Effects of Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field on Caspase Activities and Oxidative Stress Values in Rat Brain

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) on apoptosis and oxidative stress values in the brain of rat. Rats were exposed to 100 and 500 µT ELF-MF, which are the safety standards of public and occupational exposure for 2 h/day for 10 months. Brain tissues were immunohistochemically stained for the active (cleaved) caspase-3 in order to measure the apoptotic index by a semi-quantitative scoring system. In addition, the levels of catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total antioxidative capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured in rat brain. Final score of apoptosis and MPO activity were not significantly different between the groups. CAT activity decreased in both exposure groups (p?<?0.05), while TAC was found to be lower in ELF 500 group than those in ELF-100 and sham groups (p?<?0.05). MDA, TOS, and OSI values were found to be higher in ELF-500 group than those in ELF-100 and sham groups (p?<?0.05). In conclusion, apoptosis was not changed by long-term ELF-MF exposure, while both 100 and 500 µT ELF-MF exposure induced toxic effect in the rat brain by increasing oxidative stress and diminishing antioxidant defense system.     

Evaluation of hepatotoxicity of chemicals using hepatic progenitor and hepatocyte-like cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells

Embryonic stem cell testing is an alternative model system to assess drug and chemical toxicities because of its similar developmental characteristics with in vivo embryogenesis and organogenesis. This study evaluated the toxicity of chemicals at specific developmental stages of mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived hepatic differentiation; hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs), and hepatocyte-like cells (HCs). The toxic effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and arsanilic acid (Ars) were evaluated by measuring the expressions of Cytokeratin (CK18) and GATA binding protein 4 (GATA-4) and the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) during the hepatic differentiation process. Non-toxic doses of three chemicals at a range of 25 to 500 μM for CCl₄, 12.5 to 800 nM for 5-FU and 6.25 to 400 mM for Ars were treated. In the CCl₄-treated group, significant decreases (P?<?0.05) of the marker expression were observed by more than 300 μM from day 10 in CK18 and by more than 400 μM of CCl₄ from day 22 in GATA-4, respectively. However, both markers were decreased (P?<?0.01) by treatments of all doses at day 40. In the 5-FU-treated group, the expressions of two proteins were not affected by any of the doses at day 10 and 22, whereas the GATA-4 expression was decreased (P?<?0.05) by more than 400 nM of 5-FU at days 28 and 40. In the Ars-treated group, the CK18 expression was inhibited (P?<?0.05) by more than 100 mM of Ars at day 22 but showed a tendency to recover. Although the GATA-4 was inhibited by all doses at day 22, the inhibition of GATA-4 recovered at days 28 and 40. ALP activities of three chemicals were significantly increased (P?<?0.05) by a dose-dependent manner. The activities of AST and LDH were prone to be increased by more than 300 μM of CCl_4, but not affected by all doses of 5-FU except for 800 nM of 5-FU in AST activities. In the Ars, the enzyme activities were significantly increased (P?<?0.05) by more than 50 μM of Ars in AST and more than 6.25 μM of Ars in LDH. The present results indicate that CCl₄ has a more toxic effect on HCs, whereas Ars is more toxic to HPCs. Additionally, in vitro alternative testing using ESC-derived HPCs and HCs could provide useful information on chemical toxicity during the hepatic differentiation process and could be a useful model system for assessing chemical hepatotoxicity.     

Induction of sexual behavior in ovariectomized rhesus females with 19-hydroxytestosterone

Eight sexually experienced long-term ovariectomized female rhesus monkeys were given tests of sexual behavior following treatment with 19-hydroxytestosterone (19-OH-T, 1 mg/day for 13 days), and their performance was compared with that following treatment with estradiol benzoate (EB, 10 μg/day for 13 days). Each female was tested for 10 min with each of nine adult males. Blood samples were taken on the last day of treatment with EB, at the end of the intervening 3-month period of no treatment, and on the last day of treatment with 19-OH-T. Blood levels of testosterone and estradiol were quantified by radioimmunoassay. Mean rate of presenting at a distance (proceptive behavior) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) when they were treated with 19-OH-T, but the ratio of presents to male contacts (receptive behavior) was significantly higher (P <0.05) when they were treated with EB. All other components of female sexual behavior were the same. Males displayed fewer annoyance responses (rejecting jerk, P < 0.05) when the females were treated with 19-OH-T than when they were treated with EB. All other male responses occurred with the same frequencies under the two female treatment conditions. Injection of 19-OH-T and EB both resulted in plasma testosterone and estradiol levels higher than those found in the untreated condition. Testosterone levels did not differ under the two treatments (P > 0.05), but estradiol levels were higher under EB treatment than under 19-OH-T (P < 0.05). This study suggests that both testosterone and estradiol are essential for maximum sexual performance and that various components of sexual behavior may be differentially influenced by the ratio of testosterone to estradiol in plasma.     

Neuroprotective Effect of Atorvastatin Involves Suppression of TNF-α and Upregulation of IL-10 in a Rat Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage

We evaluated the neuroprotective effects of atorvastatin (2, 5, and 10 mg/kg) on experimentally induced intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in adult rats; controls were administered PBS. Plasma TNF-α and IL-10 levels before and after ICH were analyzed at various time points by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and neurological behavior of rats was assessed by climbing scores. At 3-days postoperatively, brain water contents and TNF-α/IL-10 expression in brain tissue were determined. Histopathological changes and microglial cells in the brain tissue were evaluated by light-microscopy. Post-ICH neurological deficits differed significantly between sham-operated group A and experimental-ICH group B (P < 0.05). Brain water contents were significantly less in group A than in group B (P < 0.05). Significant differences (P < 0.05) between two groups were observed regarding activated microglia, TNF-α and IL-10 levels. Compared with group B, neurological deficits, brain water contents, pathological changes, and activated microglia were reduced (P < 0.05) in groups C (Experimental-ICH + atorvastatin 2 mg/kg), D (Experimental-ICH + atorvastatin 5 mg/kg) and E (Experimental-ICH + atorvastatin 10 mg/kg). Atorvastatin-induced a dose-dependent reduction of TNF-α and increase of IL-10 levels (P < 0.05). Therefore, it was concluded that atorvastatin improved neurofunctional rehabilitation in rats through the suppression of cytokines-mediated inflammatory response and attenuation of brain damage following intracerebral hemorrhage.     

Effect of Sargentodoxa cuneata total phenolic acids on focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury rats model

Objective

Explore the possible protective effect of Sargentodoxa cuneata total phenolic acids on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury rats.

Different effect of testosterone and oestrogen on urinary excretion of metformin via regulating OCTs and MATEs expression in the kidney of mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of testosterone and oestrogen on regulating organic cation transporters (Octs) and multidrug and toxin extrusions (Mates) expression in the kidney of mice and urinary excretion of metformin. 8 week‐old male db/db mice were treated with estradiol (5 mg/kg), testosterone (50 mg/kg) or olive oil with same volume. Metformin (150 mg/kg) was injected in daily for successive 7 days. Plasma, urine and tissue concentrations of metformin were determined by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS) assay. Western blotting and Real‐time PCR analysis were successively used to evaluate the renal protein and mRNA expression of Octs and MATEs. After treatment, the protein expression of Mate1 and Oct2 in testosterone group was significantly increased than those in control group (both P < 0.05). The protein expression of Mate1 and Oct2 in estradiol group was significantly reduced by 29.4% and 43.3%, respectively, compared to those in control group (all P < 0.05). These data showed a good agreement with the change in mRNA level (all P < 0.05). The plasma metformin concentration (ng/ml) in mice treated with estradiol was significantly higher than control and testosterone group (677.56 ± 72.49 versus 293.92 ± 83.27 and 261.46 ± 79.45; P < 0.01). Moreover, testosterone increased the metformin urine excretion of mice while estradiol decreasing (both P < 0.01). Spearman correlation analysis showed that gonadal hormone was closely associated with Mate1 and Oct2 expression and metformin urine excretion in db/db mice (all P < 0.05). Testosterone and oestrogen exerted reverse effect on metformin urinary excretion via regulating Octs and Mates expression in the kidney of mice.     

Carnosine supplementation protects rat brain tissue against ethanol-induced oxidative stress

Ethanol causes oxidative stress and tissue damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of antioxidant carnosine on the oxidative stress induced by ethanol in the rat brain tissue. Forty male rats were divided equally into four groups as control, carnosine (CAR), ethanol (EtOH), and ethanol plus carnosine (EtOH + CAR). Rats in the control group (n = 10) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 0.9% saline; EtOH group (n = 10) with 2 g/kg/day ethanol, CAR group (n = 10) received carnosine at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day and EtOH + CAR group (n = 10) received carnosine (orally) and ethanol (i.p.). All animals were sacrificed using ketamine and brain tissues were removed. Malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO) and tissue carnosine levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured. Endogenous CAR levels in the rat brain tissue specimens were significantly increased in the CAR and EtOH groups when compared to the control animals. MDA and PCO levels in the EtOH group were significantly increased as compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). CAR treatment also decreased MDA levels in the CAR group as compared to the control group. Increased SOD activities were obtained in the EtOH + CAR group as compared to the control (P < 0.05). CAR levels in the rat brain were significantly increased in the CAR, EtOH and CAR + EtOH groups when compared to the control animals. These findings indicated that carnosine may appear as a protective agent against ethanol-induced brain damage.     

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.     

Effect of Organic Selenium Supplementation on Growth, Se Uptake, and Nutrient Utilization in Guinea Pigs

Forty weaned male guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) of 152.6?±?7.96 g mean body weight were divided into four equal groups and fed a common basal diet comprised of 25% ground cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) hay, 30% ground maize (Zea mays) grain, 22% ground gram (Cicer arietinum) grain, 9.5% deoiled rice (Oryza sativa) bran, 6% soybean (Glycine max) meal, 6% fish meal, 1.5% mineral mixture (without Se), and ascorbic acid at 200 mg/kg to meet their nutrient requirements along with 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 ppm of organic selenium (Se) in groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Experimental feeding lasted for a period of 10 weeks, during which, daily feed intake and weekly body weights were recorded. Intake and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, crude fiber, and nitrogen-free extract as well as uptake of calcium and phosphorus were similar (P?>?0.05) among the four groups. Feed:gain ratio was also similar (P?>?0.05) in the four groups. However, digestibility of crude protein was significantly (P?<?0.001) higher in group II supplemented with 0.1 ppm organic Se as compared to other three group. Intake and absorption of Se was significantly (P?<?0.001) higher in all the Se supplemented groups as compared to control group. Average daily gain (ADG) was significantly (P?<?0.05) higher in group II (3.16 g/day) and III (3.38 g/day) as compared to group I (2.88 g/day). However, ADG in group IV (supplemented 0.3 ppm organic Se) was significantly (P?<?0.05) lower (2.83 g/day) than group II and III, but comparable (P?>?0.05) to group I. Findings of the present experiment suggests that Se requirements of guinea pigs are ≥0.2 ppm, as supplementation of 0.1 ppm organic Se in the diet (having 0.1 ppm Se) not only enhanced their growth rate but also improved the protein utilization.     

Effect of 3:7 ratio of Astragalus total saponins and Curcumin on the diabetic nephropathy rats model

Objective

Study the effect of the 3:7 ratio of Astragalus total saponins and Curcumin on the model of diabetic nephropathy rats, and explore its mechanisms.

Trace Element, Antioxidant Activity, and Lipid Peroxidation Levels in Brain Cortex of Gerbils After Cerebral Ischemic Injury

Proper trace element level and antioxidant enzyme activity are crucial for the brain in maintaining normal neurological functions. To our knowledge, alteration of lipid peroxidation status, trace element level, and antioxidant activity in the homogenates of brain cortex after cerebral ischemia in gerbil, however, has not been investigated so far. Male Mongolian gerbils were divided into control and ischemic subjects. Cerebral ischemia was induced by occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery and right common carotid artery for 1 h. Experimental results showed that a significant increase (P?<?0.01) of the malondialdehyde level was found in the ischemic brain as compared with the control group. Trace element analysis indicated that a remarkable elevation (P?<?0.01) of the level of iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), and a statistical decrease of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) (P?<?0.05) concentration were observed in the ischemic brain as compared with the control subject. No significant change (P?>?0.05) of the copper (Cu) level was found in both experimental groups. Additionally, antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (P?<?0.01) and catalase (P?<?0.05) was significantly decreased in the ischemic brain as compared with the control subject. Taking all results together, it is conceivable to manifest the experimental findings that cerebral ischemia not only may result in an enhanced oxidative stress but also may lead to further oxidative injury. Moreover, disturbance of trace element level combined with declined antioxidant activity seems to play a significant role in responsible for the etiology of cerebral ischemia.     

Anti-inflammatory effect and the effect on acute pharyngitis rats model of compound Lobelia oral liquid

Objective

Observe anti-inflammatory effect and the effect on acute pharyngitis rats model induced by ammonia water of compound Lobelia oral liquid, providing experimental basis for its clinical use.

Effect of elevated carbon dioxide on chicken eggs during the early and late incubation periods

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is always maintained at ambient levels by ventilation in commercial egg incubators. However, elevated CO₂ levels during the early and late periods have been reported to improve the quality of chicks and shorten the hatch window. This study investigated the effect of precise CO₂ supplementation during the early and late periods of incubation on embryo growth and incubation performance by developing and using a CO₂ supplementation system to increase the CO₂ level in an experimental egg incubator. The CO₂ level was maintained at 1% in the early period (from the beginning to the 10th day of incubation, E0–E10) and in the late period (from internal pipping (IP) to the 21st day of incubation (E21), IP–E21) in an incubator for the treatment group, whereas the CO₂ level was maintained at the ambient level in the other incubators for the control group. A comparative assessment of embryonic development, hatching characteristics, and hormone and nutrient levels was conducted for each trial. The experiment comprised three trials, with 300 Jing Hong No. 1 breeding eggs in each incubator. The elevated CO₂ treatment significantly shortened the chick hatching time (H0) by 4 h (P < 0.05) and the hatch window by 3 h (P < 0.05) without affecting hatchability, chick weight at 1 d of age, brooding period, or quality score. At external pipping (EP), the heart weight, intestinal weight, relative intestinal weight, and relative heart weight in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the embryonic intestine, relative intestine, and relative heart weights of the newly hatched chicks in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05) at H0. The treatment significantly increased the concentration of corticosterone in the embryonic plasma during the period from IP to EP (P < 0.05), promoted the secretion of triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyronine (P < 0.05), and increased the glycogen content of the embryonic liver on E21 (P < 0.05). This result indicates that elevated CO₂ (1%) during the early and late periods of incubation accelerated embryonic organ development and shortened the chick hatching time and hatch window without affecting hatchability or hatchling quality, which can be explained by the synergistic functions of the secretion of plasma corticosterone and thyroid hormones and the accumulation of liver glycogen between the early and late periods of incubation.     

Serum Hormone Concentrations in Transgender Individuals Receiving Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy: A Longitudinal Retrospective Cohort Study

ObjectiveTo examine the association of various gender-affirming hormone therapy regimens with blood sex hormone concentrations in transgender individuals.MethodsThis retrospective study included transgender people receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy between January 2000 and September 2018. Data on patient demographics, laboratory values, and hormone dose and frequency were collected. Nonparametric tests and linear regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with serum hormone concentrations.ResultsOverall, 196 subjects (134 transgender women and 62 transgender men), with a total of 941 clinical visits, were included in this study. Transgender men receiving transdermal testosterone had a significantly lower median concentration of serum total testosterone when compared with those receiving injectable preparations (326.0 ng/dL vs 524.5 ng/dL, respectively, P = .018). Serum total estradiol concentrations in the transgender women were higher in those receiving intramuscular estrogen compared with those receiving oral and transdermal estrogen (366.0 pg/mL vs 102.0 pg/mL vs 70.8 pg/mL, respectively, P < .001). A dose-dependent increase in the hormone levels was observed for oral estradiol (P < .001) and injectable testosterone (P = .018) but not for intramuscular and transdermal estradiol. Older age and a history of gonadectomy in both the transgender men and women were associated with significantly higher concentrations of serum gender-affirming sex hormones.ConclusionIn the transgender men, all routes and formulations of testosterone appeared to be equally effective in achieving concentrations in the male range. The intramuscular injections of estradiol resulted in the highest serum concentrations of estradiol, whereas transdermal estradiol resulted in the lowest concentration. There was positive relationship between both oral estradiol and injectable testosterone dose and serum sex hormone concentrations in transgender people receiving GAHT.     

A zebrafish (danio rerio) model for high-throughput screening food and drugs with uric acid-lowering activity

With co-treatment of potassium oxonate (PO) and xanthine sodium salt (XSS), a zebrafish larva model of acute hyperuricemia has been constructed for the first time. The results show PO 200 μM + XSS 10 μM, PO 300 μM + XSS 15 μM, and PO 400 μM + XSS 20 μM can significantly increase the level of uric acid in the zebrafish larvae (P?<?0.05), the concentrations as described above can be used to construct the zebrafish larvae model of acute hyperuricemia. At the same time, treatment of allopurinol (APL, one of the hyperuricemia drugs) at 2000?μM?(P?<?0.001) and treatment of anserine (ASE) at 200?μM?(P < 0.05) could significantly decrease the level of uric acid in the model group which received PO 200 μM + XSS 10 μM, which demonstrate that such model could offer a new robust approach for high-throughput screening of food and drugs with uric acid-lowering activity.     

Impacts of elevated CO2 and temperature on soil respiration in warm temperate evergreen Quercus glauca stands: an open-top chamber experiment

We conducted an open-top chamber experiment for 3?years to examine the effect of elevated CO₂ and temperature on soil respiration in experimental stands of Quercus glauca, an evergreen tree species common in the warm temperate zone of Japan. Seedlings of Q. glauca were planted in open-top chambers and treated with factorial combinations of ambient and elevated (ambient?×?1.4, ambient?×?1.8) CO₂ concentrations and ambient and elevated (+3°C) air temperatures. Elevated CO₂ significantly increased the total soil respiration rate (P?<?0.001) and the soil respiration rate at 15°C (R ₁₅) (P?<?0.05) but had no significant effect on the temperature coefficient Q ₁₀. Although temperature significantly affected total soil respiration rate (P?<?0.05), neither the R ₁₅ nor the Q ₁₀ of total soil respiration was affected significantly by the air temperature increase. Annual soil respiration rate, estimated from R ₁₅, Q ₁₀, and soil temperature data, tended to increase with elevated CO₂ concentration. These results suggest that soil respiration rate in Japanese warm temperate broad-leaved forests dominated by Q. glauca is sensitive to elevated CO₂ and is likely to increase under future climatic conditions.     

Litterfall production, decomposition and nutrient use efficiency varies with tropical forest types in Xishuangbanna, SW China: a 10-year study

Litterfall production, decomposition and nutrient use efficiency in three different tropical forest ecosystems in SW China were studied for 10 years. Annual mean litterfall production in tropical seasonal forest (TSF) (9.47?±?1.65 Mg ha^?1) was similar to that in man-made tropical forest (MTF) (9.23?±?1.29 Mg ha^?1) (P?>?0.05) but both were significantly lower than that in secondary tropical forest (STF) (12.96?±?1.71 Mg ha^?1) (P?<?0.05). The annual variation of litterfall was greater in TSF (17.4%, P?<?0.05) than in MTF (14.0%) or STF (13.2%). The annual mean decomposition rate of litterfall increased followed the order of MTF (2.72)?<?TSF (3.15)?<?STF (3.50) (P?<?0.05), which was not correlated with annual precipitation or annual mean temperature, but was rather related to litter quality. The nutrient use efficiency was found to be element-dependent and to vary significantly among the three forest types (P?<?0.05). These results indicate that litterfall production and decomposition rates in different tropical forest systems are related to plant species composition and are influenced strongly by coexisting species and their life stage (age) but less so by the species richness. Constructing multi-species and multistory man-made tropical forest is an effective way to enhance biological productivity and maintain soil nutrients on degraded tropical land.     

Effects of dietary chromium picolinate and peppermint essential oil on growth performance and blood biochemical parameters of broiler chicks reared under heat stress conditions

A study was conducted using 240 female day-old broiler chicks to evaluate the effects of dietary chromium picolinate (CrPic), peppermint essential oil (P.mint), or their combination on growth performance and blood biochemical parameters of female broiler chicks raised under heat stress conditions (HS, 23.9 to 38 °C cycling). Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were obtained from 1 to 42 days of age. Furthermore, at the end of the experiment (day 42), birds were bled to determine some blood biochemical parameters and weighed for final body weight (BW). ADFI, ADG, and BW were not influenced significantly by dietary CrPic and P.mint (P?>?0.05). A significant interaction between dietary CrPic and P.mint on FCR (P?=?0.012) was detected. FCR significantly decreased in chicks fed the diet including both CrPic and P.mint compared with the CrPic group. Significant interaction between dietary P.mint and CrPic on serum concentrations of triglycerides, glucose, and albumin were observed (P?<?0.05), but the other measured blood biochemical parameters were not statistically affected by dietary treatments (P?>?0.05). The serum concentrations of glucose, triglycerides were decreased (P?<?0.05) in broilers fed the diet including both CrPic and P.mint. Plasma chromium (Cr) content increased significantly (P?<?0.05) in birds fed the CrPic-included diet compared with the control group (P?<?0.05). From the results of the present experiment it can be concluded that dietary supplementation with combined P.mint and CrPic could have beneficial effects on some blood biochemical parameters of female chicks reared under heat stress conditions.     

Protective Role of Cactus Cladodes Extract on Sodium Dichromate-Induced Testicular Injury and Oxidative Stress in Rats

Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) is a xerophyte plant that belongs to the Cactaceae family. The present study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of cactus cladodes extract (CCE) on sodium dichromate-induced testis damage in adult male Wistar rats. For this purpose, CCE at a dose of 100 mg/kg was orally administrated, followed by 10 mg/kg sodium dichromate (intraperitoneal injection). After 40 days of treatment, the rats were sacrificed, and the testes were excised for histological, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and antioxidant enzyme analyses. Sodium dichromate treatment significantly (P?<?0.01) decreased the body, testis, and accessory sex organ weights, sperm count and motility, and serum testosterone level. In addition, histological analysis revealed pronounced morphological alterations with tubular necrosis and reduction in the number of gametes in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules of sodium dichromate-intoxicated rats. Furthermore, exposure to sodium dichromate significantly (P?<?0.01) increased LPO level and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in testis. Interestingly, pretreatment with CCE significantly (P?<?0.01) restored the serum testosterone level, sperm count, and motility to the levels of the control group. Moreover, CCE administration was capable of reducing the elevated level of LPO and significantly (P?<?0.01) increased SOD, CAT, and GPx activities in testis. Cactus cladodes supplementation minimized oxidative damage and reversed the impairment of spermatogenesis and testosterone production induced by sodium dichromate in the rat testis.     

The effect of hyperammonemia on myostatin and myogenic regulatory factor gene expression in broiler embryos

Myogenesis is facilitated by four myogenic regulatory factors and is significantly inhibited by myostatin. The objective of the current study was to examine embryonic gene regulation of myostatin/myogenic regulatory factors, and subsequent manipulations of protein synthesis, in broiler embryos under induced hyperammonemia. Broiler eggs were injected with ammonium acetate solution four times over 48 h beginning on either embryonic day (ED) 15 or 17. Serum ammonia concentration was significantly higher (P<0.05) in ammonium acetate injected embryos for both ED17 and ED19 collected samples when compared with sham-injected controls. Expression of mRNA, extracted from pectoralis major of experimental and control embryos, was measured using real-time quantitative PCR for myostatin, myogenic regulatory factors myogenic factor 5, myogenic determination factor 1, myogenin, myogenic regulatory factor 4 and paired box 7. A significantly lower (P<0.01) myostatin expression was accompanied by a higher serum ammonia concentration in both ED17 and ED19 collected samples. Myogenic factor 5 expression was higher (P<0.05) in ED17 collected samples administered ammonium acetate. In both ED17 and ED19 collected samples, myogenic regulatory factor 4 was lower (P⩽0.05) in ammonium acetate injected embryos. No significant difference was seen in myogenic determination factor 1, myogenin or paired box 7 expression between treatment groups for either age of sample collection. In addition, there was no significant difference in BrdU staining of histological samples taken from treated and control embryos. Myostatin protein levels were evaluated by Western blot analysis, and also showed lower myostatin expression (P<0.05). Overall, it appears possible to inhibit myostatin expression through hyperammonemia, which is expected to have a positive effect on embryonic myogenesis and postnatal muscle growth.