Interactive effects of betaine and monensin in uninfected and Eimeria acervulina-infected chicks

Three experiments (Exp.) were conducted to evaluate the interactive effects of dietary betaine (BET) and monensin (MON) in uninfected or Eimeria acervulina-infected chicks. The treatments were replicated with six (Exp. 1) or five (Exp. 2 and 3) pens of five chicks each. The experimental periods lasted 9 (Exp. 1 and 2) or 10 (Exp. 3) d each and the coccidiosis infections were established on Day 2 (Exp. 1 and 2) or Day 3 (Exp. 3) of the experiment. Average initial weight of the chicks was 101, 73, and 68 g in Exp. 1 to 3, respectively, and the initial age of the chicks was 5 (Exp. 1) or 4 (Exp. 2 and 3) d. A corn-soybean meal basal diet was used in each experiment. In Exp. 1, the effect of dietary BET (0, 0.1, or 0.5%) in uninfected or coccidiosis-infected (COC; 5 x 10(5) sporulated E. acervulina oocysts) chicks was investigated. In Exp. 2, the interactive effects of BET (0 or 0.1%) and MON (0 or 55 ppm) in uninfected or COC chicks were investigated in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Experiment 3 was identical to Exp. 2, except the level of MON was 110 rather than 55 ppm. In Exp. 1, 2, and 3, COC reduced (P < 0.01) gain, feed intake (FI), feed efficiency (GF), and plasma carotenoid concentration (CAR) and increased (P < 0.01) lesion score (LS). In Exp. 1, gain and FI were decreased in uninfected chicks fed 0.1% BET but gain and FI were increased in COC chicks fed 0.1% BET (COC x BET quadratic, P < 0.01). Dietary BET linearly increased (P < 0.05) GF. In Exp. 2 and 3, MON increased (P < 0.01) gain, FI, GF, and CAR and decreased (P < 0.01) LS of COC chicks, but MON had no effect in uninfected chicks (COC x MON, P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, GF was increased more in chicks fed both MON and BET than in chicks fed MON (BET x MON, P < 0.06). In Exp. 3, BET increased GF of uninfected chicks fed MON and of COC chicks not fed MON (COC x BET x MON, P < 0.02). Betaine may have an effect on E. acervulina-infected chicks, but there is no conclusive evidence to indicate that the efficacy of MON is improved when fed in combination with BET.

Use of LPC antagonist, choline, in the management of bronchial asthma

The present study was conducted to compare the effects of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) and choline, a lipotropic factor, in management of bronchial asthma. Two groups taking DSCG and choline were compared between themselves and with a control group (on bronchodilators only) in a three month trial. A significant improvement in average symptoms scores was observed in all groups but was clinically significant only in the groups taking choline. Percent asymptomatic days increased in all the groups, but was not significant. The additional drug requirement decreased significantly only in the group taking choline. All groups showed an improvement in SGaw at FRC and percent fall in specific airways conductance (SGaw) at RV, but non-significant. A significant fall in bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) was observed in the group taking choline, which was not consistent, whereas a marginal increase in BHR in the control and DSCG groups was observed. It is concluded that choline, an anti-inflammatory agent which acts by lowering lipophosphatidyl choline (LPC), plays an active role in subjective as well as functional improvement in bronchial asthma. However, a dose related response is yet to be established.

[The correction of the status of the pulmonary surfactant system as a method for preventing experimental pneumoconiosis]

Using a model of experimental pneumoconiosis in albino rats, induced by breathing in a rock dust, we attempted correction of the pulmonary surfactant system, for which purpose we tried choline chloride as a drug preparation. The action of the above drug was found out to be depended upon the moment of its administration and time during which it is being administered, and is that of influence on both the concentration and mechanism of absorbtion of surface-active fractions of the surfactant in the liquid-gas interface. Early administration of choline chloride (during the dust factor exposure) increases concentration of those surfactants notable for their surface-active properties being maintained, and improves the processes of diffusion of surface-active substances, which observation is accompanied by decrease in intensity of the processes of fibroformation in the lung tissue. Choline chlorid employed on the discontinuation of the dust exposure has adverse effects leading to changes in the lipid composition, impairing the surface-active properties and processes of diffusion of the pulmonary surfactant, which fact may contribute to aggravation of fibrosis in the lungs.

[The effect of nicotinamide, methionine and alpha-tocopherol on the liver conjugating and mono-oxygenase systems and on lipid peroxidation in hepatosis-hepatitis in rats]

Four days after a single intragastric injection of CCl4 (5 mg/kg as a 50% oil solution) increased intensity of a chemoluminescence "quick flush" in the hepatic microsomes and blood serum, as well as hepatocyte cytolysis (increased ALT activity) and decreased rate of antipyrine elimination from the blood were recorded in rats. The content of cytochromes P-450 and b5 activity of NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase and cytosol glutathione transferase in the hepatic microsomal fractions reduced in this case. Administration of methionine (200 mg/kg) and its combination with nicotinamide (60 mg/kg) without and, particularly, with additional prescription of vitamin E (150 mg/kg) produced a marked antioxidant and enzyme-normalizing effects in the rats.

[Possibilities and limitations of drugs to protect the liver]

In this paper preventive liver protective agents for the prophylaxis of hepatopathies due to functional stress, and curative protective agents for therapy of existing liver damage are distinguished. Preventive liver protective agents are key substances in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and sulfur. For curative liver protective agents, inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis, calcium antagonists and inhibitors of sulfhydryl (-SH) containing enzymes are proposed and substantiated.

An expanded concept of "insurance" supplementation--broad-spectrum protection from cardiovascular disease

The preventive merits of "nutritional insurance" supplementation can be considerably broadened if meaningful doses of nutrients such as mitochondrial "metavitamins" (coenzyme Q, lipoic acid, carnitine), lipotropes, and key essential fatty acids, are included in insurance supplements. From the standpoint of cardiovascular protection, these nutrients, as well as magnesium, selenium, and GTF-chromium, appear to have particular value. Sophisticated insurance supplementation would likely have a favorable impact on many parameters which govern cardiovascular risk--serum lipid profiles, blood pressure, platelet stability, glucose tolerance, bioenergetics, action potential regulation--and as a life-long preventive health strategy might confer substantial benefit.

[Perforating generalized granuloma annulare. A two case study (author's transl)]

This article deals with two new cases of perforating generalized granuloma annulare characterized, from a clinical and biological standpoint, by a long course of evolution for one case and the presence of diabetes and dyslipidemia for the other case. Histologic study confirms the possible coexistence of typical granuloma annulare lesions with epidermic corbelar aspects pinching necrotic material which could lead to complete epidermic perforation. Based on the study of previous cases in the literature, the process of transepidermic elimination and the actual pathophysiologic concepts of granuloma annulare are reviewed. From the therapeutic standpoint, if the first case did not appear to profit from the administration of an alkylating agent, the second case seems to be presently improved through gluco-lipid re-equilibrium associated with lipocaic heparin.

Effect of inositol, lecithin, vitamins (B12 with choline and E), and iodinated casein on induced fatty liver-hemorrhagic syndrome in laying chickens

Egg production, liver lipid, and liver hemorrhagic score were not significantly altered by diets that contained inositol (at 1 or 2 g./kg. diet) and fed ad libitum, or force-fed to S.C. White Leghorn hens to produce fatty liver-hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS). FLHS was not prevented by lecithin, iodinated casein alone or with inositol. The vitamins B12, choline and E appeared to reduce FLHS and liver lipid in the one group tested. The dose-response relationship between feed intake, liver hemorrhagic score and liver lipid content was again demonstrated.

Alleviatiin of dietary cirrhosis with betaine and other lipotropic agents

Supplementary betaine (as the hydrate, 0.63%) had a marked curative effect on cirrhosis of dietary origin. Male rats fed a hypolipotropic diet (protein 9%, provided as 6% extracted peanut meal, 6% soy protein) developed cirrhotic lesions of moderate severity in 4–6 months (established by laparotomy); 11 treatment diets were fed for about 7 months. The previously reported therapeutic effects of supplementary choline, methionine, or high protein were confirmed under new dietary conditions.