Dietary l-arginine supplementation enhances placental growth and reproductive performance in sows

Suboptimal embryonic/fetal survival and growth remains a significant problem in mammals. Using a swine model, we tested the hypothesis that dietary l-arginine supplementation during gestation may improve pregnancy outcomes through enhancing placental growth and modulating hormonal secretions. Gestating pigs (Yorkshire?×?Landrace, n?=?108) were assigned randomly into two groups based on parity and body weight, representing dietary supplementation with 1.0% l-arginine–HCl or 1.7% l-alanine (isonitrogenous control) between days 22 and 114 of gestation. Blood samples were obtained from the ear vein on days 22, 40, 70 and 90 of gestation. On days 40, 70 and 90 of gestation, concentrations of estradiol in plasma were higher (P?<?0.05) in arginine-supplemented than in control sows. Moreover, arginine supplementation increased (P?<?0.05) the concentrations of arginine, proline and ornithine in plasma, but concentrations of urea or progesterone in plasma did not differ between the two groups of sows. Compared with the control, arginine supplementation increased (P?<?0.05) the total number of piglets by 1.31 per litter, the number of live-born piglets by 1.10 per litter, the litter birth weight for all piglets by 1.36?kg, and the litter birth weight for live-born piglets by 1.70?kg. Furthermore, arginine supplementation enhanced (P?<?0.05) placental weight by 16.2%. The weaning-to-estrus interval of sows was not affected by arginine supplementation during gestation. These results indicate that dietary arginine supplementation beneficially enhances placental growth and the reproductive performance of sows.     

Effect of Dietary Selenium Yeast Supplementation on Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) Infections in Mice

The present study was performed to determine the protective role of dietary selenium (Se) yeast supplementation in porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infected mice. Forty-eight Kun Ming female mice were randomly assigned to Se yeast group (0.3%Se +basal diet, n = 24) and control group (basal diet, n = 24). After 3 days of adaptive feeding and 15 days treatment with the experimental feed, mice were challenged by intraperitioneal injection of PCV2 at the dosage of 2000 TCID₅₀ (50% tissue culture infection dose, TCID₅₀). Serum total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) levels were measured at 5, 10, 15, 20 days post infection (dpi). The PCV2 virus load in the liver, spleen and lung, and the microscopic lesions in the liver, spleen and lung also were determined on 5, 10, 15, and 20 dpi. Dietary Se yeast supplementation decreased (Pμ0.05) the serum levels of TNF-α, but had no significant effect on the activity of SOD and the levels of MDA, CRP and IL-1β between experimental and control groups. Dietary Se yeast supplementation had little effect on the PCV2 virus load in the liver, spleen and lung. However, mice in the selenium yeast group showed a significant decrease in microscopic lesion scores in the lung and spleen compared with those in the control group (Pμ0.05). These data indicate Se yeast attenuated the PCV2 infection through altering the systemic inflammation and maintaining the normal organ morphology.     

The Effect of Iron–Vitamin C Co-supplementation on Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Iron-Deficient Female Youth

There is no study that assessed the effect of co-supplementation of iron and vitamin C on biomarkers of oxidative stress in non-anemic iron-deficient females. We investigated the effects of iron vs. iron?+?vitamin C co-supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative stress in iron-deficient girls. In a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, performed among 60 non-anemic iron-deficient girls, participants were randomly assigned to receive either 50 mg/day elemental iron supplements or 50 mg/day elemental iron?+?500 mg/day ascorbic acid for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline, weeks 6 and 12 for assessment of biomarkers of oxidative stress. Compared with the baseline levels, both iron and iron?+?vitamin C supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (P _time?<?0.001) and remarkable elevation in serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC; P _time?<?0.001) and vitamin C levels (P _time?=?0.001); however, comparing the two groups we failed to find an additional effect of iron?+?vitamin C supplementation to that of iron alone on serum TAC and MDA levels (P _group was not statistically significant). Iron?+?vitamin C supplementation influenced serum vitamin C levels much more than that by iron alone (P _group?<?0.01). We also found a significant interaction term between time and group about serum vitamin C levels while this interaction was not significant about serum TAC and MDA levels. In conclusion, we found that iron supplementation with/without vitamin C improve biomarkers of oxidative stress among non-anemic iron-deficient females and may strengthen the antioxidant defense system by decreasing reactive oxygen species. Co-supplementation of iron?+?vitamin C has no further effect on oxidative stress compared with iron alone.     

Dietary l-glutamine supplementation improves pregnancy outcome in mice infected with type-2 porcine circovirus

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) causes reproductive failure in swine. As glutamine can enhance immune function in animals, this study was conducted with mice to test the hypothesis that dietary glutamine supplementation will improve pregnancy outcome in PCV2-infected dams. Beginning on day 0 of gestation, mice were fed a standard diet supplemented with 1.0% l-glutamine or 1.22% l-alanine (isonitrogenous control). All mice were infected with PCV2 (2000 TCID₅₀) on day 10 of gestation. On day 17 of gestation, six mice from each group were euthanized to obtain maternal tissues and fetuses for hematology and histopathology tests. The remaining mice continued to receive their respective diets supplemented with 1.0% l-glutamine or 1.22% l-alanine through lactation. The PCV2 virus was present in maternal samples (serum and lung) of most mice in the control group but was not detected in the glutamine-supplemented mice. Dietary glutamine supplementation reduced abortion, decreased fetal deaths, and enhanced neonatal survival. The glutamine treatment also reduced concentrations of interleukin-6, while increasing concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α and C-reactive protein, in the maternal serum of mice. Furthermore, glutamine supplementation attenuated microscopic lesions in maternal tissues (lung, spleen, and liver). Collectively, these results indicate that dietary glutamine supplementation is beneficial for ameliorating reproductive failure in virus-infected mice. The findings support the notion that gestating dams require adequate amounts of dietary glutamine for the optimal survival and growth of embryos, fetuses, and neonates, and have important implications for nutritional support of mammals (including swine and humans) during gestation and lactation.     

Influences of Copper/Zinc-Loaded Montmorillonite on Growth Performance,Mineral Retention,Intestinal Morphology,Mucosa Antioxidant Capacity,and Cytokine Contents in Weaned Piglets

The effects of copper/zinc-loaded montmorillonite (Cu/Zn-Mt) on growth performance, mineral retention, intestinal morphology, mucosa antioxidant capacity, and cytokine contents in weaned piglets were investigated in the present study. One hundred eight piglets weaned at 21?±?1 days of age (Duroc × Landrace× Yorkshire; average initial weight of 6.36 kg) were allotted to three treatments for 2 weeks. The three treatments were as follows: (1) control group: basal diet; (2) Cu/Zn-Mt group: basal diet?+?39 mg/kg Cu and 75 mg/kg Zn as Cu/Zn-Mt; (3) Cu?+?Zn?+?Mt group: basal diet?+?mixture of CuSO₄, ZnSO₄, and Mt (equal amount of Cu, Zn, and Mt to the Cu/Zn-Mt group). Each treatment had six pens of six piglets. The results showed that as compared with the control group and the Cu?+?Zn?+?Mt group, Cu/Zn-Mt supplementation increased (P?<?0.05) the average daily gain and the gain/feed ratio; Cu/Zn-Mt supplementation increased (P?<?0.05) the Cu and Zn concentrations in serum, jejunum, and ileum mucosa, villus height, the ratio of villus height to crypt depth, and the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, and IL-10 levels, and decreased the malondialdehyde concentrations in the jejunum and ileum, and intestinal IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. Moreover, supplementation with the mixture of CuSO₄, ZnSO₄, and Mt had no effect on the growth performance, but increased the mucosa Cu and Zn concentrations, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity, and immune function in the duodenum, while it had no effect on the above indexes in the jejunum and ileum. The results indicated that Mt could be used as a controlled carrier for Cu and Zn, which made Cu/Zn-Mt have better biological activities in the intestine than the mixture of Cu, Zn, and Mt.     

Influence of Different Amounts and Sources of Selenium Supplementation on Performance, Some Blood Parameters, and Nutrient Digestibility in Lambs

Two trials were conducted in a 2?×?2?+?1 factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of different sources of selenium (Se) on performance, blood metabolites, and nutrient digestibility in male lambs on a barley-based diet. The first trial lasted for 70 days and consisted of 30 lambs (35.6?±?2.6 kg mean body weight, about 4–5 months of age) which were randomly allotted to five treatments including: (1) basal diet (containing 0.06 mg Se/kg DM; control) without supplementary Se, (2) basal diet?+?0.20 mg/kg Se as sodium selenite (SeS 0.20), (3) basal diet?+?0.40 mg/kg Se as sodium selenite (SeS 0.40), (4) basal diet?+?0.20 mg/kg Se as selenium yeast (SeY 0.20), and (5) basal diet?+?0.40 mg/kg Se as selenium yeast (SeY 0.40). For the second trial, four lambs from each group of experiment 1 were randomly allocated to individual metabolic cages for 14 days to measure the effects of dietary Se on nutrient digestibility. The results revealed that there were no significant differences for average daily gain, average daily feed intake, feed/gain ratio, hematological parameters (packed cell volume, red blood cell, white blood cell, and hemoglobin values), serum total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and creatine phosphokinase due to supplementation of different amounts and sources of Se in lambs. Dietary Se supplementation significantly improved (P?<?0.001) glutathione peroxidase activity in blood. Furthermore, at the end of the trial, serum tri-iodothyronine (T3) amount also increased (P?<?0.05), while serum thyroxine (T4) amount decreased (P?<?0.05). Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber increased (P?<?0.05) by Se yeast supplementation. It may be concluded that supplementation of Se in lambs had no significant effect on performance and blood hematology, but increased blood glutathione peroxidase activity and serum T3 amount and decreased serum T4 amount as compared to non-supplemented control lambs. Furthermore, Se yeast improved nutrient digestibility in lambs.     

Creatine but not betaine supplementation increases muscle phosphorylcreatine content and strength performance

We aimed to investigate the role of betaine supplementation on muscle phosphorylcreatine (PCr) content and strength performance in untrained subjects. Additionally, we compared the ergogenic and physiological responses to betaine versus creatine supplementation. Finally, we also tested the possible additive effects of creatine and betaine supplementation. This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Subjects were assigned to receive betaine (BET; 2?g/day), creatine (CR; 20?g/day), betaine plus creatine (BET?+?CR; 2?+?20?g/day, respectively) or placebo (PL). At baseline and after 10?days of supplementation, we assessed muscle strength and power, muscle PCr content, and body composition. The CR and BET?+?CR groups presented greater increase in muscle PCr content than PL (p?=?0.004 and p?=?0.006, respectively). PCr content was comparable between BET versus PL (p?=?0.78) and CR versus BET?+?CR (p?=?0.99). CR and BET?+?CR presented greater muscle power output than PL in the squat exercise following supplementation (p?=?0.003 and p?=?0.041, respectively). Similarly, bench press average power was significantly greater for the CR-supplemented groups. CR and BET?+?CR groups also showed significant pre- to post-test increase in 1-RM squat and bench press (CR: p?=?0.027 and p?<?0.0001; BET?+?CR: p?=?0.03 and p?<?0.0001 for upper- and lower-body assessments, respectively) No significant differences for 1-RM strength and power were observed between BET versus PL and CR versus BET?+?CR. Body composition did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, we reported that betaine supplementation does not augment muscle PCr content. Furthermore, we showed that betaine supplementation combined or not with creatine supplementation does not affect strength and power performance in untrained subjects.     

Effects of Zinc on Interleukins and Antioxidant Enzyme Values in Psoriasis-Induced Mice

The effects of zinc chloride (ZnCl₂), disodium zinc ethylenediamine tetraacetate (Zn-EDTA), and zinc gluconate (Zn-GLU) on the antioxidant enzyme activities and levels of interleukins (ILs) in psoriasis-induced mice were studied. One hundred twenty female mice were randomly divided into six groups with 20 mice in each group: the control, positive control (PC), methotrexate (MTX), ZnCl₂, Zn-EDTA, and Zn-GLU groups. All animals except the control group were given diethylstilbestrol for three consecutive days. After successfully inducing psoriasis, the control and PC groups were given normal saline (i.g.) daily while the remaining groups were given MTX, ZnCl₂, Zn-EDTA, and Zn-GLU, respectively. The results revealed that the zinc supplementation could significantly (p?<?0.05) inhibit mitosis in the mouse vaginal epithelium as methotrexate did and the inhibiting efficacy had nothing to do with the zinc forms. After ZnCl₂, Zn-EDTA, and Zn-GLU supplementation, the levels of liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activities increased and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased significantly (p?<?0.05) compared to the PC group. The levels of SOD, CAT activity, and MDA level between each zinc supplementation group and MTX group were insignificant (p?>?0.05). The zinc treatments also caused a significant (p?<?0.05) decrease in the raised IL-2 level of animal serum. The results obtained in the present work indicate the potential for zinc as a complementary pharmaceutical intervention for the treatment of topical psoriasis.     

Effects of dietary l-arginine or N-carbamylglutamate supplementation during late gestation of sows on the miR-15b/16, miR-221/222, VEGFA and eNOS expression in umbilical vein

Placental vascular formation and blood flow are crucial for fetal survival, growth and development, and arginine regulates vascular development and function. This study determined the effects of dietary arginine or N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) supplementation during late gestation of sows on the microRNAs, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in umbilical vein. Twenty-seven landrace?×?large white sows at day (d) 90 of gestation were assigned randomly to three groups and fed the following diets: a control diet and the control diet supplemented with 1.0% l-arginine or 0.10% NCG. Umbilical vein of fetuses with body weight around 2.0?kg (oversized), 1.5?kg (normal) and 0.6?kg (intrauterine growth restriction, IUGR) were obtained immediately after farrowing for miR-15b, miR-16, miR-221, miR-222, VEGFA and eNOS real-time PCR analysis. Compared with the control diets, dietary Arg or NCG supplementation enhanced the reproductive performance of sows, significantly increased (P?<?0.05) plasma arginine and decreased plasma VEGF and eNOS (P?<?0.05). The miR-15b expression in the umbilical vein was higher (P?<?0.05) in the NCG-supplemented group than in the control group. There was a trend in that the miR-222 expression in the umbilical vein of the oversized fetuses was higher (0.05?<?P?<?0.1) than in the normal and IUGR fetuses. The expression of eNOS in both Arg-supplemented and NCG-supplemented group were lower (P?<?0.05) than in the control group. The expression of VEGFA was higher (P?<?0.05) in the NCG-supplemented group than in the Arg-supplemented and the control group. Meanwhile, the expression of VEGFA of the oversized fetuses was higher (P?<?0.05) than the normal and IUGR fetuses. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that dietary Arg or NCG supplementation may affect microRNAs (miR-15b, miR-222) targeting VEGFA and eNOS gene expressions in umbilical vein, so as to regulate the function and volume of the umbilical vein, provide more nutrients and oxygen from the maternal to the fetus tissue for fetal development and survival, and enhance the reproductive performance of sows.     

Effects of Aluminum and Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation on Oxidative Stress and Memory in Brain of Mice

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of aluminum and extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) on oxidative stress and memory of SPF Kunming mice. Sixty male SPF Kunming mice were divided randomly into four groups: control group, ELF-MF group (2 mT, 4 h/day), load aluminum group (200 mg aluminum/kg, 0.1 ml/10 g), and ELF-MF?+?aluminum group (2 mT, 4 h/day, 200 mg aluminum/kg). After 8 weeks of treatment, the mice of three experiment groups (ELF-MF group, load aluminum group, and ELF-MF?+?aluminum group) exhibited firstly the learning memory impairment, appearing that the escaping latency to the platform was prolonged and percentage in the platform quadrant was reduced in the Morris water maze (MWM) task. Secondly are the pathologic abnormalities including neuronal cell loss and overexpression of phosphorylated tau protein in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. On the other hand, the markers of oxidative stress were determined in mice brain and serum. The results showed a statistically significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity and increase in the levels of malondialdehyde in the ELF-MF group (P?<?0.05 or P?<?0.01), load aluminum group (P?<?0.01), and ELF-MF?+?aluminum group (P?<?0.01). However, the treatment with ELF-MF?+?aluminum induced no more damage than ELF-MF and aluminum did, respectively. In conclusion, both aluminum and ELF-MF could impact on learning memory and pro-oxidative function in Kunming mice. However, there was no evidence of any association between ELF-MF exposure with aluminum loading.     

The Beneficial Effect of Probiotics Supplementation on Penicillin-Induced Focal Seizure in Rats

The focal epilepsy is a chronic neurological brain disorder which affects millions of people in the world. There is emerging evidence that changes in the gut microbiota may have effects on epileptic seizures. In the present study, we examined the effect of probiotics on penicillin-induced focal seizure model in rats. Male Wistar Albino rats (n: 21) were randomly divided into three groups: control (no medication), penicillin and penicillin?+?probiotic. Probiotic VSL#3 (12.86 bn living bacteria/kg/day) was given by gavage for 30 days. The seizures were induced by intracortical injection of penicillin G (500 IU) into the cortex. An ECoG recordings were made for 180 min after penicillin G application. The spike frequency and the amplitude were used to assess the severity of seizures. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin (IL-6) levels in the brain were studied biochemically. Our results indicated that probiotic supplementation improved focal seizures through increasing the latency (p?<?0.001) and decreasing the spike frequency (p?<?0.01) compared to the penicillin group. Penicillin-induced seizure in rats significantly enhanced TNF-α (p?<?0.01), NO (p?<?0.01) and IL-6 (p?<?0.05) compared to the control. Probiotic supplementation significantly decreased IL-6 (p?<?0.05), TNF-α (p?<?0.01) and NO (p?<?0.001) compared to the penicillin group. When the body weights were compared before and after the experiment, there was no difference between the control and penicillin groups, but it was observed that the body weight decreased after probiotic supplementation in the penicillin?+?probiotic group. Probiotic supplementation may have anti-seizure effect by reducing proinflammatory cytokine and NO levels in epileptic rat brain.

     

An exploration of how litter controls drainage water DIN, DON and DOC dynamics in freely draining acid grassland soils

Surface and subsurface litter fulfil many functions in the biogeochemical cycling of C and N in terrestrial ecosystems. These were explored using a microcosm study by monitoring dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) (NH₄ ⁺–N?+?NO₃ ^?–N), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and fluxes in drainage water under ambient outdoor temperatures. Subsurface litter remarkably reduced the DIN concentrations in winter, probably by microbial N uptake associated with higher C:N ratio of added litter compared with soil at 10–25?cm depth. Fluxes of DIN were generally dominated by NO₃ ^?–N; but NH₄ ⁺–N strongly dominated DIN fluxes during freeze–thaw events. Appreciable concentrations of NH₄ ⁺–N were observed in the drainage from the acid grassland soils throughout the experiment, indicating NH₄ ⁺–N mobility and export in drainage water especially during freeze–thaw. Litter contributed substantially to DOC and DON production and they were correlated positively (p?<?0.01) for all treatments. DOC and DON concentrations correlated with temperature for the control (p?<?0.01) and surface litter (p?<?0.001) treatments and they were higher in late summer. The subsurface litter treatment, however, moderated the effect of temperature on DOC and DON dynamics. Cumulative N species fluxes confirmed the dominance of litter as the source of DON and DOC in the drainage water. DON constituted 42, 46 and 62% of cumulative TDN flux for control, surface litter and subsurface litter treatments respectively.     

Effects of Different Sources and Levels of Copper on Growth Performance,Nutrient Digestibility,and Elemental Balance in Young Female Mink (Mustela vison)

An experiment was conducted in a 3?×?3?+?1 factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of different sources of copper on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and elemental balance in young female mink on a corn–fishmeal-based diet. Animals in the control group were fed a basal diet (containing 8.05 mg Cu/kg DM; control), which mainly consisted of corn, fish meal, meat bone meal, and soybean oil, with no copper supplementation. Minks in other nine treatments were fed basal diets supplemented with Cu from reagent-grade copper sulfate, tribasic copper chloride (TBCC) and copper methionate. Cu concentrations of experiment diets were 10, 25, and 40 mg/kg copper. A metabolism trial of 4 days was conducted during the last week of experimental feeding. Final body weight and average daily gain increased (linear and quadratic, P?<?0.05) as Cu increased in the diet; maximal growth was seen in the Cu25 group. Cu supplementation slightly improved the feed conversion rate (P?=?0.095). Apparent fat digestibility was increased by copper level (P?=?0.020). Retention nitrogen was increased by copper level (linear, P?=?0.003). Copper source had a significant effect on copper retention with Cu-Met and copper sulfate treatments retention more than TBCC treatments (P?<?0.05). Our results indicate that mink can efficiently utilize added dietary fat and that Cu plays an important role in the digestion of dietary fat in mink, and mink can efficiently utilize Cu-Met and CuSO₄.     

The Effects of Zinc Treatment on the Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability and Brain Element Levels During Convulsions

We evaluated the effect of zinc treatment on the blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and the levels of zinc (Zn), natrium (Na), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) in the brain tissue during epileptic seizures. The Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups, each as follows: (1) control group, (2) pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) group: rats treated with PTZ to induce seizures, (3) Zn group: rats treated with ZnCl₂ added to drinking water for 2 months, and (4) Zn?+?PTZ group. The brains were divided into left, right hemispheres, and cerebellum?+?brain stem regions. Evans blue was used as BBB tracer. Element concentrations were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The BBB permeability has been found to be increased in all experimental groups (p?<?0.05). Zn concentrations in all brain regions in Zn-supplemented groups (p?<?0.05) showed an increase. BBB permeability and Zn level in cerebellum?+?brain stem region were significantly high compared to cerebral hemispheres (p?<?0.05). In all experimental groups, Cu concentration decreased, whereas Na concentrations showed an increase (p?<?0.05). Mg content in all the brain regions decreased in the Zn group and Zn?+?PTZ groups compared to other groups (p?<?0.001). We also found that all elements’ levels showed hemispheric differences in all groups. During convulsions, Zn treatment did not show any protective effect on BBB permeability. Chronic Zn treatment decreased Mg and Cu concentration and increased Na levels in the brain tissue. Our results indicated that Zn treatment showed proconvulsant activity and increased BBB permeability, possibly changing prooxidant/antioxidant balance and neuronal excitability during seizures.     

Effects of Clinoptilolite on Growth Performance and Antioxidant Status in Broilers

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of natural clinoptilolite and modified clinoptilolite on growth performance and antioxidant capacity in broiler chicks. Two hundred forty 1-day-old commercial Arbor Acres broilers were randomly distributed into three treatments, each of which had eight replicates. Each replicate contains 10 chicks. Control (CON) group fed with the basal diets, natural clinoptilolite (NCLI) group fed basal diets with 2 % natural clinoptilolite, and modified clinoptilolite (MCLI) group fed basal diets with 2 % modified clinoptilolite for 42 days. The results showed that the 2 % supplementation of natural clinoptilolite and modified clinoptilolite had no adverse effect on growth performance of broilers at 42 days of age. Relative weights of organs were not influenced by dietary treatments at 21 and 42 days. The activity of total nitric oxide synthase was significantly (P?<?0.05) decreased in MCLI group than CON group at 21 days of age. At 21 and 42 days, the activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, total superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were significantly (P?<?0.05) increased in NCLI and MCLI groups than the CON group while there was no difference in T-AOC between CON and NCLI groups. The malondialdehyde content was significantly (P?<?0.05) decreased in NCLI and MCLI groups than the CON group. It was concluded that the addition of 2 % natural clinoptilolite and modified clinoptilolite to diet can improve antioxidant capacity in broilers, although their effects on growth performance was negligible.     

The Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Chromium Picolinate throughout Gestation on Productive Performance, Cr Concentration, Serum Parameters, and Colostrum Composition in Sows

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of supplemental chromium as chromium picolinate (CrPic) on productive performance, chromium (Cr) concentration, serum parameters, and colostrum composition in sows. Thirty Yorkshire sows were bred with semen from a pool of Landrace boars. The sows were equally grouped and treated with either a diet containing 0 (control) or 400 ppb dietary Cr supplementation throughout gestation. The sows received the same basal diet based on corn-DDGS meal. Supplemental CrPic increased (P?<?0.05) the sow body mass gain from the insemination to the day 110 of gestation in sows. No differences (P?>?0.50) were observed in the gestation interval, sow mass, and backfat at insemination, after farrowing, at weaning and lactation loss. The number of piglets born alive, piglets per litter at weaning, and litter weaned mass were increased (P?<?0.05) for those supplemented with CrPic compared with the control. However, the total number of piglets born, total born litter mass, average piglet birth body mass, born alive litter mass, and average born alive piglet mass did not differ among the treatments (P?>?0.05). The placental masses of sows were similar among treatments (P?>?0.05). Dietary supplementation with CrPic throughout gestation in sows showed increased (P?<?0.01) concentration of Cr in the colostrum or serum at days 70 and 110. Compared with the control group, dietary supplementation with CrPic throughout gestation in sows decreased (P?<?0.05) the serum insulin concentration, the glucose or serum urea nitrogen concentration at days 70 and 110. However, no differences (P?>?0.05) were observed in total protein concentration among treatments. No differences (P?>?0.05) were observed in total solids, protein, fat or lactose among sows fed the diets supplemented with CrPic compared with the control. This exciting finding provides evidence for an increase in mass gain and live-born piglets in sows supplemented with CrPic throughout gestation.     

Synergistic cardioprotective effects of rAAV9-CyclinA2 combined with fibrin glue in rats after myocardial infarction

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of rAAV9-CyclinA2 combined with fibrin glue (FG) in vivo in rats after myocardial infarction (MI). Ninety male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into 6 groups (15 in each group): sham, MI, rAAV9-green fluorescent protein (GFP)?+?MI, rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?MI, FG?+?MI, and rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?FG?+?MI. Packed virus (5?×?10¹¹vg/ml) in 150 µl of normal saline or FG was injected into the infarcted myocardium at five locations in rAAV9-GFP?+?MI, rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?MI, and rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?FG?+?MI groups. The sham, MI, and FG?+?MI groups were injected with an equal volume of normal saline or FG at the same sites. Five weeks after injection, echocardiography was performed to evaluate the left ventricular function. The expressions of CyclinA2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and phospho-histone-H3 (H3P), vascular density, and infarct area were assessed by Western blot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Masson staining. As a result, the combination of rAAV9-CyclinA2 and FG increased ejection fraction and fractional shortening compared with FG or rAAV9-CyclinA2 alone. The expression level of CyclinA2 was significantly higher in the rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?FG?+?MI group compared with the rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?MI and FG?+?MI groups (70.1?±?1.86% vs. 14.74?±?2.02%, P?<?0.01; or vs. 50.13?±?3.80%; P?<?0.01). A higher expression level of PCNA and H3P was found in the rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?FG?+?MI group compared with other groups. Comparing with other experiment groups, collagen deposition and the infarct size significantly decreased in rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?Fibrin?+?MI group. The vascular density was much higher in the rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?FG?+?MI group compared with the rAAV9-CyclinA2?+?MI group. We concluded that fibrin glue combined with rAAV9-CyclinA2 was found to be effective in cardiac remodeling and improving myocardial protection.     

Lipid metabolism in pigs fed supplemental conjugated linoleic acid and/or dietary arginine

We proposed that the combination of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and arginine would decrease adiposity by depressing lipid synthesis in liver and adipose tissues of growing pigs. Pigs were allotted to treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design with two lipids (CLA or canola oil) and two amino acids [l-arginine or l-alanine (isonitrogenous control)]; supplements were provided from 80 to 110 kg body weight (approximately 4 weeks). Treatment groups (n = 4) were: control (2.05% l-alanine plus 1% canola oil); CLA (2.05% l-alanine plus 1% CLA); arginine (1.0% l-arginine plus 1.0% canola oil); arginine plus CLA (1.0% arginine plus 1.0% CLA). Arginine increased backfat thickness (P = 0.07) in the absence or presence of CLA, and arginine supplementation increased subcutaneous and retroperitoneal adipocyte volume, especially in combination with dietary CLA (interaction P = 0.001). Arginine increased palmitate incorporation into total lipids by over 60% in liver (P = 0.07). Dietary CLA increased palmitate incorporation into lipids in longissimus muscle by over 100% (P = 0.01), and CLA increased longissimus muscle lipid by nearly 20%. CLA increased glucose oxidation to CO₂ by over 80% in retroperitoneal and subcutaneous adipose tissues (P = 0.04), and doubled palmitate oxidation to CO₂ in intestinal duodenal mucosal cells (P = 0.07). Arginine supplementation decreased muscle pH at 45 min postmortem (P = 0.001), indicating elevated early postmortem glycolysis, and CLA and arginine independently increased PGC-1α gene expression in longissimus muscle. CLA but not arginine depressed mTOR gene expression in intestinal duodenal mucosal cells. CLA decreased serum insulin by 50% (P = 0.02) but increased serum triacylglycerols by over 40%. CLA supplementation increased (P ≤ 0.01) total saturated fatty acids in liver and adipose tissue. In conclusion, neither CLA nor arginine depressed tissue lipid synthesis in growing/finishing pigs, and in fact dietary CLA promoted elevated intramuscular lipid and arginine increased carcass adiposity.     

Effects of Zinc Glycinate on Productive and Reproductive Performance,Zinc Concentration and Antioxidant Status in Broiler Breeders

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of zinc glycinate (Zn-Gly) supplementation as an alternative for zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄) on productive and reproductive performance, zinc (Zn) concentration and antioxidant status in broiler breeders. Six hundred 39-week-old Lingnan Yellow broiler breeders were randomly assigned to 6 groups consisting of 4 replicates with 25 birds each. Breeders were fed a basal diet (control group, 24 mg Zn/kg diet), basal diet supplemented with 80 mg Zn/kg diet from ZnSO₄ or basal diet supplemented with 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg Zn/kg diet from Zn-Gly. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks after a 4-week pre-test with the basal diet, respectively. Results showed that Zn supplementation, regardless of sources, improved (P?<?0.05) the feed conversion ratio (kilogram of feed/kilogram of egg) and decreased broken egg rate, and elevated (P?<?0.05) the qualified chick rate. Compared with the ZnSO₄ group, the 80 mg Zn/kg Zn-Gly group significantly increased (P?<?0.05) average egg weight, fertility, hatchability and qualified chick rate, whereas it decreased (P?<?0.05) broken egg rate. The Zn concentrations in liver and muscle were significantly higher (P?<?0.05) in 80 mg Zn/kg Zn-Gly group than that in ZnSO₄ group. Compared with ZnSO₄ group, 80 mg Zn/kg Zn-Gly group significantly elevated (P?<?0.05) the mRNA abundances of metallothionein (MT) and copper-zinc superoxide (Cu-Zn SOD), as well as the Cu-Zn SOD activity and MT concentration in liver. Moreover, the 80 mg Zn/kg Zn-Gly group had higher (P?<?0.05) serum T-SOD and Cu-Zn SOD activities than that in the ZnSO₄ group. This study indicated that supplementation of Zn in basal diet improved productive and reproductive performance, Zn concentration and antioxidant status in broiler breeders, and the 80 mg Zn/kg from Zn-Gly was the optimum choice for broiler breeders compared with other levels of Zn from Zn-Gly and 80 mg/kg Zn from ZnSO₄.     

The role of l-arginine-nitric oxide pathway in bacterial translocation

This study investigated the nitric oxide (NO) role as a mediator of arginine on bacterial translocation (BT) and gut damage in mice after intestinal obstruction (IO). The effects of pretreatment with arginine with or without NO inhibition on the systemic and local immunological response were also assessed. Mice were categorized into four groups. Group ARG received chow containing 2 % arginine, while group ARG + l-NAME received the same diet plus l-NAME (N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester) by gavage. The IO and Sham groups were fed standard chow. After 7 days, animals were gavaged with radiolabeled Escherichia coli, anesthetized and subjected to IO, except the Sham group. Animals were euthanized after 18 h, and BT was evaluated in the mesenteric lymph nodes, blood, liver, spleen and lungs. In another experiment, the intestinal injury was assessed regarding intestinal permeability and ileum histological analyses. Intestinal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels, serum IFN-γ and IL-10 cytokines were assessed. Arginine reduced BT, but NO inhibition enhanced BT compared with the ARG group (p < 0.05). Intestinal permeability in the ARG and ARG + l-NAME groups was similar but decreased when compared with the IO group (p < 0.05). Histological preservation was observed. Arginine treatment increased IL-10 and sIgA levels when compared with the Sham and IO groups (p < 0.05). The cytokines and sIgA concentrations were similar in the ARG + l-NAME and Sham groups. Arginine appeared to reduce BT and its effects on the modulation of cytokines and secretory IgA in mice after IO are mediated by NO production.