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To promote the sustainable production of local pigs, their dietary protein requirements need to be determined. Meat production from these pigs when fed on appropriate diets, coupled with their adaptability to climatic extremes and disease and parasite challenges, could be of huge benefit to the pork industry. The objective of the study was to determine the carcass traits, primary pork cuts, and internal organ weights of pigs fed decreasing dietary protein levels. Thirty, slow-growing, Windsnyer male pigs were randomly allocated to six dietary treatments in a complete randomized design. There were five replications for each of the six treatments. Dietary crude protein levels in the six experimental diets were 193, 174, 154, 135, 116, and 97 g/kg, respectively. The diets were formulated to contain similar net energy levels of ~9.5 MJ/kg. Lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan levels were the same for all diets. A two week adaptation was followed by an 8w feeding phase. At slaughter, pigs had an average weight of ~39.13±0.85 kg. Pigs were humanely slaughtered at the end of feeding period to determine carcass characteristics, primary pork cuts, and internal organ size. A negative linear relationship was observed between protein levels and cooler shrink. There was a positive linear relationship between protein level and dressing percentage, cooler shrink, and shoulder fat. There was a quadratic relationship between dietary protein level and shoulder fat, ham diameter, P2(3) backfat depth, and kidney weight. The thickness of dorsal fat at the last rib, the thickness of back fat, and the width of back fat at P2(2) increased linearly as protein level decreased. The reduction in dietary protein level had an influence on carcass traits, primal pork cuts, and internal organs in slow-growing Windsnyer pigs. A reduction in dietary protein level below 116 g/kg compromised ham diameter, P2(3) width of back fat thickness, shoulder fat, and kidney weight.&nbsp

Objective: To investigate the outcomes of energy drink on renal tubules of albino rats. Study Design: Laboratory-based experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: King Edward Medical University, Lahore from Aug 2018 to Dec 2019. Methodology: Group A and B were experimental groups received 1.5ml/kg and 2.2ml/kg body weight of energy drink, respectively. Group C received 1ml/kg body weight of distilled water. Comparison among groups was made by applying One-Way ANOVA for quantitative variables. Tukey’ test was used for post hoc analysis. For qualitative variables, chi-square test was applied to make comparison among groups Results: The mean initial and final weight of animals was around 152.7 ± 5.3g and 171.9 ± 5.1g, respectively. The mean paired kidney weight, relative tissue weight index, length and width of kidneys for all three groups were found insignificant. Microscopic examination showed tubular vacuolization in groups A and B showing p-value of 0.027. Conclusion: Consumption of energy drinks results in histopathological injury of epithelial cells of renal tubules.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of feed quantity offered (1.5, 2.0 or 2.5 kg) on growth performance, carcass yield, organs weight and backfat composition. A total of 48 Large White grower male pigs with initial average weight of 36.48±2.25 kg were allotted to 3 treatments of 16 pigs per treatment and were further replicated into 4 with 4 pigs per replicate. Data were collected on weekly basis and carcass characteristics were performed when the pigs on each experimental group attained an average weight 70 kg. Final body weight, daily weight gain and daily feed intake were significantly (P0.05) enhanced by feed quantity offered. The weight of ham (11.54, 12.18 and 13.41%) increased significantly (P

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of dietary lead (Pb) supplementation and feeding period on growth performance, organ weight, and Pb accumulation in pigs.Methods: In a 56-day feeding experiment, a total of 48 barrows with initial body weight 10.4±0.6 kg were allotted to 2 dietary treatments (0 and 200 mg/kg of supplemental Pb) in a completely randomized design with 6 replicates. Body weight and feed intake were recorded to calculate growth performance. At the end of each 14 day-period (on days 14, 28, 42, and 56), an animal was randomly selected from each pen and slaughtered to collect blood samples, hair samples, left 5th rib, heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and longissimus dorsi muscle samples.Results: Average daily gain and average daily feed intake were reduced (p

Metabolic sex differences have recently been shown to be particularly important in tailoring treatment strategies. Sex has a major effect on fat turnover rates and plasma lipid delivery in the body. Differences in kidney structure and transporters between male and female animals have been found. Here we investigated sex-specific renal pyruvate metabolic flux and whole-kidney functional status in age-matched healthy Wistar rats. Blood oxygenation level–dependent and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to assess functional status. Hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate was used to assess the metabolic differences between male and female rats. Female rats had a 41% ± 3% and 41% ± 5% lower absolute body and kidney weight, respectively, than age-matched male rats. No difference was seen between age-matched male and female rats in the kidney-to-body weight ratio. A 56% ± 11% lower lactate production per mL/100 mL/min was found in female rats than in age-matched male rats measured by hyperpolarized magnetic resonance and DCE MRI. Female rats had a 33% ± 11% higher glomerular filtration rate than age-matched male rats measured by DCE MRI. A similar renal oxygen tension (T2*) was found between age-matched male and female rats as shown by blood oxygenation level–dependent MRI. The results were largely independent of the pyruvate volume and the difference in body weight. This study shows an existing metabolic difference between kidneys in age-matched male and female rats, which indicates that sex differences need to be considered when performing animal experiments.

The formation of the caudal vena cava is a complex process involving development, regression, and anastomosis. In mammals, the normal caudal vena cava runs to the right side of the abdominal aorta, while duplication of the caudal vena cava has been identified as a congenital abnormality in both companion animals and humans. The present study demonstrates that Slc:Hartley guinea pigs frequently possess asymptomatic duplicated caudal vena cava. The prevalence was 30% and 24% for males and females, respectively, with no sex-related differences. In accordance with Saad et al. (2012)’s criteria, duplicated caudal vena cava were classified into two distinct variations. The dominant variation was a complete duplication without iliac anastomosis where the left caudal vena cava continued from the left common iliac vein and joined the left renal vein; the left renal vein ran to the right to join the right caudal vena cava. The alternative variation was an incomplete duplication where the left caudal vena cava joined the right infrarenal caudal vena cava at a more cranial point than in normal cases; the renal segment was unchanged. Iliac anastomosis was not found in any cases. Duplicated caudal vena cava neither affected the body weight nor the kidney weight. In conclusion, Slc:Hartley guinea pigs frequently possess asymptomatic duplicated caudal vena cava in the absence of iliac anastomosis and appear to be a novel and useful animal model for duplicated caudal vena cava in animals and humans.

The present study was conducted using 24 normal male of Swiss white mice weighing (36-40 gm), 70 days old .The mice were divided into four groups of six mice each. The mice of control group were fed pellet and given tap water during the entire period of the experiment (30 days).The other three groups of mice were given cadmium oxide orally at doses of (7.0 mg / kg body wt., 14.1 mg / kg body wt., and 22.3 mg / kg body wt.) consecutively every day for 30 days and weight in gm was taken once a week. With standard histological techniques, samples were obtained from kidney of the mice. The body weights along with kidney weights were decreased with increase of doses. Also it has been concluded that cadmium oxide caused damages in renal corpuscle (Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus) and renal cortical tubules as well as decrease in body weight and kidney weight (wt.).

Diabetic kidney hypertrophy may contribute to the development of diabetic kidney disease. Hyperglycemia is recognized as a cause for the kidney endangerment. Salt may accelerate progression of kidney disease in diabetes. To further study the effect of high salt intake on kidney disease we used neonatal streptozotocin induced Noninsulin Dependent Diabetic (NIDD) rats fed ad libitum with regular Purina chow and 2% salt Purina chow. Rats in 5 groups were sacrificed at 6 weeks. Each group had 5–7 rats of diabetics on 2% salt and on regular chow and controls on 2% salt and on regular chow. Blood glucose in diabetics on salt ranged between 185±19–576±20 and in diabetics on regular chow 184±20–458±78 mg/dl. Controls on 2% salt 105±8.6–133±10.3 and controls on regular chow 110±8.9 - 130±3.11. Kidney weights in diabetics on salt was 1.85±0.09–2.0±0.06 gr, diabetics on regular chow 1.6±0.04 - 1.56±0.06 controls on salt 1.19±0.03–1.32±0.05 and controls on regular chow 1.23±0.03. Blood glucose in diabetics on salt and on regular chow was higher than in controls p˂0.05 but did not differ between the diabetic groups. Kidney weight was increased in both diabetic groups compared with controls p˂0.05 and was increased in diabetics on salt compared with diabetics on regular chow p˂0.05 at all glucose levels. Controls on salt and on regular chow had similar kidney weights. Also kidney weight relative to body weight was higher in diabetics than in controls p˂0.05 and was higher in diabetics on salt compared to diabetics on regular chow p˂0.05, but there was no difference between controls on salt and controls on regular diet. Kidney % of water was similar in all four groups but protein to kidney DNA ratio was higher in the diabetic groups p˂0.05 confirming the kidney hypertrophy. Insulin sensitivity measured in controls was not different between groups when glucose transport, glucose oxidation and lipogenesis were measured in fat cells showing no effect of salt on insulin sensitivity. We suggest that high salt intake is an additional risk factor for increased kidney weight in NIDDM that is additive to that of the prevailing glycemia.

Arachis hypogaea L. (peanut) leaf is traditionally used for the treatment of insomnia in Asia. However, studies describing the safety and toxicity profile for this plant preparation are limited. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the toxicity of peanut leaf hydroalcoholic extract (PLHE) repeated treatment. The extract was administered orally (100, 300 or 1000 mg/kg) in male and female Wistar rats for 28 days (OECD guideline 407). PLHE treatment did not cause mortality or weight variation in the animals. Also, there was no alteration on locomotor activity (open field test), motor coordination (rotarod test), or anxiety behaviour (elevated plus-maze test). Male rats had a reduction in relative liver weight (100 mg/kg) and an increase in total kidney weight (1000 mg/kg), but there was no change in biochemical and haematological parameters after PLHE treatment. Free extracellular double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) levels was also evaluated, but PLHE treatment did not increase this parameter in rat organs. Also, the dose of 1000 mg/kg of PLHE significantly increased the total thiols in the liver of females compared with the control animals. Thus, PLHE did not induce toxicity after repeated exposure for 28 days in rats.

BACKGROUND: The ureteral obstruction (UO) is the most common clinical disorders. This study was designed to investigate the renoprotective effect of estradiol in unilateral UO (UUO) and reversible UUO (RUUO).METHODS: Eighty-four ovareictomized Wistar rats were assigned into 14 groups. Group 1 was sham operated group. All the groups 2-14 were subject to UUO, however they received additional treatments. Group 2-4 received test substances (vehicle, 0.1 or 0.05 mg/kg of estradiol) and sacrificed after 3 days. Group 5-7 received test substances and after 3 days followed by RUUO (obstruction removal) and after one day post RUUO were sacrificed. Group 8-9 followed by RUUO after 3 days and simultaneously received estradiol and after one day post RUUO were sacrificed. Group 10-12 followed by RUUO after 3 days and simultaneously received test substances and after 3 days post RUUO were sacrificed. Group 13-14 received test substances followed by RUUO and received test substances again and after 3 days post RUUO were sacrificed.RESULTS: The estradiol reduced body weight significantly (p

Background: Zingiber Officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae family) is knownas Ginger. It is famous for its antioxidant properties. Objectives: To evaluate the effects ofGinger aqueous extract on the serum creatinine and paired kidney weight in Alloxan induceddiabetic nephropathy of albino rats. Study Design: Experimental study. Period: 06 months01-01-2013 to 30 June 2013. Setting: Anatomy Department, Sheikh Zayed, PGMI Lahore.Materials and Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced with Alloxan intraperitoneally (150 mg/kg body weight) in Experimental groups B & C. Then the rats of experimental group C received200mg/kg body weight of ginger aqueous extract by gavage daily for five weeks starting from8th day after Alloxan injection. Results: Serum creatinine levels increased more in experimentalgroup B as compared to experimental group C. Group wise comparison of creatinine levelrevealed that the difference among control (A group) and experimental (B & C Groups) wassignificant having p-value

Myrrh is a flavoring agent and food additive. Here, we performed a subchronic toxicity study of Myrrh in male and female F344 rats by feeding at 5,000, 15,000 and 50,000 ppm for 90 days. No deaths or clinical signs were observed. Suppression of body weight gain was observed from the early phase of administration in both males and females in the 50,000 ppm group. Because there were no obvious changes in food intake in any of the Myrrh groups compared with the control group, suppression of body weight gain was considered an adverse effect of Myrrh. Hematology and serum biochemistry parameters with significant changes observed in the Myrrh groups were considered to have no toxicological significance. We observed a significant increase in relative kidney weight in male rats treated with 50,000 ppm Myrrh; this effect was considered to be related to the appearance of hyaline droplets in the epithelium of the proximal tubules histopathologically observed in this group. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-α2u-globulin antibodies suggested that these hyaline droplets were caused by factors other than α2u-globulin deposition. Thus, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of Myrrh was determined to be 15,000 ppm (males: 0.85 g/kg/day, females: 0.95 g/kg/day).

To increase the chicken's productivity and performance it is imperative to exploit underutilized oil crops such as linseed meal as protein source. This study evaluated the effect of replacing soybean meal with graded levels of linseed meal on feed intake, growth performance and carcass parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 180 day-old Cobb500 broilers were distributed to five treatment diets in a completely randomized design replicated three times with 12 chicks each. Isocaloric and isonitrogenous treatment diets formulated were T1 (0%, diet with no linseed meal), T2 (25%), T3 (50%), T4 (75%) and T5 (100%, soybean meal in the diet was replaced by linseed meal). The feeding experiment lasted for 44 days. The total feed intake, mortality rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during starter phase were similar (P > 0.05) among treatments. High (P < 0.05) starter phase body weight was recorded for T3 compared to T1, T2, T4 and T5 treatments but T2, T4 and T5 had similar average daily gain. The feed intake, body weight change, FCR and mortality during finisher phase and entire period were similar (P > 0.05) among treatment groups. The weight of most carcasses were similar (P > 0.05) among treatment except the weight of kidney, heart, breast, liver and abdominal fat. Kidney weight for T1 and T3 were higher (P < 0.05) than for T2, T4 and T5. The weight of heart for T3 was higher than T2 and T5 while T1, T3 and T4 were similar (P > 0.05). High (P < 0.05) breast weight were observed for T3 than T2 and T4. Liver weight for T3 was greater (P < 0.05) than T2 and T5. The total feed cost decreased with increasing levels of linseed meal. High net return was obtained from T3 followed by T4 and T2. The results showed that although linseed meal can replace 100% soybean meal in the ration without detrimental effect on the health, replacement at 50% (T3) is recommended for better performance of broilers., Broilers, Carcass parameters, Linseed meal, Soybean meal.

Thirty (30) weaner New Zealand white rabbits of both sexes, made up of fifteen (15) males and fifteen (15) females were used for the experiment to investigate, the performance characteristics and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits fed five (5) dietary levels ofTalinum triangulareshoot meal (TTSM). Treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 received 0, 10, 15, 20 and 25% TTSM, respectively. Results obtained showed that rabbits on T2diet achieved the corresponding weight gain (1876.00) while T1, T3,T4and T5recorded weight gains of (1925.00, 1799, 1743 and 1655), respectively. Rabbits on T2diets also recorded a corresponding daily weight gain (74g) than those on T3, T4and T5(73g, 68g and 55g), respectively. There was also significant difference (P< 0.05) on the feed cost per kg gain as T2feed was cheaper (N191.20), than T3, T4and T5whose feed costs were N176.20, N151.10 and N119.70 respectively. Feed intake and initial live weight had no significant difference (P > 0.05) across the treatments. Results of organ weights showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) on the weight of intestine (g), heart weight (g), liver weight (g) and kidney weight (g) respectively. This investigation therefore suggests that New Zealand white rabbits can tolerateTalinum triangulareshoot meal (TTSM) up to 20% level for optimal performance. Higher levels of incorporation resulted in decreased performance and should be discouraged.

Background and Objectives: Laparoscopic nephrectomy is now considered a feasible surgical approach, even for large kidneys. In the case of massive kidneys, laparoscopy can be problematic, so that some authors suggest an open approach. However, previous studies have shown that hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (HALN) may represent a useful compromise. We describe our hand-assisted laparoscopic technique for nephrectomy of large kidneys (> 2500 g) to encourage the use of laparoscopy for nephrectomy in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 26 nephrectomies in 17 patients who underwent HALN for ADPKD and compared them to a group of 22 nephrectomies in 18 patients with open surgical technique. Results: The duration of the procedure was significantly longer in the laparoscopic group, with a median of 180 minutes versus 90 minutes for the unilateral nephrectomies, and 240 minutes versus 122 minutes for the bilateral procedures. The median kidney weight in the open group was 2500 g (range 1300 – 4500 g), while the median weight in the HALN group was 2375 g (range 1000 – 4700 g). The median hospital stay was comparable. No significant differences were recorded in the intra- and postoperative complication rate. Conclusion: Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy can be considered a technique of choice for patients suffering from ADPKD requiring nephrectomy, also with massive kidneys weighing more than 3500 g. Compared to open nephrectomy, HALN can be performed safely, with reasonably longer operating times and without major complications, and offers a significant reduction in hospitalization time, pain and postoperative discomfort.

The article is devoted to the studies of acute and sub-acute toxicity of dry extract from white bean (P. vulgaris) pods. The acute toxicity study of the extract was carried out according to the conventional classification of K.K Sidorov and showed that the extract refers to low-toxic substances (LD 50 following its intragastric administration is greater than 2000 mg/kg). The study of extract sub-acute toxicity showed the increasing of relative liver and kidney weight, which may indicate the existence of adverse effects of the extract under the conditions of its long-term administration.

This study assessed the protective effect of the carotenoid bixin and annatto seeds against possible nephrotoxicity induced with a single peritoneal administration of pharmacological cisplatin in male Wistar rats. After 48 h, the blood cell differential count showed a significant reduction in neutrophil counts in rats that received a diet rich in bixin when compared to the group that received only cisplatin. The use of cisplatin led to an increase in kidney weight. The carotenoid bixin attenuated renal injury, characterized by increased polymorphonuclear infiltration. No protective effect was observed with respect to Annatto. These results demonstrate the role of toxic cisplatin and suggest that bixin affords a protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. Keywords: Cisplatin, Bixin, Annatto, Cell differentiation, Nephrotoxicity, Antioxidant

Red Gedi (Abelmoschus moschatus Medik) is a plant found only in tropical climate areas such as Africa and Asia. Some people’s experience in Manado stated that red gedi plants can be used to treat various types of disease, one of them was kidney stones. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the activity and the effective dose of red gedi leaf extract as an inhibitor of kidney stone formation. The extract was prepared by maceration using ethanol 96%. Inhibitory activity test of kidney stone formation was done by firstly dividing the labrats into 6 groups. Each group consisted of 3 male rats. Both the first group (Normal control) and the second group (Negative control) weregiven Na.CMC 0.5%; the third group (Positive control) was given Batugin Elixir at a dose of 2.7 ml/kgBW; while the fourth, fifth, and sixth were respectively given red gedileaf extract at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kgBW. After 2 hours, all treatment groups were induced with0.75% of ethylene glycol and 2% of ammonium chloride except for the normal control. Ratio of kidney weight and the level of calcium were then measured and calculated. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using ANOVA (Analysis Of variance) and continued with LSD (Least Significantly Difference). It can be concluded that ethanol extract of red gedileaves had inhibitory activity of kidney stones formation in all dose variation and the most effective one was at a dose of 150 mg/kgBW

BACKGROUND The objective of the present study was to investigate the chronic effect of transgenic maize lines by the insertion of the cry1Ac gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on the growth performance, immune response and health using a Wuzhishan miniature pig model through a 196-day feeding study. RESULTS Based on the gender and weight, 72 Wuzhishan miniature pigs were randomly assigned one of the diets containing 65% non-transgenic isogenic corn or Bt corn at three stages of growth (day 0–69, 70–134 and 135–196). The potential toxicological effects of transgenic corn on pigs were explored. No difference between the diet treatments for growth performance and haematology parameters at any stages of growth. Although subtle differences in serum content of alanine aminotransferase, relative kidney weight and some immune response were observed between the Bt group and isogenic group, they were not considered as diet treatment-related. CONCLUSION Long-term feeding Bt corn carrying cry1Ac genes to Wuzhishan miniature pigs did not indicate adverse effects on the growth, immune response and health indicators at any stages of growth. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of two qualities of Tifton 85 hay enriched or not with vinasse in semi-simplified diets on the apparent nutrient digestibility, composition and nutritional contribution of cecotropes, productive performance, and carcass, edible viscera and gastrointestinal tract yields of growing New Zealand White rabbits. Fresh vinasse at a proportion of 2:1 was added to the diets containing high-quality (HQV) and low-quality Tifton 85 hay (LQV). The control diets containing high-quality (HQ) and low-quality Tifton 85 (LQ) were not enriched with vinasse. In the digestibility assay, the semi-simplified diets were not influenced (P>0.05) by the quality of hay or by the addition of vinasse, except for the digestibility coefficients of mineral matter, which were 52.31%, 51.13%, 54.45% and 46.73% for treatments HQ, HQV, LQ and LQV, respectively. In the cecotrophy assay, production, chemical composition or nutritional contribution was not altered (P>0.05) in any of the treatments. In the performance assay, no significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in productive parameters or carcass traits, except for kidney weight (P

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Astragalus by-product (ABP) on carcass characteristics, internal organ development, meat quality, and functional compound deposition in sheep. Twenty-four Doper x Small Tail Han female lambs (6–7 months of age; 29.07 ± 2.28 kg initial body weight) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments for a 47 d feeding period. Treatments consisted of dietary supplementation with 0 %, 10 %, or 15 % of ABP (dry matter basis). Bioactive compounds in ABP, liver, and muscle were analysed by the UHPLC-QTOF-MS procedure. Dietary ABP supplementation did not affect (P > 0.05) carcass characteristics and internal organ development indicators except kidney weight which increased linearly (P = 0.019). ABP inclusion had no effect (P > 0.05) on moisture, crude protein (CP), and ash composition in the Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle. Fat content in the LD muscle decreased (P 0.05). The results suggest that dietary inclusion of ABP can be used as a dietary option to develop novel functional meat that may confer certain health benefits to consumers. It provided a firm basis for the scientific exploration of the pharmacological efficacy of herbal medicine by-products.

Salim, H., Wood, K. M., Cant, J. P. and Swanson, K. C. 2015. Influence of feeding increasing levels of dry or modified wet corn distillers’ grains plus solubles in whole corn grain-based finishing diets on hepatic and renal mass, and glutathione peroxidase and urea cycle enzyme activities in finishing cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 407–415. Forty-two cross-bred steers (BW=357±5.8 kg) fed whole corn grain-based finishing diets were used in a completely randomized block (60, 120, or 180 d on feed) design (2×3 factorial arrangement of treatments plus control) to determine the effect of inclusion level [0 (control), 16.7, 33.3, and 50% of diet DM) and form (dry (DDGS) or modified wet (MWDGS)] of distillers’ grains plus solubles (DGS) on hepatic and renal glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and hepatic urea cycle enzyme activities. Kidney weight (g kg−1of BW) increased linearly (P=0.004) with increasing inclusion levels of DGS. There were no effects (P≥0.11) of dietary treatment on hepatic and renal GPx activity (U g−1, U mg−1of protein, and kU liver−1). Hepatic carbamoyl phosphate synthetase activity (kU liver−1and U kg−1of BW) tended to linearly increase (P=0.09 and P=0.10, respectively) with increasing inclusion level of DGS. Hepatic ornithine transcarbamoylase and argininosuccinate synthetase activity (kU liver−1and U kg−1of BW) increased linearly (P≤0.05) with increasing inclusion levels of DGS. These data indicate that steers adapt to feeding up to 50% DGS by increasing kidney mass and activity of urea cycle enzymes in liver to allow for clearance of excess nitrogen. Also, hepatic and renal GPx activity, as an indicator of Se status, is not affected when typical finishing diets are fed.

In this work, chemometric tools were applied to establish correlations between biomarkers and to identify the most significant ones in relation to acute exposure of Wistar rats to Pb. The metal content in biological matrices (serum, urine, liver, brain, and kidney), biochemical parameters (protein content, activity of the Glutathione S–Transferase enzymes, and urinalysis), apart from morphological measurements of organisms, were estimated in both the exposed and the control groups and submitted to Significance tests, Principal Component Analysis, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, and Generalized Procrustean Analysis. It could be observed that Pb in serum, but not in erythrocytes, was the biomarker associated with the Pb content in kidney and other parameters related to this organ. In the same way, Pearson correlation coefficients emphasized the relation between Pb in serum and these variables, with the exception of kidney weight. Additionally, Pb in serum was found to be the biomarker with the greatest difference between the control and the exposed groups, which converts it into the most sensitive biomarker in the present study.

The kidney is a major site of chemical excretion, which results in its propensity to exhibit chemically-induced toxicological effects at a higher rate than most other organs. Although the kidneys are often weighed in animal toxicity studies, the manner in which these kidney weight measurements are interpreted and the value of this information in predicting renal damage remains controversial. In this study we sought to determine whether a relationship exists between chemically-induced kidney weight changes and renal histopathological alterations. We also examined the relative utility of absolute and relative (kidney-to-body weight ratio) kidney weight in the prediction of renal toxicity. For this, data extracted from oral chemical exposure studies in rats performed by the National Toxicology Program were qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated. Our analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between absolute, but not relative, kidney weight and renal histopathology in chemically-treated rats. This positive correlation between absolute kidney weight and histopathology was observed even with compounds that statistically decreased terminal body weight. Also, changes in absolute kidney weight, which occurred at subchronic exposures, were able to predict the presence or absence of kidney histopathology at both subchronic and chronic exposures. Furthermore, most increases in absolute kidney weight reaching statistical significance (irrespective of the magnitude of change) were found to be relevant for the prediction of histopathological changes. Hence, our findings demonstrate that the evaluation of absolute kidney weight is a useful method for identifying potential renal toxicants.

Studies in the vicinities of copper smelters and in undisturbed areas of the Middle Urals have been performed to evaluate the effect of industrial pollution with heavy metals on macroand micromorphological parameters of kidneys (weight, weight index, the spectrum and frequency of histopathologies) in the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus Schreber, 1780) and on the accumulation of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in this organ. It has been found that the kidneys of voles from polluted areas accumulate considerable amounts of heavy metals, with their concentrations increasing with age and/or sexual maturation. The kidney weight, index, and the frequency and severity of the majority of observed nephropathies also increase upon change in the reproductiveage status of animals. These parameters show no dependence on the degree of industrial pollu� tion: at individual level, none of the heavy metals accumulated in the kidneys has produced any effect on the frequency and severity of nephropathies. These results contradict the prevailing opinion that toxicants play the determinant role in the development of nephropathies in small mammals inhabiting polluted areas. Therefore, the causes of nephropathies should be sought among other factors, not related to pollution.

In this study, the effects of sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrical) seed oil and yukdomok (Chionanthus retusa L.) seed oil intake on lipid levels of blood and organs in mice were compared with those of commercially available vegetable oils. In this study, the group treated with sponge gourd seed oil showed the highest final weight, kidney weight, and content of intra-abdominal fat. The group treated with sponge gourd seed oil showed the highest total cholesterol level of 171.75±27.15 mg/dL in the blood, whereas the group treated with yukdomok seed oil showed the highest triacylglycerol level of 234.00±50.52 mg/dL. Further, the group treated with sponge gourd seed oil showed a significantly higher HDL-cholesterol level of 142.75±16.32 mg/dL compared to the other groups (p