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The effects of resveratrol on various conditions have been widely studied previously. This paper aimed to investigate the influence of resveratrol on atherosclerosis (AS). Twenty-four New Zealand male rabbits were randomly and equally assigned to the normal diet group (NDG), fat diet group (FDG), and fat diet with resveratrol group (80 mg/kg/d, RFG). Biochemical indicators from blood samples were analyzed at baseline and 3 months to investigate the effects of resveratrol on blood lipid, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), liver, and renal function. The indicators including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (CREA), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and Lp-PLA2. At 3 months, arteries were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to study the influence of resveratrol on the aortic intima, smooth muscle layer, and the intima/media ratio. Comparisons of weight, ALT, AST, CREA, TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, and Lp-PLA2 among the three groups showed no significant difference at baseline. However, at the end of 3 months, significant differences were observed in AST, CREA, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, and Lp-PLA2 between the three groups (P < 0.05). In pairwise comparison, CREA, TC, LDL-C, and Lp-PLA2 had significant differences between any two groups (P < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in the AST and HDL-C levels between RFG and NDG groups (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the HDL-C levels were also significantly different between the FDG and NDG groups (P < 0.01). The histologic analysis also showed that the thickness of the aortic intima and the ratio of the intima and aortic tunica media (P < 0.05) significantly decreased in RFG compared to FDG. Resveratrol may have an antiatherosclerosis effect on a rabbit model of AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coccidiosis in rabbit production is responsible for high morbidity, mortality, and economic losses. The use of natural antimicrobial substances in rabbits represents a promising way to improve their health and production. The aim of the present study was to assess the activity of Salix babylonica hydroalcoholic extract (SBHE) on the elimination of Eimeria spp. in rabbits. The phytochemical compounds and chemical composition of SBHE were determined. The cytotoxicity of SBHE was determined by a microwell assay using Artemia salina. Twenty-five New Zealand rabbits, 28 days old and 872 ± 171 g body weight (BW), were used in a completely randomized design. The rabbits were assigned to five groups of five rabbits, control group (A) received only basal diet (BD), B group received BD + 25 mg/kg BW of SBHE, C group received BD + 50 mg/kg BW of SBHE, D group received BD + 100 mg/kg BW of SBHE, and E group received BD + coccidiostat Baycox® (75 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. Feces samples were collected at days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28; morphological and morphometric identifications of Eimeria were carried out by the flotation technique and counting of oocysts by the McMaster technique. The rabbits were found naturally infected with Eimeria spp. The SBHE present phytochemicals with anticoccidial activity, and the cytotoxicity test indicate that this extract is nontoxic. This study demonstrates that oral administration of SBHE at 25 and 50 mg/kg BW reduced the release of oocysts per gram of feces. This effect was observed at day 14 and had the most significant effect at day 28 for both concentrations. The results indicate that SBHE could be a natural alternative for the control of coccidiosis in rabbit production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]