The effect of environmental colour on the growth, metabolism, physiology and skin pigmentation of the carnivorous freshwater catfish Lophiosilurus alexandri

The growth, physiology and skin pigmentation of pacamã Lophiosilurus alexandri juveniles were evaluated in an experiment using different tank colours (white, yellow, green, blue, brown and black) over an 80 day period. The tank colours did not cause significant differences to final body mass, total length, survival rate, carcass composition (moisture, crude protein, ash, ether extract, calcium, phosphorus, energy), or to plasma protein, triglyceride and cholesterol values. Haematocrit values, however, were highest for fish kept in white tanks (ANOVA P < 0·05), while the greatest haemoglobin levels were recorded for fish kept in blue and brown tanks (P < 0·01). The concentrations of cortisol (P < 0·001) and glucose (P < 0·01) were the most in fish in the black tanks. Tank colour affected skin pigmentation significantly, with fish in white tanks having the highest values of L* (brightness) and the lowest values in blue and black tanks. L*, however, decreased in all treatments throughout the experiment. C*_ab increased significantly over the course of the experiment in fish kept in white tanks. Similar increases of C*_ab were recorded in the other treatments but to a lesser extent. The use of black tanks during the cultivation of L. alexandri caused stress and should be avoided. Cultivation in white and yellow tanks produced individuals with a pale skin colour, while cultivation in blue and black tanks resulted in juveniles with a darker and more pigmented skin.

Effects of supplemental dietary vitamin C on quality of semen from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) breeders

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin C on growth and quality of semen from Oreochromis niloticus breeders. One hundred and sixty males were fed with different levels of vitamin C (0, 261, 599 and 942 mg/kg diet). The higher weight values were recorded for 599 (166 g) and 942 (175 g) mg of vitamin C/kg diet. Sperm motility, vigour and concentration were higher with 599 and 942 mg of vitamin C/kg diet. The semen volume, gonadosomatic index and plasma protein data from the last week showed a direct relationship with increasing levels of vitamin C. No changes were observed in the hepatosomatic index and blood glucose. The haematocrit and erythrocyte showed higher values estimated by equations derived at 850 and 638 mg vitamin C/kg diet, respectively. The leucocytes were inversely proportional to the increasing levels of vitamin C. After 100 days of feeding, animals fed the diet containing 942 mg vitamin C/kg diet had higher sperm motility, linearity, curvilinear velocity, straight line velocity and average path velocity (p < .05). Higher values of beat cross-frequency were observed in broodfish fed diets containing 942 and 599 mg vitamin C/kg. The different vitamin C levels did not cause differences in straightness, lateral head displacement and sperm morphology. For Nile tilapia males on intensive rearing and handling conditions, vitamin C levels between 599 and 942 mg/kg may be used for a better performance and quality of semen.

A follow-up study of the chronic kidney disease patients treated with Brazil nut: focus on inflammation and oxidative stress

Brazil nut is the richest known food source of selenium. The supplementation with Brazil nut during 3 months was effective in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, there are no available data on the antioxidant effect after that supplementation. The objective of this work was to determine if the beneficial effects of one Brazil nut supplementation per day during 3 months for the HD patients could be sustained after 12 months. Twenty-nine HD patients (58.6 % men, 51.0 ± 3.3 years) from RenalCor Clinic, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were followed up 12 months after the supplementation study had finished. The plasma levels of antioxidant substances as selenium, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), 8-isoprostane, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and cytokines (tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)) were determined before, after 3 months of supplementation and after 12 months. After 3-months supplementation, cytokines, 8-OHdG and 8-isoprostane plasma levels have decreased and the activity of GPx and selenium plasma levels have increased significantly. Additionally, after 12 months, the values of 8-isoprostane, 8-OHdG and cytokines increased and the activity of GPx and selenium plasma levels decreased significantly. The levels of oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers after 12 months increased compared to the basal levels. Consequently, it is necessary to motivate patients to adopt different dietary intake patterns.

Demethylpeceyline, A New Dimeric Indoline Alkaloid from Petchia ceylanica

A new dimeric indoline alkaloid has been isolated from the leaves of PETCHIA CEYLANICA. Its structure has been assigned as 1 on the basis of spectral studies. Its stereochemistry has been established by NOE difference measurements.