Effect of Natural Chinese Herbal Supplements (TCMF4) on Lactation Performance and Serum Biomarkers in Peripartal Dairy Cows

This study examined the effect of mixed medicinal herbs from China in the ground form on milk yield and various blood metabolites before and after parturition in Holstein cows. Crushed Agastache rugosus, Scutellaria barbata, Pericarpium citri reticulate, and Radix glycyrrhizae were used to develop TCMF4. Thirty-two Chinese Holstein cows were randomly divided into a control group or groups receiving 0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 kg TCMF4/cow/d from −7 through 21 d relative to parturition. Blood samples for serum isolation were collected at −7, −1, 1, 7, 14, and 21 d relative to parturition and used to measure glucose, β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), total protein, albumin, globulin, and alkaline phosphatase. Milk production was recorded daily for the first 21 d postpartum, and composition was analyzed at 7, 14, and 21 d. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for multiple comparisons. The average milk production during the first 21-d postpartum was 28.7 ± 6.9, 27.2 ± 7.1, 31.2 ± 6.8, and 38.5 ± 6.1 kg/d for control group and groups receiving 0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 kg TCMF4. Thus, average daily milk production increased between 9 to 34% by supplementation with TCMF4 compared with the control group. Compared with the control group, in the middle dose group, milk concentrations of lactose and total protein decreased by 21 and 19%, respectively, at d 7 around parturition, while total solids increased by 23% at d 21 in the high-dose group. Furthermore, compared with the control group, serum BHBA decreased by 50 and 20% at d −1 and 21 around parturition in the high-dose group. Overall, TCMF4 supplementation improved dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production of dairy cows during the periparturient period without adverse effects on liver function, and plasma BHBA concentrations of dairy cows tended to decrease when dietary TCMF4 increased, which suggested that TCMF4 might be used as potential additives in dairy cows to improve production performance.

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Newly Developed Recombinant Antithrombin Protects the Endothelial Glycocalyx in an Endotoxin-Induced Rat Model of Sepsis

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22010176 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 176

Author(s):

Toshiaki Iba ◽

Jerrold H. Levy ◽

Koichiro Aihara ◽

Katsuhiko Kadota ◽

Hiroshi Tanaka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dose Group ◽

Low Dose ◽

Leukocyte Adhesion ◽

Endothelial Glycocalyx ◽

High Dose Group ◽

Control Group ◽

High Dose ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Circulating Levels

(1) Background: The endothelial glycocalyx is a primary target during the early phase of sepsis. We previously reported a newly developed recombinant non-fucosylated antithrombin has protective effects in vitro. We further evaluated the effects of this recombinant antithrombin on the glycocalyx damage in an animal model of sepsis. (2) Methods: Following endotoxin injection, in Wistar rats, circulating levels of hyaluronan, syndecan-1 and other biomarkers were evaluated in low-dose or high-dose recombinant antithrombin-treated animals and a control group (n = 7 per group). Leukocyte adhesion and blood flow were evaluated with intravital microscopy. The glycocalyx was also examined using side-stream dark-field imaging. (3) Results: The activation of coagulation was inhibited by recombinant antithrombin, leukocyte adhesion was significantly decreased, and flow was better maintained in the high-dose group (both p < 0.05). Circulating levels of syndecan-1 (p < 0.01, high-dose group) and hyaluronan (p < 0.05, low-dose group; p < 0.01, high-dose group) were significantly reduced by recombinant antithrombin treatment. Increases in lactate and decreases in albumin levels were significantly attenuated in the high-dose group (p < 0.05, respectively). The glycocalyx thickness was reduced over time in control animals, but the derangement was attenuated and microvascular perfusion was better maintained in the high-dose group recombinant antithrombin group (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Recombinant antithrombin maintained vascular integrity and the microcirculation by preserving the glycocalyx in this sepsis model, effects that were more prominent with high-dose therapy.

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Effect of the claw disorders on production performance in dairy cattle

Acta Agraria Debreceniensis ◽

10.34101/actaagrar/67/1745 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 15-19

Author(s):

Michal Vlček ◽

Radovan Kasarda

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Production Performance ◽

Holstein Cows ◽

Production Traits ◽

Digital Dermatitis ◽

Interdigital Dermatitis ◽

Holstein Dairy Cows

The aim of the study was the influence of claw disorders on production traits in dairy cattle. Observed were claw traits as claw angle, claw length, heel index, claw height, claw diagonal and claw width. Right hind claw after functional trimming was evaluated. Occurrence of claw disorders like interdigital dermatitis and heel erosion (IDHE), digital dermatitis (DD) and sole ulcer (SV) as well as the progress of disease were observed. Basic summary and variation statistics was performed by the SAS software. Two herds were included in the study. Holstein dairy cows (n=101) produced 11 875 kg of milk, 468 kg (3.94%) of fat and 396 kg (3.34%) of proteins. Holstein cows were affected with IDHE in 22 cases, with DD in 6 cases and with sole ulcer in 10 cases. Slovak Simmental dairy cows (n=101) produced 5834 kg of milk, 258 kg (4.44%) of fat and 209 kg (3.59%) of proteins. Slovak Simmental cows were affected with IDHE in 8 cases, with DD in 5 cases and with sole ulcer in 19 cases. Observed was that claw disorders caused deviations of milk production.

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Effect of High or Low Dose Phenoxybenzamine on Per-Operative Hemodynamics in Pheochromocytoma

10.21203/rs.3.rs-78802/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Randi Ugleholdt ◽

Åse Krogh Rasmussen ◽

Pernille Agnete Heldager Haderslev ◽

Bjarne Kromann-Andersen ◽

Claus Larsen Feltoft

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Dose Regimen ◽

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy ◽

Dose Group ◽

Low Dose ◽

High Dose Group ◽

Control Group ◽

High Dose ◽

Intravenous Fluids ◽

Preoperative Treatment

Abstract Background. Alpha-receptor blockade is the mainstay in preoperative treatment of patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). However, evidence regarding optimal dosage regimen is lacking. This study compares the per- and postoperative hemodynamics in patients pre-treated with a high or low dose of phenoxybenzamine. Methods. 30 consecutive patients with PPGL undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy were identified retrospectively. All were pretreated with phenoxybenzamine but at two separate endocrine departments aiming at different blood pressure target. End-dosage of phenoxybenzamine differed significantly between departments with 14 patients receiving a high dose regimen and 16 a low dose regimen. As a control group, we included 42 patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy for other reasons. Primary purpose was to compare per- and postoperative hemodynamics in the high and low dose groups. Secondly, to compare these endpoints to the control group. Results. Baseline characteristics did not differ between the phenoxybenzamine treated groups. The high dose group had less intra-operative systolic and diastolic blood pressure fluctuation (p = 0.03) and less periods with heart rate above 100 bpm (p = 0.04) as compared to the low dose group. Use of intravenous fluids were similar between the two groups. However, postoperatively, more intravenous fluids were administered in the high dose group. Overall, the control group was more hemodynamic stable as compared to either group treated for PPGL. Conclusions. High dose phenoxybenzamine improves per-operative hemodynamic stability but causes a higher postoperative requirement for intravenous fluids. Overall, PPGL surgery is related to greater hemodynamic instability compared to adrenalectomy for other reasons.

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Cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor (JTT-705) and the development of atherosclerosis in rabbits with severe hypercholesterolaemia

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs1030587 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 103 (6) ◽

pp. 587-594 ◽

Cited By ~ 87

Author(s):

Zhiping HUANG ◽

Akihiro INAZU ◽

Atsushi NOHARA ◽

Toshinori HIGASHIKATA ◽

Hiroshi MABUCHI

Keyword(s):

Cholesteryl Ester ◽

Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein ◽

Dose Group ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

High Dose Group ◽

Control Group ◽

High Dose ◽

Low Density ◽

Transfer Protein

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is a major determinant of plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in humans. The anti-atherogenic effect of lowering CETP levels is dependent not only on HDL-C levels but also on a metabolic background of increased low-density lipoprotein or very-low-density lipoprotein. Here we investigated the effects of JTT-705, a chemical inhibitor of CETP, on the development of atherosclerosis in Japanese white rabbits fed on a high cholesterol diet. After 4 weeks on a diet of 0.25% cholesterol-containing chow, 100mg/kg (low dose) or 300mg/kg (high dose) JTT-705 was given, and the animals were monitored at weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12. Aortic atherosclerotic lesions were determined at the end of this period. JTT-705 induced a significant increase in HDL-C in the high-dose group [from 21±3 to 50±7mg/dl (mean±S.E.M.); P<0.0001] compared with the control group (from 21±2 to 27±2mg/dl). The atheromatous area was 60±9% in the high-dose group and 58±9% in the control group. Moreover, correlation analysis showed that triacylglycerol and non-HDL-C levels had a direct relationship with the development of atherosclerosis, but CETP activity and HDL-C levels did not. Thus the CETP inhibitor JTT-705 alone did not have an anti-atherogenic effect in our rabbit model, of severe hypercholesterolaemia suggesting a relatively minor effect of HDL-elevating therapy as compared with decreases in non-HDL-C (or triacylglycerol) levels in patients with severe hypercholesterolaemia, such as familial hypercholesterolaemia.

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Use of condensed molasses fermentation solubles as an alternative source of concentrates in dairy cows

Animal Bioscience ◽

10.5713/ajas.19.0844 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 205-212

Author(s):

Jian Ma ◽

Chen Ma ◽

Xue Fan ◽

Ali Mujtaba Shah ◽

Jiang Mao

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Immunoglobulin M ◽

Production Performance ◽

Control Group ◽

Microbial Protein ◽

Lactation Performance ◽

Alternative Source ◽

Lactating Cows

Objective: The purpose of present study was to investigate the effects of condensed molasses fermentation solubles (CMS) on lactation performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and serum parameters of dairy cows.Methods: A total of 75 healthy Holstein cows with the same parity (milk production = 35±2.5 kg, body weight = 570±28 kg) were randomly selected and divided into 5 groups. One group served as control group (CON; no CMS), whereas the other 4 groups were CMS1 (accounted for 1% of the diet), CMS2 (2%), CMS3 (3%), and CMS4 (4%). All cows were fed regularly three times each day at 0800, 1600, and 2400 h. Cows received diet and water <i>ad libitum</i>. The experiment lasted for 60 days.Results: Results showed that the dry matter intake, milk yield, and protein of CMS2 were maximum and higher (p<0.05) than CMS4. The ruminal pH was observed less than 6 in CMS3 and CMS4 groups. No noticeable difference of microbial protein was found between CON and CMS2 groups, while the microbial protein in these groups was higher (p<0.05) than CMS3 and CMS4 groups. The apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein in CMS2 group was higher (p<0.05) than CMS3 and CMS4 groups. Compared to CMS3 and CMS4 groups, the CMS2 group increased (p<0.05) the serum concentrations of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M on d 60.Conclusion: Therefore, it is practicable that CMS substitutes for a part of concentrates in lactating cows’ diets, but higher addition of CMS (more than 3% of the diet) could decrease production performance of dairy cows as seen in the present study.

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Hypoglycemic Properties of Oxovanadium (IV) Coordination Compounds with Carboxymethyl-Carrageenan and Carboxymethyl-Chitosan in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2011/691067 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Hongyu Zhang ◽

Yuetao Yi ◽

Dawei Feng ◽

Yipeng Wang ◽

Song Qin

Keyword(s):

Dose Group ◽

Positive Control ◽

Carboxymethyl Chitosan ◽

High Dose Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Oral Glucose ◽

High Dose ◽

Intragastric Administration ◽

Diabetic Mice ◽

Model Control

In order to avoid low absorption, incorporation, and undesirable side effects of inorganic oxovanadium compounds, the antidiabetic activities of organic oxovanadium (IV) compounds in alloxan-induced diabetic mice were investigated. Vanadyl carboxymethyl carrageenan (VOCCA) and vanadyl carboxymethyl chitosan (VOCCH) were synthesized and administrated through intragastric administration in different doses for 20 days in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Glibenclamide was administrated as the positive control. Our results showed that low-dose group, middle-dose group, and high-dose group of VOCCA and VOCCH could significantly reduce the levels of blood glucose (P<0.05) compared with untreated group, but not in normal mice. Besides, high-dose groups of VOCCA and VOCCH exhibited more significant hypoglycemic activities (P<0.01). After treated with VOCCH, the oral glucose tolerance of high-dose group of VOCCH was improved compared with model control group (P<0.05).

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Influence of nonylphenol exposure on basic growth, development, and thyroid tissue structure in F1 male rats

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.7039 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. e7039

Author(s):

Lin Wang ◽

Jie Xu ◽

Feng Zeng ◽

Xiangjun Fu ◽

Weihong Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dose Group ◽

Corn Oil ◽

Thyroid Tissue ◽

Male Rats ◽

Follicular Epithelium ◽

High Dose Group ◽

Control Group ◽

High Dose ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Lactational Exposure

Objective Environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) with a weak ability to mimic estrogen have been associated with thyroid dysfunction. However, little is known about the effect of nonylphenol (NP), a well-known EED, on thyroid structure. The present study evaluates whether gestational and lactational exposure to NP impacts growth and thyroid structure in F1 male rats. Methods A total of 60 rats were gavaged with NP (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg), estradiol (E2, 30 μg/kg/day), and corn oil alone (vehicle control) from gestational day 6 to postnatal day (PND) 21. Serum thyroid hormones free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone levels were detected by automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer. The NP level in the thyroid was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The ultrastructure of follicular epithelial cells was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Histopathology was conducted using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results On PND 0, exposure to 50 and 100 mg/kg/day NP led to a significant decrease in the average litter size, litter weight and number of live pups per litter compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Dams exposed to NP during perinatal period demonstrated decreased serum levels of FT3 and FT4 in F1 male rats, when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The NP level in the control group was 3.39 ± 0.08 ng/mg, while NP levels in the low, middle, and high dose groups ranged from 5.20 to 11.00 ng/mg. Exposure caused a dose-related increase in NP level in the thyroid of male pups (P < 0.01). The thicknesses of the thyroid follicular epithelium were 2.06 ± 0.37 μm in the control group and 3.97 ± 1.61 μm in the high-dose group. The thickness of the thyroid follicular epithelium increased with an increase in treatment dose in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The sizes of the thyroid follicles were 1,405.53 ± 866.62 μm2 in the control group and 317.49 ± 231.15 μm2 in the high-dose group. With increasing NP dosages, animals showed a decreased size of the thyroid follicle (P < 0.01). Thyroid follicular cells of NP-treated rats showed mildly swollen mitochondria and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm. Conclusion Nonylphenol can cross the placental barrier and accumulate in the thyroid of F1 male rats. Gestational and lactational exposure to NP in dams impacted both development and growth of pups and damaged the ultrastructure of their thyroid tissue, which may further negatively influence normal thyroid function.

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The Safety of Viscum Album L. in A Murine Model: A Reproductive Toxicity Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-39354/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ricardo Ghelman ◽

Mirlene Cecília Soares Pinho Cernach ◽

Marcia Marcelino de Souza Ishigai ◽

Jorge Kioshi Hosomi ◽

Manuel de Jesus Simões ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Therapeutic Dose ◽

Dose Group ◽

Reproductive Toxicity ◽

Viscum Album ◽

High Dose Group ◽

Control Group ◽

High Dose ◽

Pregnant Rats ◽

Usual Therapeutic Dose ◽

Therapeutic Doses

Abstract Background: The use of antineoplasic drugs in pregnancy poses a huge safety challenge because of the risk of teratogenicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. The rational use of the herbal medicine Viscum album (VA) has shown promising results in several tumor lines as part of the strategy of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis in integrative oncology. The safety of intrauterine fetal exposure to VA is however unknown and can be further evidenced for therapeutic doses in pregnant cancer patients.Methods: 47 pregnant Wistar rats and 399 fetuses bred following exposure to VA were investigated. The rats were randomized into five groups. Control group (CG) received no treatment and stress group (SG) received daily vehicle subcutaneous injections alone in same volume as the treatment groups from day zero until the twentieth day of pregnancy. There were three treatments groups: therapeutic dose group (TG) received the usual therapeutic dose (UTD) of 0.013 mg/kg BW; high dose group (HG) received 12.5 mg/kg BW and very high dose group (VHG) received 25mg/kg BW, daily.Results: Weight gain was greater in the rats, placentas and fetuses in the TG and HG compared to SG. Histology of the placentas showed a greater inflammatory process in HG and VHG.Conclusion: Since no cases of abortion, embryotoxicity, natimortality or teratogenicity were found in the fetuses and histology detected no lesions in the tissues evaluated, it is reasonable to conclude that this drug is safe for use in pregnant rats.

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Maternal nicotinamide supplementation causes global DNA hypomethylation, uracil hypo-incorporation and gene expression changes in fetal rats

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114513004054 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 111 (9) ◽

pp. 1594-1601 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Yan-Jie Tian ◽

Ning Luo ◽

Na-Na Chen ◽

Yong-Zhi Lun ◽

Xin-Yi Gu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dose Group ◽

Low Dose ◽

Epigenetic Modification ◽

Fetal Liver ◽

Female Rats ◽

High Dose Group ◽

Control Group ◽

High Dose ◽

Chow Diet ◽

Dna Hypomethylation

Recent evidence shows that excess nicotinamide can cause epigenetic changes in developing rats. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of maternal nicotinamide supplementation on the fetus. Female rats were randomised into four groups fed a standard chow diet (control group) or diets supplemented with 1 g/kg of nicotinamide (low-dose group), 4 g/kg of nicotinamide (high-dose group) or 4 g/kg of nicotinamide plus 2 g/kg of betaine (betaine group) for 14–16 d before mating and throughout the study. Fetal tissue samples were collected on the 20th day of pregnancy. Compared with the control group, the high-dose group had a higher fetal death rate, and the average fetal body weight was higher in the low-dose group but lower in the high-dose group. Nicotinamide supplementation led to a decrease in placental and fetal hepatic genomic DNA methylation and genomic uracil contents (a factor modifying DNA for diversity) in the placenta and fetal liver and brain, which could be completely or partially prevented by betaine. Moreover, nicotinamide supplementation induced tissue-specific alterations in the mRNA expression of the genes encoding nicotinamideN-methyltransferase, DNA methyltransferase 1, catalase and tumour protein p53 in the placenta and fetal liver. High-dose nicotinamide supplementation increased fetal hepatic α-fetoprotein mRNA level, which was prevented by betaine supplementation. It is concluded that maternal nicotinamide supplementation can induce changes in fetal epigenetic modification and DNA base composition. The present study raises the concern that maternal nicotinamide supplementation may play a role in the development of epigenetic-related diseases in the offspring.

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Effect of Frankincense Extract on Nerve Recovery in the Rat Sciatic Nerve Damage Model

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2016/3617216 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Xiaowen Jiang ◽

Jun Ma ◽

Qingwei Wei ◽

Xinxin Feng ◽

Lu Qiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sciatic Nerve ◽

Peripheral Nerve ◽

Nerve Regeneration ◽

Dose Group ◽

High Dose Group ◽

Histological Evaluation ◽

Control Group ◽

High Dose ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Significant Difference

This study investigated the effect of frankincense extract on peripheral nerve regeneration in a crush injury rat model. Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control and frankincense extract low-, medium-, and high-dose groups. At days 7, 14, 21, and 28 following the surgery, nerve regeneration and functional recovery were evaluated using the sciatic functional index (SFI), expression of GAP-43, and the proliferation of Schwann cells (SCs) in vivo and in vitro. At day 7, the SFI in the frankincense extract high-dose group was significantly improved compared with the control group. After day 14, SFI was significantly improved in the medium- and high-dose groups. There was no significant difference in GAP-43 expression among the groups at day 7. However, after day 14, expression of GAP-43 in the high-dose group was higher than that in the control group. Histological evaluation showed that the injured nerve of frankincense extract high-dose group recovered better than the other groups 28 days after surgery. Further, S100 immunohistochemical staining, MTT colorimetry, and flow cytometry assays all showed that frankincense extract could promote the proliferation of SCs. In conclusion, frankincense extract is able to promote sciatic nerve regeneration and improve the function of a crushed sciatic nerve. This study provides a new direction for the repair of peripheral nerve injury.

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