Search

Dietary betaine supplementation has been reported to alleviate the adverse effects of high‐carbohydrate diets on Megalobrama amblycephala, while the regulatory mechanism remains largely unknown. In the present study, a 79‐day feeding trial was conducted with 450 juvenile Megalobrama amblycephala (average weight 6.75 ± 0.10 g), which were fed with five high‐carbohydrate diets (43%) supplementing betaine at 0% (CD group), 0.2% (0.2Bet group), 0.4% (0.4Bet group), 0.8% (0.8Bet group), and 1.6% (1.6Bet group), respectively. Results showed M. amblycephala in 0.8Bet group exhibited the best growth performance, indicated by the largest weight gain ratio (142.88%) and least feed conversion ratio (1.63). Moreover, liver health was promoted in 0.8Bet group, with decreased number of non‐nucleated cells and less lipid accumulation, which was accompanied by the lowest hepatosomatic index (1.38%). In order to further illustrate the regulatory mechanism, metabolites assay indicated that dietary betaine supplementation significantly increased plasma contents of methionine, serine, hypotaurine, and taurine, but did not affect plasma contents of cystathionine, cystine, or cysteic acid. Accordingly, the mRNA expressions of cysteine sulfinate decarboxylase in cysteine sulfinic acid pathway and cysteamine dioxygenase (ADO) in sulfinic acid (CS) pathway, which were both involved in taurine synthesis, were also upregulated in the liver. Meanwhile, the microbial communities in M. amblycephala intestine were more stable and uniform with betaine supplementation. Therefore, dietary betaine supplementation may exert its protective roles in improving feed efficiency and liver health of M. amblycephala via promoting de novo taurine synthesis and stabilizing intestinal microbial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-dairy creamer is a class of microencapsulated powdered fats and oils that are widely used in the food industry. However, the oils used in it are hydrogenated vegetable oils, which contain large amounts of saturated fatty acids and are extremely harmful to the human body. This study investigated the effects of replacing hydrogenated vegetable oil with walnut oil to prepare walnut non-dairy creamer on lipid levels and intestinal microorganisms in mice. The results show that low-dose walnut non-dairy creamer significantly decreased the contents of TC and TG in serum and increased the content of HDL-C (p < 0.01). The contents of MDA, ALT, and AST were significantly decreased, while the content of SOD was increased (p < 0.01). The abundance of Firmicutes in the walnut non-dairy creamer group decreased, and the abundance of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes (B/F) increased, which significantly increased the richness of Lactobacillus and Oscillospira (p < 0.01). Allobaculum richness was significantly decreased (p < 0.01). In conclusion, a low dose of walnut non-dairy creamer can effectively promote the metabolism of blood lipids in vivo, alleviate oxidative stress injury and lipid accumulation damage to mouse hepatocytes, and ameliorate the adverse effects of a high-fat diet on the intestinal microbiota of mice. This study provides a theoretical basis for the replacement of traditional non-dairy creamer and the research and development of walnut deep processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pilot tends to have a high prevalence of dyslipidemia. The present study aimed to identify key factors of pilot hyperlipidemia through thorough analysis of physical examination data, and to provide pilot-targeted health guidance to manage hyperlipidemia risks. The physical examination data of 1,253 pilot inpatients from January 2019 to June 2022, were evaluated and divided into two groups based on whether or not the pilot had hyperlipidemia. A total of three multivariate analysis models including logistic model, multilevel model and boosting propensity score were applied to find the risk factors of pilot hyperlipidemia. In the group of pilots with hyperlipidemia, four risk factors, including thrombin time, carbohydrate antigen 199, lymphocyte count and rheumatoid factor, were significantly different from pilots without hyperlipidemia, which might be positively associated with the incidence of hyperlipidemia. In future studies regarding pilots, whether hyperlipidemia is connected to abnormalities in thrombin time, carbohydrate antigen 199 and rheumatoid factor should be further explored. Based on the findings of the present study, pilot health management should be more refined and personalized, and attention should be paid to the risk factors of hyperlipidemia including diet and lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using non-conventional protein sources of plant origin (guar meal) as a promising strategy for improving feed efficiency in Awassi sheep. This study included: (i) investigation of the nutrient intake and productive performance of lambs, (ii) appraisal nutrients digestibility and ruminal parameters (pH, N-H3 and volatile fatty acids), where experiment 1 used 18 Awassi lambs (age 2.5-3 months) distributed and assigned into three groups (randomly), and experiment 2 used nine lambs in randomized block design with three replicates. Three experimental concentrate diets were formulated to be isonitrogen (crud protein [CP] content 15.6%) and isoenergy (metabolic energy [ME] content 2.4 Mcal/kg). The results showed that the final body weight and dry matter intake (kg/day and g/kg of body weight) were not significantly affected (p = .05) despite the improvements occurring. In addition, the guar meal significance increased (p = .05) of average daily gain than total weight compared to the other experimental diets. The guar meal affected NH3 concentration (p = .037), total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) (p = .001), and molar proportions of acetate and propionate (p = .027). The molar proportions of valerate (p < .05) and caproate (p < .05) were significantly reduced when replacing traditional sources of protein. No difference (p > .05) in the dry matter, ether extract, and crude protein digestibility was observed among the three diets. In conclusion, guar meal could replace traditional conventional protein sources in ruminant diets with no adverse effects on feed intake, or digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown that sustained protein restriction can improve the effects of a high‐fat diet on health and extend lifespan. However, long‐term adherence to a protein‐restricted diet is challenging. Therefore, we used a fly model to investigate whether periodic protein restriction (PPR) could also mitigate the potential adverse effects of a high‐fat diet and extend healthy lifespan. Our study results showed that PPR reduced body weight, lipid levels, and oxidative stress induced by a high‐fat diet in flies and significantly extended the healthy lifespan of male flies. Lipid metabolism and transcriptome results revealed that the common differences between the PPR group and the control group and high‐fat group showed a significant decrease in palmitic acid in the PPR group; the enriched common differential pathways Toll and Imd were significantly inhibited in the PPR group. Further analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between palmitic acid levels and gene expression in the Toll and Imd pathways. This suggests that PPR effectively improves fruit fly lipid metabolism, reduces palmitic acid levels, and thereby suppresses the Toll and Imd pathways to extend the healthy lifespan of flies. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the long‐term effects of PPR on health and offers a new dietary adjustment option for maintaining health in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute liver injury (ALI), which is a type of inflammation-mediated hepatocellular injury, is a clinical syndrome that results from hepatocellular apoptosis and hemorrhagic necrosis. Apoptosis stimulating protein of p53-2 (ASPP2) is a proapoptotic member of the p53 binding protein family. However, the role of ASPP2 in the pathogenesis of ALI and its regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: The expression of ASPP2 were compared between liver biopsies derived from patients with CHB, patients with ALI, and normal controls. Acute liver injury was modelled in mice by administration of D-GalN/LPS. Liver injury was demonstrated by serum transaminases and histological assessment of liver sections. ASPP2-knockdown mice (ASPP2+/-) were used to determine its role in acute liver injury. Mouse bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) were isolated from wildtype and ASPP2+/- mice and stimulated with LPS, and the supernatant was collected to incubate with the primary hepatocytes. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were used to analyze the expression level of target. Results: The expression of ASPP2 was significantly upregulated in the liver tissue of ALI patients and acute liver injury mice. ASPP2+/- mice significantly relieved liver injury through reducing liver inflammation and decreasing hepatocyte apoptosis. Moreover, the conditioned medium (CM) of ASPP2+/- bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) protected hepatocytes against apoptosis. Mechanistically, we revealed that ASPP2 deficiency in BMMs specifically upregulated IL-6 through autophagy activation, which decreased the level of TNF-α to reduce hepatocytes apoptosis. Furthermore, up-regulation of ASPP2 sensitizes hepatocytes to TNF-α-induced apoptosis. Conclusion: Our novel findings show the critical role of ASPP2 in inflammatory immunoregulatory mechanism of ALI and provide a rationale to target ASPP2 as a refined therapeutic strategy to ameliorate acute liver injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Nanotechnology offers a unique opportunity to incorporate nanoparticles as alternative sources of trace minerals in animal diets. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of applying different concentrations of nano-Se on the growth performances, carcass features, serum components, and gene expressions in heat-stressed Japanese quails. The performance of heat-stressed quails was greatly enhanced by the addition of nano-Se, particularly at the level of 0.2 mg/kg of feed, which also repaired the blood oxidative state. The 0.2 nano-Se-exposed group showed a substantial downregulation of the IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-8 genes and an upregulation of the SOD and GPX genes in comparison to the heat stress group, indicating that nano-Se had an ameliorative effect on heat stress. It was determined that modest levels of nano-Se in growing heat-stressed quails yield the best results, and its supplementation can be viewed as a protective management strategy in Japanese quail diets to lessen the adverse effects of heat stress. Nano-minerals are employed to enhance mineral bioavailability thus promoting the growth and well-being of animals. In recent times, nano-selenium (nano-Se) has garnered significant attention within the scientific community owing to its potential advantages in the context of poultry. This study was conducted to explore the impact of using variable levels of nano-Se on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, serum constituents, and gene expression in growing Japanese quails under both thermoneutral and heat stress conditions. A randomized experimental design was used in a 2 × 3 factorial, with 2 environmental conditions (thermoneutral and heat stress) and 3 nano-Se levels (0, 0.2, and 0.5 mg/kg of diet. The findings revealed that heat stress negatively affected the growth and feed utilization of quails; indicated by the poor BWG and FCR. Additionally, oxidative stress was aggravated under heat stress condition; indicated by increased lipids peroxidation and decreased antioxidant enzymes activities. The addition of nano-Se, especially at the level of 0.2 mg/kg of diet, significantly improved the performance of heat stressed quails and restored blood oxidative status. The expression profile of inflammatory and antioxidant markers was modulated by heat stress and/or 0.2 and 0.5 nano-Se in conjunction with environmental temperature in quail groups. In comparison to the control group, the heat stress-exposed quails' expression profiles of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-8 showed a notable up-regulation. Significantly lower levels of the genes for IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-8 and higher levels of the genes for SOD and GPX as compared to the heat stress group demonstrated the ameliorative impact of 0.2 nano-Se. The expression profiles of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-8 are dramatically elevated in quails exposed to 0.5 nano-Se when compared to the control group. SOD and GPX markers, on the other hand, were markedly down-regulated. It was concluded that nano-Se by low level in heat stressed growing quails provides the greatest performance and its supplementation can be considered as a protective management practice in Japanese quail diets to reduce the negative impact of heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of an elemental diet (ED) for preventing adverse events (AEs) during chemotherapy for patients with esophageal cancer (EC) remains unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to comprehensively assess the efficacy of ED for preventing AE in EC patients during chemotherapy. Medline (via PubMed), Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched to retrieve prospective and randomized studies published before April 12, 2023. The odds ratio (OR) of each AE was calculated using Review Manger 5.4.1. The risk of bias was assessed, and a random effect model-based meta-analysis was used to analyze the available data. Four prospective and randomized studies involving 237 patients were identified after a systematic search. Regarding gastrointestinal toxicities, the findings indicated a trend toward a decrease in the risk of mucositis (OM) (OR = 0.54, 95 % CI: 0.25-1.14), constipation (OR = 0.87, 95 % CI: 0.49-1.53), and anorexia (OR = 0.99, 95 % CI: 0.32- 3.05), as well as an increasing trend in the risk of diarrhea (OR = 1.48, 95 % CI: 0.79-2.79), among patients treated with ED. However, none of these reached statistical significance. For hematological toxicities, the risk of all-grade neutropenia (OR = 0.28, 95 % CI: 0.14-0.57), grade = 2 leucopenia (OR = 0.43, 95 % CI: 0.22-0.84), grade = 2 neutropenia (OR = 0.34, 95 % CI: 0.17-0.67), and grade = 3 neutropenia (OR = 0.28, 95 % CI: 0.12-0.63) was significantly decreased. There is no firm evidence confirming the preventive effect of an ED against OM or diarrhea. However, an ED may potentially be helpful in preventing neutropenia and leucopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excess dietary sodium consumption is a leading risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In Nigeria, where over 27 million people are affected by hypertension, the average daily salt intake exceeds the World Health Organization's recommendation. The Nigeria Sodium Study (NaSS) was established to evaluate the implementation and scale-up of policy actions to reduce salt intake in Nigeria. Preliminary findings from the NaSS suggest that Nigerian adults consume twice the recommended level of daily sodium, with bouillon emerging as a major source. The study also highlights the importance of multi-sectoral engagement and high-quality data for evidence-informed policymaking. [Extracted from the article]

This study aimed to investigate the lipid-lowering activity of LFBEP-C1 in high glucose-fed Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). In this study, the fermented barley protein LFBEP-C1 was prepared and tested for its potential anti-obesity effects on C. elegans. The worms were fed Escherichia coli OP50 (E. coli OP50), glucose, and different concentrations of LFBEP-C1. Body size, lifespan, movement, triglyceride content, and gene expression were analyzed. The results were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test. Compared with the model group, the head-swing frequency of C. elegans in the group of LFBEP-C1 at 20 μg/mL increased by 33.88%, and the body-bending frequency increased by 27.09%. This indicated that LFBEP-C1 improved the locomotive ability of C. elegans. The average lifespan of C. elegans reached 13.55 days, and the body length and width of the C. elegans decreased after LFBEP-C1 intake. Additionally, LFBEP-C1 reduced the content of lipid accumulation and triglyceride levels. The expression levels of sbp-1 , daf-2 , and mdt-15 significantly decreased, while those of daf-16 , tph-1 , mod-1 , and ser-4 significantly increased after LFBEP-C1 intake. Changes in these genes explain the signaling pathways that regulate lipid metabolism. LFBEP-C1 significantly reduced lipid deposition in C. elegans fed a high-glucose diet and alleviated the adverse effects of a high-glucose diet on the development, lifespan, and exercise behavior of C. elegans. In addition, LFBEP-C1 regulated lipid metabolism mainly by mediating the expression of genes in the sterol regulatory element-binding protein, insulin, and 5-hydroxytryptamine signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality of life (QOL) in dogs with cancer is a key consideration in the assessment of cancer treatment options. Despite interest in dietary strategies to improve management of oncology patients, there have been very few clinical studies showing the impact of diet on adverse effects of chemotherapy in dogs. This study was a randomised, controlled, double‐blinded, multicenter clinical trial to investigate a high‐protein, increased‐fibre diet supplemented with omega‐3 fatty acids, for dogs with cancer undergoing standard‐of‐care chemotherapy. Client‐owned dogs with newly diagnosed grade 2 or higher mast cell tumours (or non‐resectable/incompletely resected tumours) or multicentric lymphoma were randomised to receive the test diet (n = 24) or control diet (n = 21) for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes were QOL assessments, faecal scores, and blood concentrations of C‐reactive protein and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1. Of 12 QOL parameters, 10 significantly improved from baseline to Week 8 in the test group compared with one in the control group. However, differences between the two groups were only statistically significant for 'frequency of signs of illness' (P =.009). There were no significant differences in the incidence of any adverse events, including gastrointestinal adverse events or clinically significant differences in laboratory parameters or faecal scores between the two groups. The absence of an observed negative impact of the test diet, combined with the magnitude of QOL improvements associated with the diet, suggest that a larger trial is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Using Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, our objective was to determine whether there was a causal association between dietary factors and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's esophagus (BE), or esophageal cancer (EC). Methods: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for eighteen types of dietary intake were obtained from the UK Biobank. GWAS data for GERD, BE, and EC were sourced from the FinnGen consortium. We performed univariable and multivariable MR analysis to assess the cause effect between dietary factors and esophageal diseases. MR results were expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Raw vegetable intake was associated with a lower risk of GERD (OR = 0.478; P = 0.011). On the contrary, cooked vegetable intake increased the risk of GERD (OR = 1.911; P = 0.024). Bread intake was associated with increased odds of BE (OR = 6.754; P = 0.007), while processed meat intake was associated with reduced risk of BE (OR = 0.210; P = 0.035). We also observed evidence that increased consumption of dried fruit (OR = 0.087; P = 0.022) and salt added to food (OR = 0.346; P = 0.045) could prevent EC. The results of multivariable MR showed that the protective effect of consumption of salt added to food on EC was no longer significant after adjusting for the consumption of dried fruit. Conclusion: Vegetable consumption was associated with GERD, whereas consumption of bread and processed meat was associated with BE. Dried fruit intake was associated with a lower risk of EC, and the protective effect of consumption of salt added food on EC may also be mediated by consumption of dried fruit. Future research should be performed to investigate the mechanisms behind these cause-and-effect relationships to reduce the burden of disease caused by dietary habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the effects of prenatal and postnatal dietary zinc (Zn) deficiency or supplementation on mammary gland morphology and on acute response to 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) in pubertal female rats. On gestational day 10 (GD 10), rat dams were allocated randomly into three experimental groups of 10: a Zn-adequate diet group (ZnA) fed 35 mg Zn/kg chow, a Zn-deficient diet group (ZnD) fed 3 mg ZN/kg chow and a Zn-supplemented diet group (ZnS) fed 180 mg Zn/kg chow. After weaning, female offspring were fed the same diet as their dams until postnatal day 53 (PND 53). All animals received a single 50 mg/kg dose of DMBA on PND 51 and were euthanized on PND 53. Female ZnD offspring exhibited significantly less weight gain compared to the ZnA group and reduced mammary gland development compared to the ZnD and ZnA groups. By PND 53, the Ki-67 labeling index in mammary gland epithelial cells was significantly greater for the ZnS group than for the ZnA and ZnD groups. Apoptosis and ER-α indices did not differ among groups. The ZnD group exhibited significantly increased lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels and decreased catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity compared to the ZnA and ZnS groups. The ZnS group exhibited significantly reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity compared to the ZnA and ZnS groups. We observed atypical ductal hyperplasia in the mammary gland of female ZnS group offspring compared to the ZnA and ZnD groups and decreased expression of the Api5 and Ercc1 genes related to apoptosis inhibition and DNA damage repair, respectively. Both the Zn-deficient and Zn-supplemented diet exerted adverse effects on offspring mammary gland morphology and acute response to DMBA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the results of the effectiveness of 13 therapeutic diets for autism spectrum disorder from 818 participants of a national survey, including benefits, adverse effects, and symptom improvements. The average Overall Benefit of diets was 2.36 (0 = no benefit, 4 = great benefit), which was substantially higher than for nutraceuticals (1.59/4.0) and psychiatric/seizure medications (1.39/4.0), p < 0.001. The average Overall Adverse Effects of diets was significantly lower than psychiatric/seizure medications (0.10 vs. 0.93, p < 0.001) and similar to nutraceuticals (0.16). Autism severity decreased slightly over time in participants who used diet vs. increasing slightly in those that did not (p < 0.001). Healthy and Feingold diets were the two top-rated diets by Overall Benefit; the ketogenic diet was the highest for nine symptoms (though had fewer respondents); and the gluten-free/casein-free diet was among the top for overall symptom improvements. Different diets were reported to affect different symptoms, suggesting that an individual's symptoms could be used to guide which diet(s) may be the most effective. The results suggest that therapeutic diets can be safe and effective interventions for improving some ASD-related symptoms with few adverse effects. We recommend therapeutic diets that include healthy foods and exclude problematic foods. Therapeutic diets are inexpensive treatments that we recommend for consideration by most people with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims to highlight the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal cow's milk protein allergy (GI-CMPA) in infants. GI-CMPA, a non-IgE-mediated allergic condition, can lead to symptoms such as frequent loose stools with mucus or blood, poor feeding, irritability and poor weight gain in infants. Management involves an exclusion diet, either for the breastfeeding mother or the infant, with guidance from an experienced pediatric dietitian.

Feed is the main source of material and energy for farmed fish, and its nutritional value and balance are important factors affecting fish's growth rate and physical health. In order to explore the effects of two different feed sources on the growth, serum biochemical indexes, liver antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism of young cobia fish, 300 young cobia fish with an initial body weight of 43.14 ± 1.25 g were selected for the experiment and randomly divided into two treatments. Each treatment had five replicates, and each replicate had 30 fish. They were fed with formulated feed and frozen fresh fish, respectively, for 12 weeks. The results showed that the weight gain rate, specific growth rate, and feed conversion rate of juvenile cobia fish fed with formulated diet were extremely significantly lower than those of the frozen fresh fish group (P < 0.01), and condition factor was significantly lower than that of the frozen fresh fish group (P < 0.05). However, protein efficiency rate, hepatosomatic index, and viscerosomatic index were significantly higher than those of frozen fresh fish group (P < 0.05). The content of water, crude protein, and crude ash in the whole fish had no significant difference (P > 0.05), while the content of crude lipid decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The serum aspartate aminotransferase activity and sugar content of cobia in the formulated diet group were significantly higher than those in the frozen fresh fish group (P < 0.05). In contrast, the total cholesterol, triglyceride content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and phosphorus content were significantly lower than those in the frozen fresh fish group (P < 0.05). Compared with the frozen fresh fish group, the antioxidant enzyme activities in the liver of the formulated diet group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) except malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of fatty acid synthase, while there was no significant difference in the malate dehydrogenase. The study showed that under the experimental conditions, frozen fresh fish was more suitable for feeding juvenile cobia, and the formulated diet had adverse effects on the liver of juvenile cobia. Therefore, the nutritional composition of frozen fresh fish and the metabolic characteristics of cobia were used for reference to optimize and adjust the nutritional formula of juvenile cobia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was investigated to compare the effects of thyme extract (Thymus vulgaris) on performance, ruminal fermentation, cellulase enzyme activity and microbial protein synthesis in fattening lambs and goat kids. For this purpose, 15 kids (average initial BW of 17.3±1.2 kg, 3 month-old) and 15 lambs (average initial BW of 21.4±1.5 kg, 3 month-old) were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatment: 1) control (without thyme extract), 2) supplemented with 250 mg thyme extract, 3) supplemented with 500 mg thyme extract. Animals were housed in individual pens for 84 days. Experimental results showed that different levels of thyme extract had a significant effect on daily weight gain and feed intake in both species, so that in animals fed 250 mg of thyme extract was higher than the other treatments (P<0.01). Rumen pH was not affected by experimental treatments. The lowest NH3-N was observed in the treatment containing 250 mg of thyme extract (P<0.01). The total concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA) as well as butyrate and acetate in ruminal fluid decreased significantly with increasing thyme extract; but propionate was increased in kids and lambs fed with 250 mg of thyme extract (P<0.01). Microbial protein produced in the rumen were significantly affected by experimental treatments (P<0.01). The activity of cellulolytic enzymes was not affected by the treatments. Our findings indicate that 250 mg thyme extract can be used in diet without adverse effect on lambs and kids. The lambs were also more affected by the thyme extract than the kids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To screen probiotic preparations that have good antibacterial effect and good probiotic characteristics, the experiment measured the in vitro antibacterial effect, growth curve, acid production ability, tolerance, and mouse safety of the isolated and identified Lentilactobacillus buchneri GXNN20210328-6 (Hereinafter referred to as GX0328-6) to evaluate its probiotic characteristics and safety. The result showed that GX0328-6 had bacteriostatic effect on Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, especially on Salmonella typhimurium; under pH=2.5 strong acid environment for 6 hours and 60 ℃ high temperature environment for 90 minutes, the viable count of GX0328-6 was above 1 × 106 CFU/mL, and it still maintained high activity; the survival rate was more than 50% (57.14%) at 0.5% high bile salt concentration for 2 hours; the safety test of mice showed that GX0328-6 had no adverse effect on diet, physiology and mental state of mice, and had no significant effect on body weight and immune organ index of mice (P>0.05). In addition, compared with the CON group mice, the LB group mice showed no damage to the liver and intestines, indicating that GX0328-6 is safe for mice. In summary, it is concluded that Lentilactobacillus buchneri GXNN20210328-6 has good probiotic characteristics and safety. This study can provide a theoretical basis for probiotics as feed additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Studies indicate a relationship between a high-fat diet (HFD) and sperm quality. However, the time-dependent adverse effects of a HFD on sperm parameters and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Objectives. The present study was designed to determine the effects of a HFD on sperm quality at various time points in order to assess whether a HFD causes cumulative damage to sperm. Materials and methods. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet (the ND group) or a HFD (the HFD group) for 16, 30 or 42 weeks (n = 6 for each group). Body weight, lipid profile, sperm parameters, testicular morphology, and testicular oxidative stress levels were evaluated alongside the proliferation, DNA damage and rate of germ cell apoptosis. Results. Sperm quality was reduced in HFD-fed animals in a time-dependent manner, which was demonstrated by a decline in sperm density, motility and progressive motility. Further analysis showed a progressive deterioration of the testicular histoarchitecture of HFD-fed mice, which was accompanied by a decrease in DEAD-box helicase 4 (DDX4) expression and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and gamma-H2A histone family member X (γ-H2AX) expression, and increased apoptosis of germ cells. Conclusions. These findings demonstrate that a HFD exerted adverse effects on sperm quality, and the deteriorating effect was progressive with long-term feeding. The inhibited proliferation and apoptosis of germ cells, and the increased oxidative stress levels and DNA damage may be the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of African star apple kernel meal (ASAKM) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and haemato-biochemical indices of growing rabbits were investigated. One hundred and twenty 35-d old crossbreed (New Zealand x California white) rabbits weighing 591.00±0.15 g were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments (24 rabbits per treatment; 6 rabbits per replicate) in a completely randomized design. Five experimental diets (pelleted; 3 mm diameter and 6 mm in length) were formulated such that ASAKM replaced dietary maize at 0 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 % in rabbit diets (Diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively). The study lasted for 56-d. At 35 to 65-d of age, the average body weight and average daily weight gain in rabbits fed diets 2 and 3 were similar (P>0.05) to those fed the control diet. Also, the feed conversion ratio in rabbits fed diets 1, 2 and 3 (3.27, 3.34 and 3.31 respectively) were superior (P<0.05) compared to rabbits fed diets 4 (5.06) and 5 (6.88). Within 35 to 91-d, rabbits fed diets 1, 2 and 3 gained weight more than those fed diets 4 and 5 (P<0.05). Also, feed conversion ratio of rabbits fed diets 2 and 3 (2.87 and 2.89 respectively) were similar (P>0.05) to the control diet (2.84). The crude protein and ether extract digestibility of rabbits fed diets 3, 4 and 5 decreased compared to those fed control diet (P<0.05). The dressing percentage of rabbits fed diets 2 and 3 (65.35 and 65.64 %) were similar (P>0.05) to those fed control diet (65.58%). At 91 d of age, the neutrophil level and aspartate aminotransferase concentration of rabbits fed diets 2, 3 and 4 decreased significantly (P<0.05) compared to those fed the control diet. It could be concluded that ASAKM can be used up to 50 % in growing rabbits' diets with no adverse effect on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and haemato-biochemical indices of the animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal infection and mycotoxins contamination in food and feed products cause significant economic losses to the food and agricultural industry. Although the efficacy of synthetic fungicides is unquestionable, there are serious issues associated with their application in agriculture. Improper and/or prolonged application of these products may cause the emergence of resistant fungal populations, carry-over of chemicals in the human diet and adverse effects on non-target species. By contrast, ease in application and negligible effects on the environment makes microbial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) safe and sustainable substitutes to synthetic fungicides. A considerable research investment has highlighted the efficacy and suitability of VOCs emitted by bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi for application in food crops and stored products. In this review, focus is made on the potential use of microbial VOCs as inhibitors of toxigenic food mycobiota and their mycotoxins. The mode of action of microbial volatile compounds, possible application in different scenarios, limitations and perspectives are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Western diets are rapidly spreading due to globalization, causing an increase in obesity and diseases of civilization. These Western diets are associated with changes in the gut microbiota related to intestinal inflammation. This review discusses the adverse effects of Western diets, which are high in fat and sugar and low in vegetable fiber, on the gut microbiota. This leads to gut dysbiosis and overgrowth of Candida albicans, which is a major cause of fungal infection worldwide. In addition to an unhealthy Western diet, other factors related to disease development and gut dysbiosis include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, prolonged use of antibiotics, and chronic psychological stress. This review suggests that a diversified diet containing vegetable fiber, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins D and E, as well as micronutrients associated with probiotic or prebiotic supplements can improve the biodiversity of the microbiota, lead to short-chain fatty acid production, and reduce the abundance of fungal species in the gut. The review also discusses a variety of foods and plants that are effective against fungal overgrowth and gut dysbiosis in traditional medicine. Overall, healthy diets and lifestyle factors contribute to human well-being and increase the biodiversity of the gut microbiota, which positively modulates the brain and central nervous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decades the use of low carb diets for weight loss and for the prevention and treatment of obesity has become popular. The Krebs cycle is the main metabolic pathway for oxidation processes involving macronutrients in animal tissue. The Krebs cycle depends on the Acetyl-CoA molecule to be initiated, a molecule generated, at first, in the processes of glycogenolysis and glycolysis. When carbohydrate deprivation occurs because of these types of diets, the activity of these two processes decreases and the body is forced to adopt two other metabolic processes for the generation of Acetyl-CoA, gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis. The present literature review aimed to describe these processes, as well as the effects of increasing their activity and their relationship with Krebs cycle activity. Materials and Methods: A search was performed in the PubMed database for scientific articles published from 2000 to 2022 using terms related to the theme. Conclusion: Low carb diets have adverse effects that require caution, in addition to contradicting the dietary recommendations proposed by health agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerosity effects have been investigated in the psychology and marketing literatures. While the effects are documented in outcomes including money and temperature judgments, the potential application and effects of numerosity for nutrition labeling remain unexplored. In this work, we propose that vigilance offers one circumstance when individuals might succumb to numerosity effects. Within the context of nutrition labeling, we propose that the increased vigilance that people with diet‐sensitive illnesses have for specific nutrients on nutrition labels, counter‐intuitively, exacerbates the numerosity effect. We demonstrate that those with diabetes and those with hypertension, for example, are more vigilant for information on nutrition labels relevant to their condition, sugar, and salt, and this greater vigilance counterintuitively leads them to exhibit greater numerosity effects for those nutrients, influencing their food perceptions. As an illustration, we find that a person with hypertension would consider a food product with, say, 3 g of sodium to have less sodium content and be more healthful than one with 3000 mg, although the quantities are equivalent. Our research highlights to policymakers that a "one‐size‐fits‐all" solution for nutrition labeling is not appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ketogenic diet has emerged as a therapeutic intervention for refractory seizures in infants, but its efficacy and safety in neonates are not well established. We present the case of a small for gestational age newborn who was admitted to the neonatal department at 8 hours of age for hypoglycemia. On admission, he began to have seizures, and despite escalation of antiepileptic drug treatment, they still persisted. As a consecuence, the ketogenic diet was started at 14 days of age. While this treatment improved seizure control, the patient developed significant jaundice and cholestasis 15 days after starting the ketogenic diet. Despite treatment, cholestasis persisted, and the ketogenic diet was discontinued at 46 days of age. This case highlights the importance of vigilant monitoring for potential adverse effects of the ketogenic diet in neonates, underlines the infrequency of cholestasis as a significant complication, and emphasises the need for close monitoring of liver function in neonates undergoing ketogenic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years Brazil has become one of the largest agricultural producers and exporters in the world. At the same time, there was a significant increase in the use of pesticides to increase productivity at harvest. In this context, there is great concern about human health, fauna, and flora, since the inputs can go through different chemical processes and migrate through various environmental compartments. In this context, this paper addresses a review of studies that have reported the presence of pesticides in various environmental compartments such as water (surface and irrigation), soil, and food. The detected concentrations, Maximum Residue Limit (MRL), current legislation, and the values of Estimated Daily Intake (ADI) or Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) are presented. In general, it was observed that DDTs and their metabolites were reported at concentrations beyond the MRL, followed by atrazine. Regarding intake estimates, there is a greater concern with children as they are more vulnerable, due to their low body weight when compared to adults. Finally, studies that consider the cumulative effect are needed to better assess the different chemical components in the human diet and the potential adverse effects on the health of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: considering the benefits of cinnamon consumption, the objective was to evaluate the action of crude extracts of the leaf and bark of the cinnamon stem (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) on biochemical parameters and histological, morphometric, and stereological aspects of the liver of obese rats. Methods: thirty male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: normonourished and obese. The normonourished received standard diet and the obese group received hypercaloric diet, from the 21st to the 120th day of life. After 99 days of diet intake, the rats were divided into six subgroups and treated with extracts by gavage for 21 days at a dose of 200 mg/kg. At the end of the treatment, the animals were euthanized, the blood collected for biochemical measurements and the liver tissue for histological, morphometric, and stereological analysis. Results: cinnamon extracts improved the plasma triglyceride profile, reduced blood glucose levels, reduced AST levels, and decreased the volume of the middle lobe of the liver of obese rats. In the histological analysis, it was observed that the extracts acted by reducing the hepatic steatosis. Conclusion: the results found demonstrate that the dose and time of use of cinnamon extract can reverse some adverse effects of an obesogenic diet and, consequently, the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, these findings should be continued with complementary studies, such as the isolation of specific substances from the extracts, diversified doses, and longer usage times for better use of raw cinnamon extracts in the prevention and development of NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural residues can be used as alternative feed sources in industrial chicken production. The impacts of different levels of pomegranate peel and waste cooking oil as an agricultural residue on broilers' nutrition were investigated. Results showed that the replacement of 8% pomegranate peel in diets decreased the growth performance of broilers. Supplementing 8% pomegranate peel in diets reduced apparent nutrient digestibility. The highest level of waste oil inclusion in broiler diets indicated negative impacts on apparent zmetabolizable energy and crude fat apparent nutrients digestibility. Broilers fed the diet containing 4% pomegranate peel had a higher Lactobacillus population. The results showed that the Lactobacillus population was lower in broilers fed 8% pomegranate peel powder and 4% waste oil in diets. The inclusion of 8% pomegranate peel powder in diets showed lower villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The inclusion of 4% pomegranate peel decreased the peroxide value (PV) of meat. Dietary inclusion of 4% waste oil raised the PV of meat. Alpha-tocopherol supplementation decreased the PV of meat. Finally, the results provide information that 4% of pomegranate peel and 4% waste oil could be used as an alternative feed ingredient in broiler diets without adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Researchers are currently debating whether theories of addiction explain compulsive overeating of highly processed (HP) foods (i.e., industrially created foods high in refined carbohydrates and/or fat), which contributes to obesity and diet‐related disease. A subset of individuals consumes HP foods with behavioral phenotypes that mirror substance use disorders. Withdrawal, the emergence of aversive physical and psychological symptoms upon reduction or cessation of substance use, is a core component of addiction that was central to historical debates about other substances' addictive potential (e.g., nicotine and cocaine). However, no one has systematically considered evidence for whether HP foods cause withdrawal, which represents a key knowledge gap regarding the utility of addiction models for understanding compulsive overeating. Thus, we reviewed evidence for whether animals and humans exhibit withdrawal when reducing or eliminating HP food intake. Controlled experimental evidence indicates animals experience HP food withdrawal marked by neural reward changes and behaviors consistent with withdrawal from other addictive substances. In humans, preliminary evidence supports subjective withdrawal‐like experiences. However, most current human research is limited to retrospective recall. Further experimental research is needed to evaluate this construct. We outline future research directions to investigate HP food withdrawal in humans and consider potential clinical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with graded levels of morula kernel cake (MKC) on growth performance and haemo-biochemical parameters in broiler chickens were studied. Four isonitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were formulated by replacing the SBM component at 0, 40, 80 and 120 g/kg with MKC as protein source in grower and finisher diets. One hundred and sixty 2-week-old chicks were randomly allocated to the treatments, which were replicated five times (eight birds/pen). Growth performance and blood parameters were measured. Results showed that neither linear nor quadratic trends were observed for weekly feed intake (WFI), weekly weight gain (WWG), weekly feed conversion ratio (WFCR), and growth performance with MKC levels. However, packed cell volume (PCV) quadratically decreased (Y=37.4±1.2+1.4±0.5+0.13±0.03X²; R2=0.39; p=0.005) with MKC levels, heterophils increased (y=50.9±1.8+1.18±0.73x; R2=0.35, p=0.009) while lymphocytes decreased linearly (y=40.7±1.67-1.42±0.67x; R2=0.35, p=0.02) with MKC levels. There was a linear decrease (Y=0.81±0.02-0.01±0.01x; R2=0.2895; p=0.02) in magnesium while phosphorus increased quadratically with MKC levels. Quadratic trends (Y=17.2±0.6+0.7±0.2+0.04±0.02X²; R2=0.47; p=0.05) were also observed in iron as MKC levels increased. All the parameters of blood biochemistry fell within the normal range for birds. The present results indicate that inclusion of MKC up to 120 g/kg does not result in adverse effects on diet utilisation, growth performance, and health status of Ross 308 broiler chickens, indicating that MKC has the potential to be used as an alternative protein source to SBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are globally recognized as emerging environmental pollutants in various environmental media, posing potential threats to ecosystems and human health. MPs/NPs are unavoidably ingested by humans, mainly through contaminated food and drinks, impairing the gastrointestinal ecology and seriously impacting the human body. The specific role of gut microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract upon MP/NP exposure remains unknown. Given the importance of gut microbiota in metabolism, immunity, and homeostasis, this review aims to enhance our current understanding of the role of gut microbiota in MP/NP-induced toxicity. First, it discusses human exposure to MPs/NPs through the diet and MP/NP-induced adverse effects on the respiratory, digestive, neural, urinary, reproductive, and immune systems. Second, it elucidates the complex interactions between the gut microbiota and MPs/NPs. MPs/NPs can disrupt gut microbiota homeostasis, while the gut microbiota can degrade MPs/NPs. Third, it reveals the role of the gut microbiota in MP/NP-mediated systematic toxicity. MPs/NPs cause direct intestinal toxicity and indirect toxicity in other organ s via regulating the gut–brain, gut–liver, and gut–lung axes. Finally, novel approaches such as dietary interventions, prebiotics, probiotics, polyphenols, engineered bacteria, microalgae, and micro/nanorobots are recommended to reduce MP/NP toxicity in humans. Overall, this review provides a theoretical basis for targeting the gut microbiota to study MP/NP toxicity and develop novel strategies for its mitigation. [Display omitted] • Humans are primarily exposed to microplastics/nanoplastics through their diet. • Complex interactions exist between the gut microbiota and microplastics/nanoplastics. • Microplastics/nanoplastics cause toxicity via regulating the gut–X axes. • Novel approaches are recommended to reduce microplastic/nanoplastic toxicity in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential adverse effects of plant-based diets on bone health have raised significant concern, while the prospective evidence is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the association between plant-based diet indexes and incident osteoporosis while exploring the underlying mechanisms involved in this relationship. The analysis included 202,063 UK Biobank participants conducted between 2006 and 2022. Plant-based diet indexes (hPDI and uPDI) were calculated using the 24-h dietary questionnaire. Cox proportional risk regression and mediation analysis were used to explore the associations of plant-based diet indexes with osteoporosis, estimating the contribution of BMI and blood markers. We found the highest quintile for hPDI (HR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.28) and uPDI (HR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.26) were associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. BMI was identified as an important mediator in the association between hPDI and osteoporosis, with mediation proportions of 46.17%. For blood markers, the mediating (suppressing) effects of C-reactive protein, alkaline phosphatase, and insulin-like growth factor-1 on the association between uPDI (hPDI) and osteoporosis were significant, ranging from 5.63%–16.87% (4.57%–6.22%). Adherence to a plant-based diet is associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis, with BMI and blood markers potentially contributing to this relationship. Notably, even a healthy plant-based diet necessitates attention to weight management to mitigate its impact on bone loss. These findings emphasize the importance of personalized dietary recommendations and lifestyle interventions to decrease the risk of osteoporosis. • Association between plant-based diets and osteoporosis were assessed in UK Biobank. • Higher adherence to plant-based diets was linked to increased osteoporosis risk. • BMI and blood markers (CRP, ALP, IGF-1) were identified as critical mediators. • Eight individual foods were significantly associated with risk of osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, grass carp (33.28 ± 0.05 g) were fed three diets for 8 weeks: control (crude protein [CP] 30%, crude lipid [CL] 6%), low protein (LP; CP16%, CL6%), and low protein with high-fat (LPHF; CP16%, CL10%). The final body weight decreased in the LP and LPHF groups compared to the Control (P < 0.05). Liver triglycerides, total cholesterol, and nonesterified fatty acids were higher in the LP group than the Control, whereas these indexes in the LPHF group were higher than those in the LP group (P < 0.05). The LP group had intestinal barrier damage, while the LPHF group had a slight recovery. TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-1β content were lower in the LP group than in the Control (P < 0.05), and even higher in the LPHF group (P < 0.05). The expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes Activating transcription factor 6 (ATF-6) and Glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) were higher in the LPHF group against the LP group (P < 0.05). The IL-1β and TNF-α content negatively correlated with intestinal Actinomycetes and Mycobacterium abundance (P < 0.05). The muscle fiber diameter was smaller in both the LP and LPHF groups than the control (P < 0.05), with the LP group showing metabolites related to protein digestion and absorption, and LPHF group exhibiting metabolites related to taste transmission. The results demonstrate reducing dietary protein affects growth, causing liver lipid accumulation, reduced enteritis response, and increased muscle tightness, while increasing fat content accelerates fat accumulation and inflammation. [Display omitted] • The study highlights the challenge of protein resource shortage in the aquaculture industry. • Feeding low protein diet had adverse effects on grass carp growth and increased liver lipid accumulation. • The low-protein diet reduced gut inflammation and increased muscle tightness. • Increasing fat in the low-protein diet did not significantly improve growth and muscle quality. • Increasing fat in low-protein diet accelerated fat accumulation and increased gut inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of maternal obesity is increasing at an alarming rate, with maternal insufficient circulating adiponectin being identified as a crucial link to offspring metabolic disorders. Nutritional interventions during pregnancy have shown promise in mitigating the negative impacts of maternal obesity on offspring health. It is recommended that pregnant women with chronic metabolic diseases increase their consumption of whole grains such as brown rice. However, the specific mechanism through which brown rice consumption by obese pregnant women improves metabolic homeostasis in their offspring remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of a brown rice diet during pregnancy on the metabolic homeostasis of offspring exposed to maternal obesity. We found that the systemic energy metabolism homeostasis and the risk of obesity induced by high-fat diet (HFD) in the offspring of obese mothers were altered by the maternal brown rice diet during pregnancy, including reducing systemic and hepatic lipid levels, improving insulin resistance, and protecting hepatic steatosis. Mechanistically, the maternal brown rice diet induced DNA methylation reprogramming in the livers of offspring mice, resulting in enhanced demethylation of the adiponectin receptor AdipoR2 and increased transcription of AdipoR2 mRNA. Adiponectin binding to AdipoR2, regulated hepatic lipid metabolism through AMPKα and PPARα-mediated pathways, effectively ameliorating metabolic disorders in offspring of obese mothers. Our study provides novel insights into combating obesity risk and lays the groundwork for further exploration of the physiological benefits of whole grain brown rice. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of restaurant residuals (RR) on blood parameters, intestinal morphology, eggs characteristics and performance of layers Japanese quails. This experiment included 300 layers Japanese quails (age 10-18 weeks) arranged in 5 treatments, 4 replicates and 15 quails in each in a completely randomized design. The treatments consist of control diet (cornsoybean meal) and supplementation of control diet by 5, 10, 15 and 20% RR, respectively. Feed intake was significantly higher by 5% RR than 20% RR treatment (P<0.05). Egg weight was increased by receiving 20% RR compared with control group (P<0.05). Also, yolk weight of treatments containing 10, 15 and 20% of the RR were significantly higher than control (P<0.05). The serum cholesterol concentration of control group was significantly higher than 5, 10 and 15% RR-fed groups (P<0.05). However, quail egg yolk cholesterol increased significantly by treatments 15 and 20% RR. At the end of the experiment, intestinal contents viscosity was significantly higher by 10 and 15% RR group than control. Based on this study, RR could be replaced by some parts of the quail diet without adverse effects on egg quantity and quality with reducing effect on the diet cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of L-arginine (Arg) and L-citrulline (Cit) supplementations in an Arg-deficient reduced-protein diet on tibia morphology and mineral composition were investigated in broilers maintained at the thermo-neutral (NT) and cyclic warm temperature (WT). Seven hundred and twenty Ross 308 male broilers were brooded together for the first 7 days and randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with 12 replicates of 15 birds each from days 8 to 35. The dietary treatments were standard protein diet (SP) with 22.3% and 20.9% crude protein in grower and finisher, respectively, an Arg-deficient reduced-protein diet with 2.5% lower protein (RP), and RP added with Arg (RP-Arg) or Cit (RP-Cit) at 0.28%. Dietary treatments were fed from day 8 with average bird's body weights of 177±3.25 g. Cyclic warm temperature (33 °C ± 1 °C for 6 h per day) was applied in one of the climate-controlled rooms during the finisher phase (21 to 35 day), resulting in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments with the factors were the dietary treatment and temperature. Birds fed the RP diet had lower tibia breaking strength (day 28), ash (day 35), and diameter (days 21 and 28) compared to those offered the SP diet (p<0.05). Birds fed the RP diet had lower serum K and tibia B and higher tibia Mn level on day 21; higher serum Ca, P, and Mg, and lower tibia B level on day 28 compared to the SP-fed birds (p<0.05). Supplementation with Arg or Cit compensated for the adverse effects of the RP diet on these traits (p<0.05). Interactions showed tibia diameter decreased in birds fed the SP diet compared to the RP and RP-Cit diets only when raised under cyclic WT on day 35 (p<0.05). Thus, supplementation of Arg or Cit to the RP diet was necessary to support bone morphology and mineralisation under normal and warm temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Profitability of mink farming depends mainly on the reproductive performance of female animals. Many dietary practices applied previously, to improve health and productivity of mink. Spirulina platensis is a natural dietary supplement, widely used both for human and animal consumption. In previous studies, in many animal species, Spirulina platensis supplementation improved reproductive characteristics. To our knowledge, inclusion of Spirulina in a mink's diet has not yet been adequately studied. To address this dearth of knowledge, we investigated the effect of dietary inclusion of Spirulina platensis on the reproductive performance of female mink from pre-mating season until kit weaning. A tendency for a higher whelping rate was detected in Spirulina platensis treated animals, while a significant increase in their body weight during pre-mating season was observed. Finally, Spirulina platensis treated animals lost significantly more body weight during late lactation, but without an adverse effect on their or their kit's survival. Overall, it can be suggested that Spirulina platensis can be used in female mink diets without adverse effects. However, since in the present study only a single dose was used, further studies are required to investigate the effects of higher levels of supplementation. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of providing Spirulina platensis (Spirulina) on reproductive performance of female mink. A total of 100 adult brown female mink (Mustela vison) were randomly and equally allocated to control group (C group), in which mink were fed basal diet and Spirulina group (Sp group), where mink received basal diet supplemented with 100 mg of Spirulina/kg of body weight. The experiment lasted 5 months, starting from 1 month prior to mating till kit weaning. Weight gain during pre-mating period was higher in Sp group compared to C group (p < 0.001). Sp group remained heavier until the onset of lactation. Subsequently, mink of Sp group lost more weight than C group (p < 0.001) but without an adverse effect on kit survival. A tendency for a higher whelping rate was detected in Sp group (93.61%) compared to C group (81.25%) (p = 0.07). Litter size, as well as weight of kits at weaning, did not differ between groups (p > 0.10). Finally, Sp group weaned numerically more kits compared to C group. Results obtained here showed that Spirulina treated animals tended to an increased whelping rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sedentary lifestyle and high fructose dietary habits cause diseases, such as metabolic syndrome (MS). The study was aimed to investigate the potential ameliorative effects of different exercise interventions on high fructose‐induced MS‐mediated reproductive system disruption of male rats. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): Control, MS, MS+aerobic exercise (AE) and MS+anaerobic exercise (ANE). MS was induced by using tap water containing 30% fructose for 8 weeks. After the induction of MS, AE/ANE implementations were started for 6 weeks. Testis tissue and serum samples of rats were stored for biochemical and molecular analyses. Serum total antioxidant status level increased in the MS+AE group compared to all groups. Also, serum total oxidant status level, which increased by MS, decreased with AE, but not altered with ANE. Moreover, MS markedly decreased serum luteinizing hormone, but not changed the follicle‐stimulating hormone. However, serum hormone levels were similar to the control group in both MS+AE and MS+ANE groups. MS upregulated mitochondria‐related genes' mRNA expressions (MFN2, PGC1A, PPARG, PARP2 and TXNL4B). These increases, except for PPARG, were normalized with both exercise types. These results revealed that mitochondria‐related genes may have a crucial role in MS‐mediated male reproductive impairment and therapeutic effects of exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]