Intestinal Microbiota and Serum Metabolic Profile Responded to Two Nutritional Different Diets in Mice

There is an interaction and bidirectional selection between dietary intake and gut microbiota due to the different efficiency of nutrients in the gut. The nutritional composition of germ-free (GF) diets differs significantly from specific pathogen-free (SPF) diets. There is, however, no data revealing how SPF animals from the same microbial background respond to them and if they affect the host. We examined the growth of SPF mice on the GF diet and found that it reduced body weight, intestinal length and intestinal morphology. Interestingly, the GF diet increased the level of pro-inflammatory bacteria in the gut of SPF mice, including Proteobacteria, Burkholderiaceae, Alloprevotella and Parasutterella. Furthermore, GF diets caused significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA), IL-1β, IL-6, and D-lactate levels in the serum of SPF mice and significantly altered their serum metabolic profile, especially amino acid metabolism. In conclusion, GF diets are not suitable for the growth and development of SPF mice. These findings, based on the role of gut microbiota in diet selection, provide new insights into the scientific and rational use of experimental animal diets.

TBHQ attenuates ferroptosis against 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal epithelial cell injury and intestinal mucositis via activation of Nrf2

Background Intestinal mucositis is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Very few drugs can efficiently ameliorate it. Tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) is a widely used food preservative with known immunomodulatory activity. Whether it has an effect on intestinal mucositis remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanism of action of TBHQ on 5-fluorouracil-induced (5-FU-induced) human intestinal epithelial cell (HIEC) injury and intestinal mucositis in mice. Methods We established a cell model of HIEC injury and a mouse model of intestinal mucositis via treatment with 5-FU. Cell death, Cell Counting Kit-8, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were assessed for the HIECs. Diarrhea, body weight, intestinal length, mucosal damage, and the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, glutathione, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde were determined for the mice. Additionally, we performed immunohistochemical analysis, immunofluorescence, western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR, and ELISA to examine the effects of TBHQ. Finally, HIECs were transfected with an Nrf2 gene silencer to verify its role in ferroptosis. All data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance or paired t-tests. Results TBHQ markedly decreased LDH release and cell death and improved the proliferative ability of 5-FU-treated HIECs. The TBHQ-treated mice showed reduced weight loss, a lower diarrhea score, and longer colons than the 5-FU-treated mice. The in vivo expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were suppressed by TBHQ treatment. Ferroptosis was shown to be involved in 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis, and TBHQ markedly hampered its activation. Mechanistically, TBHQ activated Nrf2 effectively and selective Nrf2 knockdown significantly reduced the anti-ferroptotic functions of TBHQ in 5-FU-treated HIECs. Conclusions TBHQ attenuates ferroptosis in 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis, making it a potential novel protective agent against intestinal mucositis.

Weight and Lenght of Digestive Organs of Super Native Chickens Fed of Amorphophallus companulatus Tuber Flour

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of Amorphophallus companulatus (AC) tuber flour in feed on the weight and length of the digestive organs of super-native chickens. This research was conducted for 8 weeks. The experimental design used was a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 5 replications (P0 = feed without AC tuber flour, P1 = feed containing 5% AC tuber flour, P2 = feed containing AC tuber flour 7.5%, and P3 = feed containing 10% AC tuber flour). The results showed that the use of AC tuber flour in the super free-range chicken feed had a very significant effect (P<0.01) on the weight and length of the small intestine and significantly (P<0.05) on pancreatic weight, but had no effect (P>0 .05) against gizzard. It was concluded that AC bulbs could be used up to 10% in super-free-range chicken feed. the use of AC tuber flour as much as 7.5% in super free-range chicken feed resulted in the highest intestinal weight, intestinal length, and pancreas weight.

Characteristics of pig carcasses of two genetic breeds / Características de carcaças suínas de duas linhagens genéticas

The production of good quality carcasses is the main goal of modern commercial and industrial pig farming.The genetic potential of commercial breeds has changed considerably, especially in terms of deposition rates of lean meat and lard thickness. By morphology and analysis of the small intestine one can evaluate the utilization of nutrients for the deposition of fat and meat in swine carcasses.This study aimed to evaluate the quality of carcasses from two commercial genetic breeds, using quantitative traits, and to investigate if there is difference in length and absorptive surface of the intestine, verifying if these data are correlated with the yield of lean meat on the carcass. 60 animals from each breed were slaughtered and evaluations made for the characteristics: hot carcass weight (HCW), carcass length (CL), lard thickness (LT), percentage of lean meat (LM%), intramuscular fat (IMF) and intestinal length (IL). For the analysis of intestinal absorption (IA) were used only 62 of the animals previously studied, being 31 animals of each genotype.The average values of CL and IMF presented differences between breeds. The meat of the swines studied presented a low IMF content, existing correlation between the LM% and LT. The breeds had statistically equal IC, AI and LM%. There was also correlation between LM% and LT.

THE EXPERIENCE OF JOINT USAGE OF SORBENTS AND PROBIOTICS IN POULTY BREEDING

The studies were carried out in the conditions of ZAO PPF “Kavkaz” of the Krasnodar Territory. The article presents results of studies on separate and combined usage of active coal feed additive (ACFA) as a sorbent and “Sporothermin” probiotic for development of muscles and internal organs of broiler chickens of “Cobb-500” cross. The studies were carried out in accordance with the “Methodology for conducting scientific and industrial research on agricultural poultry.” At the end of the experimental period, the development of the muscles and internal organs of the bird was studied. In the course of the experiment, the survivability of the bird, the increase of live weight, and the cost of feed were also determined. As a result of the studies, it was revealed that the use of a probiotic and a sorbent increases the live weight of an un-gutted carcass by 5.0-8.7%. With the combined application of a sorbent and a probiotic, the mass of the glandular stomach was significantly increased by 0.15 abs. % (P <0.001). Intestinal mass significantly grew up with application of ACFA sorbent by 0.42 abs. % (p <0.05). Intestinal length evidently decreased by 8.5% (p <0.001) when using “Sporothermine” probiotic. It should be noted that the mass of the thigh muscles significantly increased by 29.0% (p <0.05) in the second experimental group with usage of ACFA, in relation to the control. At the end of the experiment, the live weight of poultry increased by 4.2% (p <0.01) in the second group with ACFA application. In the third group, where “Sporothermin” was used, the live weight grew up by 9.0% (p <0.001). In the fourth experimental group, which was fed with both the sorbent and the probiotic, the best results were obtained and the live weight significantly increased by 9.7% (p <0.001). Over the entire experiment period, feed costs per unit of production have been reduced by 4.3- 8.6%. The survivability of the poultry population was 94.4% in the control. In the second and third groups, the survival rate was also high and exceeded the control by 3.0%, in the fourth - by 5.6%.

EVALUATION OF CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKENS FED GRADED LEVELS OF TREATED SESAME WASTE

A total of one hundred and twelve day-old broiler chicks (Amo strains) were used to evaluate carcass traits fed with diets containing graded levels of treated sesame waste and its appropriate level of inclusion in the diet. The experimental birds were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments of 28 birds per treatment and each treatment was replicated four times with seven birds per pen. Results obtained showed that there were significant (P<0.05) differences in terms of weight (g), pluck weight (g), carcass weight (g), intestinal weight (g) and liver weight (%). Non-significant (P<0.05) difference were observed in terms of intestinal length (cm), wing weight (g), thigh weight (g), head & legs (%), gizzard (%), lungs (%), heart (%) liver (%), kidney (%) and spleen (%).

Novel Characterization of Constipation Phenotypes in ICR Mice Orally Administrated with Polystyrene Microplastics

Indirect evidence has determined the possibility that microplastics (MP) induce constipation, although direct scientific proof for constipation induction in animals remains unclear. To investigate whether oral administration of polystyrene (PS)-MP causes constipation, an alteration in the constipation parameters and mechanisms was analyzed in ICR mice, treated with 0.5 μm PS-MP for 2 weeks. Significant alterations in water consumption, stool weight, stool water contents, and stool morphology were detected in MP treated ICR mice, as compared to Vehicle treated group. Also, the gastrointestinal (GI) motility and intestinal length were decreased, while the histopathological structure and cytological structure of the mid colon were remarkably altered in treated mice. Mice exposed to MP also showed a significant decrease in the GI hormone concentration, muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) expression, and their downstream signaling pathway. Subsequent to MP treatment, concentrations of chloride ion and expressions of its channel (CFTR and CIC-2) were decreased, whereas expressions of aquaporin (AQP)3 and 8 for water transportation were downregulated by activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway. These results are the first to suggest that oral administration of PS-MP induces chronic constipation through the dysregulation of GI motility, mucin secretion, and chloride ion and water transportation in the mid colon.

Influence of prey diet quality on predator-induced traits in wood frog tadpoles (Lithobates sylvaticus)

Diet quality and predation are two critical factors in determining the growth and development of organisms. Various anurans are susceptible to phenotypic changes influenced by these factors. Yet, few studies examined prey diet quality as potential influence over predator-induced traits. Using wood frog tadpoles (Lithobates sylvaticus) as a model species, we investigated the effects of three diet compositions (plant-based, animal-based, omnivorous) crossed with presence or absence of chemical cues from predatory dragonfly larvae (Aeshnidae). After 35 days, we recorded 11 morphological measurements, Gosner stage, and intestinal length of tadpoles to assess phenotypic changes under the six different experimental conditions. Our results showed the additive effects of both diet quality and predator chemical cue without detection of interactions between the two. Tadpoles receiving the omnivorous diet grew and developed faster with wider denticle rows than those receiving the plant or animal diets. The growth and development of tadpoles receiving only the animal diet were significantly hindered. These results emphasize the importance of diet quality in the growth and development of larval wood frogs. Chemical cues from predators significantly reduced tadpole body size but, in contrast to previous findings, did not affect tail size. Our experimental procedure of providing water containing predator and injured conspecific chemical cues on a weekly basis likely provided relatively weak predation risk perceived by tadpoles compared to previous studies using caged predators. The predator environment in our experiment, however, represents one ecologically relevant scenario in which predation risk is not urgent.

PHARMACOLOGICAL CORRECTION OF EXPERIMENTAL GASTRIC ULCER BY A NEW HERBAL AGENT

The aim of the study was to study the effect of liposome emulsion with grape seed polyphenols (LEGSP) on the secretory and motor-evacuatory functions of the gastrointestinal tract and efficacy in experimental gastric ulcer. Materials and methods. The experiments were carried out on 36 white non-linear male rats weighing 180–220 g and 12 white non-linear mice weighing 18–20 g of different sexes. The effect of LEGSP on the secretion of gastric juice was assessed in terms of total, free and associated acidity of gastric contents; on the motor-evacuation function of the gastrointestinal tract – according to the percentage of intestinal length passed by the contrast mass from the absolute intestinal length. Evaluation of the antiulcer activity of the emulsion was carried out according to macroscopic indicators of the intensity of the formation of ulcerative defects in the gastric mucosa. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using parametric and nonparametric methods of analysis. Differences between the control and experimental groups were considered statistically significant at P < 0.05. Results. It was found that for 4 hours of the experiment under the influence of LEGSP the secretion of gastric juice decreased by 12.7 % relative to the group of intact animals. Total, free and associated acidity decreased by 33.3 %, 41.4 % and 24.2 %, respectively. That is, the use of LEGSP leads to a moderate suppression of the acid-producing function of the stomach. An increase in the motor function of the intestine was also observed with the introduction of LEGSP to mice, as evidenced by an increase in the relative index of the intestinal length passed by the contrast agent by 28.5 % compared with the intact control. In the experimental group, which received LEGSP, the average area of ​​erosive damage areas decreased by 3.7 times and amounted to (5.7 ± 0.5) mm2. The ulcerative index is 1.4; antiulcer activity – 93.4 %. Conclusions. A new herbal remedy based on grape seeds (LEGSP) leads to the suppression of the acid-producing function of the stomach, stimulates the motor-evacuation function of the intestine and has high antiulcer activity in the model of acute serotonin gastric ulcer.