Alterations in the liver histology and markers of metabolic syndrome associated with inflammation and liver damage in L-arginine exposed female Wistar albino rats

Sorghum, millet and cassava as alternative dietary energy sources for sustainable quail production – A review

Diversification and expansion of the poultry industry with fast-growing and highly prolific birds such as the quail (Coturnix coturnix), could contribute significantly in achieving global food and nutrition security. However, sustainable intensification of the quail relies on the cost of dietary ingredients used during feed formulations. The use of non-conventional energy sources such as sorghum, millet, and cassava in lieu of expensive energy sources such as maize, could ensure sustainable quail businesses. Generally, alternative feedstuffs should be cost-effective and possess comparable nutritional qualities as maize. In tropical countries such as South Africa, the use of sorghum, millet, and cassava in quail diets can serve as ideal alternatives because they have relatively comparable energy values as maize. Furthermore, these alternatives are largely available and easily accessible in many farming areas of South Africa. However, the presence of antinutritional factors such as tannins, cyanides and phytic acid, among others, as well as their high fiber levels may limit their utilization in quail nutrition. Nevertheless, attempts have been made to develop improved varieties with low antinutrient compositions, for instance, low-tannin sorghum varieties are increasingly being fed to poultry birds. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that certain processing techniques such as sun-drying, soaking, boiling and fermentation, among others, can lower the concentrations of antinutrients in these alternative feedstuffs, thus increasing their feeding value. To this end, nutritional feeding trials on the positive effects of sorghum, millet and cassava in quail nutrition are inconsistent, mainly due to differences in cultivar type, harvesting site or environmental conditions, sampling, and handling methods amongst other factors. Thus, the present review aimed to discuss the potential of substituting maize with sorghum, millet, and cassava in quail diets.

Different effects of exposure to penconazole and its enantiomers on hepatic glycolipid metabolism of male mice

(±) - PEN is a chiral fungicide widely used to control powdery mildew in agriculture. Currently, only a few studies have investigated the toxic effects of (±) - penconazole ((±) - PEN) on non-target organisms, and whether (±) - PEN from the enantiomeric level have toxic effects remains unclear. In this study, we systematically evaluated the effects of exposure to (±) - PEN, (+) - PEN and (-) - PEN on liver function in mice. Biochemical and histopathological analyses showed that exposure to (±) - PEN and (-) - PEN led to significant liver damage and inflammation. However, exposure to (+) - PEN treatment did not cause no adverse effects on liver function and inflammation. ¹H-NMR-based metabolomics revealed that exposure to (±) - PEN, (+) - PEN and (-) - PEN led to the animals developing liver metabolic disorder that was caused by changes in glycolipid metabolism. Quantitative analysis of genes regulating glycolipid metabolism revealed that expression of gluconeogenesis and glycolytic pathway genes were altered in individuals exposed to (±) - PEN, (+) - PEN and (-) - PEN. We also found that (±) - PEN, (+) - PEN and (-) - PEN have different effects on lipid metabolism of the liver. Exposure to (±) - PEN and (-) - PEN resulted in significant accumulation of lipids by regulating fatty acid synthesis, triglyceride synthesis, and fatty acid β oxidation pathways. In summary, we found different toxicological effects in individuals exposed to (±) - PEN, (+) - PEN and (-) - PEN. The results of this study are important for assessing the potential health risks of (±) - PEN.

Anti-fatigue effects of porcine placenta and its amino acids in a behavioral test on mice

Placenta extracts are used for their health benefits; however, the anti-fatigue effects of placenta have not been elucidated. Thus, we investigated the anti-fatigue effects of porcine placenta extract (PE) and the amino acids present in the PE (glycine, Gly; proline, Pro; glutamic acid, GA; and arginine, Arg) using a forced swimming test (FST) and a tail-suspension test (TST) on mice. Whole PE or individual amino acids decreased immobility times in the FST. PE, Pro, and Arg all lowered blood levels of lactic acid and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). PE and Gly improved glycogen content and catalase activity. As determined from the serum after the FST: PE regulated the effects of interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; GA regulated the effects of IFN-γ; Gly and Arg regulated the effects of interleukin (IL)-6; and all of the amino acids present in PE regulated the effects of TNF-α. As determined from the spleen after the FST: Gly and Arg regulated the effects of IL-1β; Gly, Pro, and Arg regulated the effects of IL-6; PE and all of the amino acids present in PE regulated the effects of TNF-α. After the TST, PE and all of the amino acids present in PE reduced immobility duration as well as levels of aspartate aminotransferase and ALT. As determined from the serum after the TST: PE and Gly regulated the effects of TNF-α; Gly and Arg regulated the effects of IL-1β; Gly, Pro, and Arg regulated the effects of IL-6; PE and all of the amino acids present in PE regulated the effects of TNF-α. These results suggest that PE should be considered a candidate anti-fatigue agent.