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Publications concerning the protective effect of pectin against lead induced toxicity in rats are not available. In order to study such effect, 40 male rats were divided into 3 groups. The first group was contained 10 rats that kept as control group. The second group was contained 10 rats that received pectin at dose of 100 mg/kg BW during experimental period (8 weeks). The third group was contained 20 rats that received 400mg/kg BW of lead acetate daily for 4 weeks then divided into two subgroups (3A and 3B). Subgroup 3A contained 10 rats that still receive lead acetate in the same dosage whereas, subgroup B co-treated with lead acetate and pectin daily for another 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected after 2, 4 and 8 weeks from the start of the experiment. Liver, kidney and bone marrows were collected only at the end of the experiment. Lead acetate induced anemia only after 4 weeks of administration as reflected on decreased values of Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC. These indices remained at lower levels in lead acetate treated groups until the end of the experiment. Concentrations of serum ferritin, iron, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and the expression of hepatic hepcidin gene were decreased significantly in lead acetate intoxicated rats compared to control. Activities of ALT and AST and concentrations of urea, creatinine, Nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, IL-6, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and lead were increased significantly in lead acetate intoxicated group compared to control. Hepatic degeneration and hemorrhage, renal lytic necrosis and apoptosis of myeloid cells were most prominent changes in lead intoxicated rats. Lead acetated related changes were improved by co-treatment with pectin however; normal control values have not been achieved. Conclusively, pectin is recommended to protect against lead acetate toxicity in rats. Key words: lead acetate; toxicity; pectin; hepcidin; oxidative stress biomarkers; histopathology

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary linseed oil, sunflower oil, and their supplementation with Amphora coffeaeformis (AC) on growth performance, carcase characteristics, fatty and amino acid profiles, oxidative stability, and meat quality of broiler chickens. One hundred and eighty day-old broiler chicks were divided into four groups (five replicates per group, 9 birds per each replicate pen). Birds in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 fed diets containing 3% sunflower oil without AC (SFO 3%), 3% SFO with 1 g/kg diet of AC (SFAC), 3% linseed oil without AC (LSO 3%) and 3% LSO oil with 1 g/kg diet of AC (LSAC), respectively for 32 days. Final weight and weight gain were increased whereas fat pads were decreased in birds fed diets containing SFAC or LSAC compared to other groups. The values of omega-3 fatty acids, essential amino acids, and antioxidants were increased while saturated fatty acids (SFA) declined in the meat of birds fed diets supplemented with AC (SFAC & LSAC) compared to other groups. Lysine levels in the meat of birds fed AC and/or linseed diets were inversely related to hepatic L-carnitine levels. Breast meats of different broiler groups did not differ significantly in quality traits. However, broilers fed AC-containing diets had relatively lower yellowness, redness, and Chroma values. Conclusively, dietary combinations of AC with either SFO or LSO improved the performance, fatty and amino acid profiles, oxidative stability, and meat quality of broiler chickens.Highlights Supplying Amphora coffeaeformis (AC) to broiler sunflower (SFAC) or linseed oil (LSAC) diets improved performance. Dietary AC, 1 g/kg, improved the meat nutritional value of broilers fed SFAC or LSAC diets. Dietary AC, 1 g/kg, improved the meat oxidative stability of broilers fed SFAC or LSAC diets.

Recent studies have demonstrated that cancer cells can elude immune cells by creating a sanctuary within the tumor’s microenvironment. Large amounts of immune-suppressing signaling proteins can be expressed by cancer cells. One of the most important mechanisms in this system is immune suppression caused by tumors and the modulation of the immune checkpoint. The immune checkpoint is modulated by both the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligands, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and PD-L2. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), including the more well-known microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), all play roles in the regulation of biological processes and extensive diseases such as cancer. Thus, the focus of this study is on the interactions between the programmed death protein and its ligands with miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs during tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Furthermore, some FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of various cancers were based on their interactions with PD-1, PD-Ls, and ncRNAs. This promising strategy is still in the production stages, with additional results and clinical trials being processed.

This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) prepared from leaf extract of Petroselinum crispum compared to those prepared using a chemical method in lead-acetate-induced anemic rats. Twenty rats were divided into four groups (five rats each). Throughout the experimental period (8 weeks), the rats in group 1 were not given any therapy. The rats in groups 2, 3 and 4 were given 400 ppm lead acetate orally for 2 weeks to make them anemic. Following that, these rats were either left untreated, given 27 ppm of chemical IONPs orally or given 27 ppm of natural IONPs orally for the remaining 6 weeks of the experiment. TEM analysis indicated that the chemically and naturally prepared IONPs had sizes of 6.22–9.7 and 64–68 nm, respectively. Serum ferritin and iron concentrations were reduced, whereas the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), ALT, AST, urea and creatinine were significantly increased in the non-treated lead-acetate-induced anemic rats compared to those of the control. In addition, congestion, hemorrhage, necrosis, vacuolation and leukocytic infiltration in the kidneys, liver and spleen were observed in non-treated lead-acetate-induced anemic rats compared to the control. The effects of lead acetate were mitigated by IONPs, particularly the natural one. In conclusion, IONPs produced from Petroselinum crispum leaf extract can be used as an efficient and safe therapy in lead-acetate-induced anemic rats.

This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) prepared from leaf extract of Petroselinum crispum compared to those prepared using a chemical method in lead-acetate-induced anemic rats. Twenty rats were divided into four groups (five rats each). Throughout the experimental period (8 weeks), the rats in group 1 were not given any therapy. The rats in groups 2, 3 and 4 were given 400 ppm lead acetate orally for 2 weeks to make them anemic. Following that, these rats were either left untreated, given 27 ppm of chemical IONPs orally or given 27 ppm of natural IONPs orally for the remaining 6 weeks of the experiment. TEM analysis indicated that the chemically and naturally prepared IONPs had sizes of 6.22–9.7 and 64–68 nm, respectively. Serum ferritin and iron concentrations were reduced, whereas the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), ALT, AST, urea and creatinine were significantly increased in the non-treated lead-acetate-induced anemic rats compared to those of the control. In addition, congestion, hemorrhage, necrosis, vacuolation and leukocytic infiltration in the kidneys, liver and spleen were observed in non-treated lead-acetate-induced anemic rats compared to the control. The effects of lead acetate were mitigated by IONPs, particularly the natural one. In conclusion, IONPs produced from Petroselinum crispum leaf extract can be used as an efficient and safe therapy in lead-acetate-induced anemic rats.

Three different diets were formulated with three levels of metabolizable energy (ME) (optimum, 2900, restricted, 2800 and low, 2700 kcal ME/kg diet) without or with (0 and 0.15%) betaine supplementation in 2 &times, 3 factorial design to evaluate the effect of six experimental diets on performance, proteins and lipids profiles, bioenergetics, peroxidation and meat quality of Japanese quail. Therefore, 360 quails allocated into six groups in a 23-day experiment. Dietary betaine and ME levels did not affect the performance, meat energy indices (ATP and AMP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of Japanese quail meat. Dietary betaine and/or ME levels induced significant changes in serum triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterols (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), meat total lipids and cholesterol of Japanese quail. Optimum and restricted ME levels reduced total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) whereas dietary betaine increased ecosapentaenoic (EPA), docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) and glutamine concentrations in breast meat of Japanese quail. Dietary betaine and low energy diet improved cooking loss, thawing loss (ThL) and water holding capacity (WHC) in breast meat of Japanese quail. Conclusively, dietary betaine improved meat quality of Japanese quail fed diets containing either restricted or low ME by enrichments the meat with omega-3 fatty acids and reduction of lipids levels.

Background The use of zinc oxide in the form of nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) is of great benefit due to its potent effectiveness and higher bioavailability compared to zinc oxide. This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary inclusion of different doses of ZnO-NPs on selected serum biomarkers, lipid peroxidation and tissue gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and cytokines in Japanese quail. Eighty Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) (45 days old) were randomly divided into four groups (20 birds for each) with 4 replicates (5 birds each). Birds in the first group were fed a basal diet alone and served as a control (C). Birds in groups 2–4 were fed the basal diet supplemented with ZnO-NPs at doses of 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg for a period of 60 days. At the end of the experiment, all birds were sacrificed to collect blood in a plain vacutainer, whereas liver and brain tissues were stored frozen at -80 °C. The obtained sera were used for the analysis of selected biochemical parameters, whereas tissue homogenates were used for the estimation of zinc, oxidative stress biomarkers and gene expression of selected antioxidant enzymes and cytokines. Results ZnO-NPs (30 and 60 mg/kg) induced a significant decrease in serum triacylglycerol (TAG) compared to the control. ZnO-NPs did not affect the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin and tissue zinc concentrations but reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared to the control. The liver retained a higher zinc concentration than that of brain tissue. In a dose-dependent manner, ZnO-NPs upregulated the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase: SOD1; catalase: CAT; glutathione peroxidase-1: GPX 1) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (interferon α: IFN-α; interleukin 6: IL-6) in liver and brain tissues. Conclusion The current study suggests the inclusion of ZnO-NPs, particularly 60 mg/kg, in the diet of Japanese quails to improve antioxidant and immune status.

A bunch of β-naphthalene incorporated thiazole-5-carboxamides/thiazole -5- ketones (7a-7o& 8a-8e) were prepared by reacting 4-methyl-2-(naphthalen-2-yl)thiazole-5-carbonyl chloride with appropriate amines. Structures of all the compounds were explained by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H NMR and mass spectral data. The compounds were evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity employing MES and chemoshock (scPTZ) seizure tests. Neurotoxicity was also assessed. Majority of these compounds exhibited significant activity against both animal models; however, compounds 7e, 7j, 7n and 8c displayed promising activity and could be considered as leads for further investigations.

The study used 96 broiler chickens to evaluate the impact of three species of microalgae on performance, profiles of fatty and amino acids, antioxidants, and meat quality of breast muscles. Birds were divided into four groups (24 birds/each) with 4 replicates (6 birds each). Birds in the first group were fed basal diet and served as a control (C). Birds of 2&ndash, 4 groups were fed basal diet mixed with same dose (1 g/kg diet) of Chlorella vulgaris (CV), Spirulina platensis (SP), and Amphora coffeaformis (AC). At the age of 36 days, performance parameters were reported, and breast muscle samples were collected and stored frozen at &minus, 80 &deg, C. AC shared CV in the superiority of increasing final body weight and body weight gain compared to SP and control. AC shared SP in the superiority of increasing the level of essential fatty and amino acids and decreasing the microbial growth in breast muscle compared to CV and control. All studied microalgae reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels, cooking loss, and aerobic plate count (APC) and increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in breast muscle compared to control. The current study indicated that studied microalgae, notably AC, can be used to enhance performance and meat quality in broilers chickens.

The higher bioavailability, lower toxicity, and lower potential environmental risks of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) compared to traditional sources of zinc (Zn) encouraged researchers to use it in animal diets. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary low ZnO NPs levels supplementation on the meat yield of Shami goats using ultrasound examination. A total of thirty healthy female Shami goats with an average body weight of 38.43 ± 1.94 kg at 2–3 years old were randomly distributed into three equal groups (10 goats/group). The first group was fed a basal diet (control), while the second and third groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 11.25 mg/kg (T1) and 22.50 mg/kg (T2) dry matter (DM) of ZnO NPs, respectively, for 12 weeks. Longissimus dorsi muscle ultrasound evaluation at both the thoracic and lumbar regions revealed denser transverse process-related acoustic shadowing (TS), rib-related acoustic shadowing (RS), and muscular shadowing (MS) in goats supplemented with ZnO NPs, T1 and T2, compared to goats fed a control diet. Furthermore, ultrasound measurements of the thoracic and lumbar longissimus dorsi regions of goats supplemented with ZnO NPs at both levels revealed greater fat thickness, depth, perimeter, and area compared to animals fed a control diet (p

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of four combinations of dietary linseed oil and lysine mixtures on performance, fatty and amino acid profiles, oxidative stress biomarkers, cell energy and meat quality parameters of broiler chickens. One hundred and sixty broiler chicks were allocated into four groups. Birds of groups 1–4 were fed diets containing optimum lysine and 2% of linseed oil, optimum lysine and 4% of linseed oil, high lysine and 2% of linseed oil, and high lysine and 4% of linseed oil, respectively, for a period of 35 days. High linseed oil or lysine levels did not affect the performance of the tested birds, but the high level of dietary linseed oil decreased the concentrations of muscles’ saturated fatty acids (SFA). The highest values of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty (ω-3 PUFA) and arachidonic acids with lowest levels of monounsaturated fatty (MUFA) were detected in the muscles of birds fed diets containing high linseed oils and/or lysine levels. High linseed oil or lysine levels provided the best essential amino acid profile and improved antioxidant components as well as cell energy, and tenderness and redness of the meat. Conclusively, high dietary lysine and linseed oil combinations improved the nutritional value, antioxidant status and cell energy of broiler chickens’ meat.

The effects of shearing on behavioral patterns, antioxidants, and inflammatory and stress biomarkers was investigated in Ossimi sheep. Clinical parameters and behavioral patterns were recorded, and serum samples were collected pre-shearing and 1, 5, 10 and 15 days post-shearing from 60 Ossimi sheep. The results revealed that grooming and standing idle frequencies were significantly (P

Problem statement: Samples of allantoic, amniotic fluid, fetal liver, kidney, maternal plasma and liver were collected from 30 ewes and classified into either early or late gestation and copper concentrations were measured. Approach: The Cu concentrations in the maternal plasma, allantoic, amniotic fluid, fetal liver and kidney increased significantly (p

To investigate the physiological roles of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) in avian species, we elucidated the effect of intraperitoneal (i.p.) and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of GLP-1 and GLP-2 on food intake, body temperature and gross locomotor activity in adult Japanese quail. Both i.p. and i.c.v. administration of GLP-1 suppressed food intake at 2, 4 and 12h after administration. Moreover, both i.p. and i.c.v. administration of GLP-1 significantly decreased both body temperature and gross locomotor activity 2h after administration. On the other hand, both i.p. and i.c.v. administration of GLP-2 had no effect on food intake, body temperature or gross locomotor activity. These results suggest that GLP-1 may have an important role in the regulation of food intake, body temperature and locomotor activity while GLP-2 may have no apparent effect on feeding regulation in adult Japanese quail.

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the extract of green tea and/or ginger on some hematological and immunobiochemical profiles in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. The results revealed that treatment of diabetic animals with extract of green tea and/or ginger elevated the decreased HDL-c and LDL-c but significantly decreased triglycerides, the elevated glucose and GOT concentrations. The result also displayed a non-significant increase in the levels of CRP and fibrinogen. The experiment also revealed that the elevated MDA and GSH level fell down to the normal control group. The result also showed that after green tea and/or ginger extract treatment, the lowered RBC, WBC counts, PCV, percentage of neutrophils were increased and the elevated MCV, MCH, and MCHC of diabetic rabbits were decreased to normal levels. Thus, the overall results may indicate that green tea and/or ginger extracts have a significant hypoglycemic effect in diabetic rabbits. In addition, the extracts may be capable of improving hyperlipidemia, the impaired kidney function and hemogram in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits.

Neuromedin S (NMS) was recently isolated from the brains of humans, mice and rats as an endogenous ligand for the orphan G protein-coupled receptors FM-3 and FM-4, which have been identified as neuromedin U (NMU) receptors 1 and 2, respectively. To investigate the role of NMS in avian species, we elucidated the effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of rat NMS on food intake, body weight, body temperature and gross locomotor activity in adult Japanese quails. NMS significantly decreased food intake (and consequently body weight) in a time-dependent manner during 12-h light period, but increased both body temperature and gross locomotor activity. On the other hand, i.c.v. injection of rat NMU showed the reverse effects of NMS in Japanese quail. These results suggest that NMS may play an important role in regulating food intake and sympathetic nerve activity in the Japanese quail.

When rat or human ghrelin is administered to chickens or rats it stimulates the release of growth hormone, however, its effects on food intake differ between the two species. To investigate this discrepancy, we measured plasma ghrelin concentrations before and after food intake, and determined the effects of central (intracerebroventricular, icv) and peripheral (intraperitoneal, ip) injections of various ghrelin doses on food intake and body temperature in the Japanese quail. In control quails, plasma ghrelin levels were significantly increased in the fasting state; subsequent feeding produced a reduction, suggesting that ghrelin may act as an orexigenic signal in Japanese quails as well as mammals. Food intake was stimulated by ip, but not icv, injections of small doses of ghrelin, whereas both ip and icv injections of larger doses inhibited feeding. A large dose of ghrelin also increased body temperature. These results suggest that an increase in peripheral ghrelin may act as a hunger signal to induce food intake through stimulation of the afferent vagal nerve in the Japanese quail, as in rats, whereas central ghrelin may inhibit feeding in different ways in the two species.

Neuromedin U (NMU), which is a brain-gut peptide, was first isolated as a smooth-muscle-contracting peptide from the porcine spinal cord in 1985. Intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of NMU into rats significantly reduced the food intake during dark period, and increased oxygen consumption, locomotor activity, and body temperature suggested that NMU is an anorectic and catabolic signaling molecule in mammals. In this study, we elucidated the central role of NMU in avian species using Japanese quail. Gene cloning analysis revealed that the amino acid sequence of Japanese quail NMU has high homology with that of chick, and low homology with that of rat except the C-terminal biologically active region. RT-PCR analysis revealed that NMU mRNA was expressed in various central and peripheral tissues. Both intraperitoneal (ip) and icv administration of synthetic Japanese quail NMU resulted in a significant reduction in food intake and increase in body temperature and locomotor activity in Japanese quails. Conversely, the administration of rat NMU into Japanese quail resulted in the opposite effects on food intake, body temperature, and locomotor activity. These opposite results may indicate that rat NMU act as an antagonist toward the Japanese quail NMU receptor. These results suggest that endogenous NMU plays an important role in the regulation of food intake and body temperature in avian species.

Pregnancy toxemia was induced in nine pregnant goat does with twins by the stress of fasting with access to water in late pregnancy to investigate the effect of pregnancy toxemia on immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, and IgG), cortisol, insulin, thyroid, and growth hormones and their correlations with the plasma levels of glucose andβ-Hydroxybutyrate. Plasma samples were collected at 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours after induction of pregnancy toxemia. The result revealed that experimental animals developed neurological findings with convulsions and acetone odor from the mouth with recumbency after 72 hours. Laboratory findings showed a significant increase inβ-Hydroxybutyrate, cortisol, and insulin while there were significant decreases in glucose, thyroid, and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, and IgG). Plasma glucose concentrations had significant negative correlations withβ-hydroxybutyrate, cortisol, and insulin while the correlations were significantly positive with immunoglobulins and thyroid hormone. Plasmaβ-hydroxybutyrate concentration was significantly positively correlated with cortisol and negatively correlated with immunoglobulins, insulin, and thyroid hormone. From this study we can conclude that pregnancy toxemia might affect humoral immune responses as well as insulin, cortisol, and thyroid hormones. Moreover, insulin might have a compensatory role to increase suppressive effect on ketogenesis in experimentally pregnant toxemic goats.