parities one and two (P1/2) versus parity three and greater (P3+) on pregnancy outcomes and litter size. The betaine diet was fed from d 3 ± 1 post-mating until farrowing, with betaine content of the diet altered during gestation to ensure a daily intake of 7.6-9.0 g/sow. Liveweight (LW) and LW gain were unaffected by gestation diet; however, on d 1 of lactation P2 backfat (P2) tended (P=0.07) to be greater for standard compared to betaine fed sows (22.5 ± 0.42 compared to 21.5 ± 0.42 mm). P2, LW and LW gain were greater (P<0.05) for P3+ compared to P1/2 sows. Sow farrowing rate (0.79) was unaffected by gestation diet. Total litter size was greater (P<0.05) for Bet3+ (13.6 ± 0.35) sows compared to Stand3+ (12.1 ± 0.34), BetP1/2 (12.1 ± 0.36) and StandP1/2 (12.3 ± 0.38) sows. In conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate that gestational betaine supplementation during summer increased litter size of sows with greater numbers of parities.     

Maternal inflammatory diet and adverse pregnancy outcomes: Circulating cytokines and genomic imprinting as potential regulators?

Excessive inflammation during pregnancy alters homeostatic mechanisms of the developing fetus and has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. An anti-inflammatory diet could be a promising avenue to combat the pro-inflammatory state of pregnancy, particularly in obese women, but we lack mechanistic data linking this dietary pattern during pregnancy to inflammation and birth outcomes. In an ethnically diverse cohort of 1057 mother-child pairs, we estimated the relationships between dietary inflammatory potential [measured via the energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII?)] and birth outcomes overall, as well as by offspring sex and maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). In a subset of women, we also explored associations between E-DII, circulating cytokines (n = 105), and offspring methylation (n = 338) as potential modulators of these relationships using linear regression. Adjusted regression models revealed that women with pro-inflammatory diets had elevated rates of preterm birth among female offspring [β = ?0.22, standard error (SE) = 0.07, P<0.01], but not male offspring (β=0.09, SE = 0.06, P<0.12) (P_interaction = 0.003). Similarly, we observed pro-inflammatory diets were associated with higher rates of caesarean delivery among obese women (β = 0.17, SE = 0.08, P = 0.03), but not among women with BMI <25 kg/m² (P_interaction = 0.02). We observed consistent inverse associations between maternal inflammatory cytokine concentrations (IL-12, IL-17, IL-4, IL-6, and TNFα) and lower methylation at the MEG3 regulatory sequence (P<0.05); however, results did not support the link between maternal E-DII and circulating cytokines. We replicate work by others on the association between maternal inflammatory diet and adverse pregnancy outcomes and provide the first empirical evidence supporting the inverse association between circulating cytokine concentrations and offspring methylation.     

Effects of rumen-protected betaine supplementation on meat quality and the composition of fatty and amino acids in growing lambs

Rumen-protected betaine (RPB) can enhance betaine absorption in the small intestine of ruminants, while betaine can alter fat distribution and has the potential to affect the meat quality of livestock. Hence, we hypothesized that RPB might also affect the meat quality of lambs. Sixty male Hu sheep of similar weight (30.47 ± 2.04 kg) were selected and randomly subjected to five different treatments. The sheep were fed a control diet (control treatment, CTL); 1.1 g/day unprotected-betaine supplemented diet (UPB); or doses of 1.1 g/day (low RPB treatment; L-PB), 2.2 g/day (middle RPB treatment; M-PB) or 3.3 g/day (high RPB treatment; H-PB) RPB-supplemented diet for 70 days. Slaughter performance, meat quality, fatty acid and amino acid content in the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle, shoulder muscle (SM) and gluteus muscle (GM) were measured. Compared with CTL, betaine (including UPB and RPB) supplementation increased the average daily weight gain (ADG) (P < 0.05) and average daily feed intake (P < 0.01) of lambs. Rumen-protected betaine increased ADG (P < 0.05) compared with UPB. With increasing RPB doses, the eye muscle area of the lambs linearly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with CTL, betaine supplementation decreased water loss (P < 0.05) in SM and increased pH₂₄ in the SM (P < 0.05) and GM (P < 0.05). Compared with UPB, RPB decreased water loss in the GM (P < 0.01), decreased shear force (P < 0.05) in the LD and SM and increased the pH of the meat 24 h after slaughter (pH₂₄). With increasing RPB doses, the shear force and b* value in the LD linearly decreased (P < 0.05), and the pH₂₄ of the meat quadratically increased (P < 0.05). Compared with CTL, betaine supplementation increased the polyunsaturated fatty acid in the GM (P < 0.05). Compared with UPB, RPB supplementation decreased the saturated fatty acid (SFA) content in the LD (P < 0.05) and increased the unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), mono-unsaturated fatty acids and UFA/SFA ratio in the LD (P < 0.05). Compared with CTL, the content of histidine in the LD increased with betaine supplementation. Compared with UPB, RPB supplementation increased the content of total free amino acids and flavor amino acids in the LD of lambs (P < 0.05). With increasing RPB, the isoleucine and phenylalanine contents in the LD linearly increased (P < 0.05). Overall, the data collected indicated that the meat quality of lambs (especially in the LD) improved as a result of betaine supplementation, and RPB showed better effects than those of UPB.     

Proteolysis in vitro as the Way of Modification of the Protein Trophic Component

The protein hydrolysates of two types, fodder and for microbiological medium, have been obtained in vitro, using protein containing wastes of Iceland scallop fishery (WSF) and enzyme preparation from the red king crab hepatopancreas. The degree of protein degradation and composition of obtained hydrolysates were analyzed. Intensive protein hydrolysis was necessary to obtain the microbiological diagnostic cultural media that fit trophic requirements for 12 microbial test-cultures. Addition of the fodder protein hydrolysate to diet of juvenile salmons Salmo salar during mixed feeding produces a positive effect on their survival; the 5 and 20% replacement of fish flour by the fodder hydrolysate results in a reduction of fish mortality by 21 and 57%, respectively. The living weight of chickens increased by 15% after substitution of the 10% fish flour by the fodder WSF hydrolysate in their diet. The results obtained can be explained by a more effective assimilation of partly hydrolyzed proteins in comparison with native ones.     

Effects of a new amino acid supplement on blood AA pools in patients with chronic renal failure

Summary We designed a new formula for AA supplement in order to correct blood pools of AA in chronic renal failure (CRF). This supplement was given to 5 patients with CRF and its effectiveness was tested during long term (12–24 weeks) administration. The patients had previously been on a diet providing 0.6 g of protein and 34–36 kcal/kg/day. The diet was then modified to one providing the same caloric content but only 0.3 g/kg high biological value protein per day with the addition of the AA supplement (0.3 g/kg). The new diet corrected most of the abnormalities in blood AA pools. After 1 month of treatment Val, Leu, Thr, Ser and Tyr levels rose and became normal throughout the study. Ratios Tyr/Phe, Ser/Gly and Val/Gly also improved. During the treatment no side effect or toxicity was observed, and serum albumin, transferrin and nutritional anthropometric parameters persisted to be normal. It is concluded that this specially designed AA supplement added to a hypoproteic diet is an acceptable regimen which can quite completely correct the imbalance in blood AA pools in CRF.