HT-2 Mycotoxin and Selenium Deficiency: Effects on Femur Development and Integrity in Young Mice

Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD), an osteoarticular disorder, is potentially influenced by several factors, among which selenium deficiency and HT-2 mycotoxin exposure are considered significant. However, the combined effect of these factors on femoral development remains unclear, Conducted over eight weeks on forty-eight male mice categorized into control, selenium-deficient, and HT-2 toxin-exposed groups, including dual-exposure sets, this study comprehensively monitored body weight, bone metabolism markers, and cellular health. Employing biomechanical analysis, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we unearthed a reduction in body weight due to HT-2 toxin alone, with selenium deficiency exacerbating these effects synergistically. Our results unveil that both factors independently affect bone metabolism, yet their confluence leads to a pronounced degradation of bone health parameters, including alterations in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels, alongside marked changes in osteoblast and osteoclast activity and bone cell structures. The notable damage to femoral cortical and trabecular architectures underscores the perilous interplay between dietary selenium absence and HT-2 toxin presence, necessitating a deeper understanding of their separate and joint effects on bone integrity. These discoveries underscore the imperative for a nuanced approach to toxicology research and public health policy, highlighting the pivotal influence of environmental and nutritional factors on skeletal well-being.

Bone quality and composition are influenced by egg production, layer line, and estradiol-17ß in laying hens

Keel bone fractures are a serious animal welfare problem in laying hens. The aim of the current study was to assess the influence of egg production, estradiol-17ß, and selection for high laying performance on bone quality. Hens of two layer lines differing in laying performance (WLA: 320 eggs per year, G11: 200 eggs per year) were allocated to four treatment groups. Group S received a deslorelin acetate implant that suppressed egg production. Group E received an implant with the sexual steroid estradiol-17ß. Group SE received both implants and group C did not receive any implant. In the 63^rd week of age, composition and characteristics of the tibiotarsi were assessed using histological analysis, three-point bending test, thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and two-dimensional X-ray diffraction, respectively. Non-egg laying hens showed a higher total bone area and a higher relative amount of cortical bone compared to egg laying hens. Hens of layer line G11 showed a higher relative amount of medullary bone and a higher degree of mineralization of the cortical bone compared to hens of layer line WLA. These differences in bone composition may explain different susceptibility for keel bone fractures in non-egg laying compared to egg laying hens as well as in hens of layer lines differing in laying performance. The effect of exogenous estradiol-17ß on bone parameters varied between the layer lines indicating a genetic influence on bone physiology and the way it can be modulated by hormone substitution.

Relationships Between Pulmonary Function and Composite Indices of Femoral Neck Strength in Korean Men (KNHANES IV)

BACKGROUND

Despite the close relationship between osteoporosis and chronic pulmonary diseases, few studies have evaluated relationships between pulmonary functions and bone quality. We investigated associations between pulmonary function test results and femoral neck strength indices (SIs) in Korean men.

METHODS

This population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV on 936 men aged ≥ 19 years. Pulmonary functions (forced vital capacity [FVC] and forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV₁]) were measured using a dry rolling seal spirometer. Femoral neck SIs, relative to load, were calculated by hip dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for compression strength index (CSI), bending strength index (BSI), and impact strength index (ISI).

RESULTS

The 443 (47.3%) of the 936 men were current smokers. FVC, FVC percentage with respect to the expected normal value, FEV₁, and FEV₁ percentage with respect to the expected normal value (FEV₁p) were positively associated with CSI and BSI after adjusting for confounders, including smoking history (β = 0.003-0.223, P = 0.005-0.036). FEV₁ and FEV₁p were positively associated with ISI (β = 0.000-0.014, P = 0.010-0.025). Of components of femoral neck SIs, bone mineral density was correlated with FEV₁ and FEV₁p (β = 0.001-0.037, P = 0.017-0.019). After adjusting for all confounders, all femoral neck SIs increased with FVC quintiles (P for trends = 0.001-0.012), and CSI and BSI increased with FEV₁ quintiles (P for trends = 0.034-0.043).

CONCLUSION

Reduced pulmonary function was correlated with reduced femoral neck strength, even after adjusting for smoking history in Korean men. Femoral neck SIs might be useful tools for evaluating bone health in men with reduced pulmonary function.

Sex differences in bone density, geometry, and bone strength of competitive soccer players

OBJECTIVES

To examine sex differences in bone characteristics in competitive soccer players.

METHODS

43 soccer players (male, n=23; female, n=20), and 43 matched controls (males, n=23; females, n=20), completed the study. Areal BMD (aBMD) of the total body, lumbar spine, and dual femur and tibiae volumetric BMD (vBMD), bone geometry, and bone strength variables (pQCT) were measured. Bone-specific physical activity and training history were assessed.

RESULTS

Male soccer players had significantly greater (p≤0.05) total body and hip aBMD, hip strength indices and 4% and 38% tibia variables than females. Regression analyses determined that BFLBM, not sex, was the strongest predictor of bone variables. Female soccer players exhibited significantly greater percent differences from controls for tibiae variables than males (p≤0.05). Soccer players had greater aBMD and hip strength indices than controls (p≤0.040). Soccer-specific asymmetries were found for 38% total area (2.1%) and pSSI (3.8%), favoring the non-dominant leg (both p≤0.017).

CONCLUSION

Bone characteristics adjusted for body size were greater in male versus female soccer players. However, body composition variables were more important predictors of bone characteristics than sex. There were no sex differences in the magnitude of limb asymmetries, suggesting skeletal responsiveness to mechanical loading was similar in males and females.

Replacement value of cassava for maize in broiler chicken diets supplemented with enzymes

Objective

Pellet durability, particle size distribution, growth response, tibia bone characteristics and energy retention were measured to evaluate cassava as an alternative energy source to replace maize in broiler diets with or without Ronozyme (A+VP) enzyme composites.

Methods

A total of 480 one-day broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 8 treatments in a 4×2 factorial arrangement. Four levels of cassava: (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%) and 2 levels of enzymes (0 and 500 g/tonne) were used. Each treatment was replicated six times, with ten birds per replicate.

Results

The particle size distribution in the diets showed an increasing trend of small particles with increase in cassava level. Pellet durability decreased (p<0.05) with cassava inclusion. Feed intake was highest in birds fed diets with medium cassava level at 1 to 24 d and 1 to 35 d of age. The body weight gain of birds reduced (p<0.037) as cassava level increased, but it increased (p<0.017 when enzymes were added. The feed conversion ratio was high (p<0.05) when cassava level was increased, but it reduced (p<0.05) when enzymes were added. The dressing percentage (DP), and weight of drumsticks reduced (p<0.05) with increasing cassava level. Enzyme supplementation increased (p<0.05) DP, and weight of breast, thighs and drumsticks. Ash content, weight, length, width, and bone strength decreased (p<0.05) when cassava level was increased, however, they were increased with enzyme addition. The contents of Ca, K, and Zn were raised (p<0.001) with increasing cassava level. Enzyme inclusion increased (p<0.001) all mineral contents in tibia bones. Body fat and energy retained as fat decreased (p<0.001) as cassava level increased. Enzyme inclusion increased (p<0.05) body protein content and energy retained as protein.

Conclusion

Although broiler performance was depressed by high levels of cassava inclusion, it was not affected by low levels, which further improved by enzyme supplementation.

Predictors of Bone Status by Quantitative Ultrasound Measurements in a Mountain Village in Japan

Background:

It seems to be important to recognize predictors of bone health condition in Japanese super-aged society. The purpose of this study was to investigate predictors of the speed of sound (SOS) of calcaneus by quantitative ultrasound measurements of mountain village residents.

Materials and Methods:

Medical examinations were conducted on 214 participants (69 men, 145 women; average age of 63.6 years). Each had completed a self-administered questionnaire including items such as gender, dominant hand, occupation, and history of smoking and drinking alcohol, experience of falls, and the EuroQol-5-dimensions-3-level Japanese version and a 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale proposed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Bilateral grip and key pinch strength were measured. The SOS of calcaneus was assessed using ultrasound bone densitometry. Body composition was measured using a multi-frequency segmental body composition analyzer. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated to elucidate the relation between SOS and evaluation items. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify predictors of SOS using the investigated factors as explanatory variables. P values of < .05 were regarded as statistically significant.

Results:

Significant positive correlation was found between the SOS and dominant and non-dominant grip and key pinch strength and Euro index and QOL VAS in all participants. In stepwise logistic regression, non-dominant key pinch (β coefficient= 0.27, p= .022) and Euro QOL VAS (β coefficient= 0.24, p= .0001) were predictors of calcaneal SOS for all participants.

Conclusion:

Key pinch strength and Euro QOL VAS assessment might be useful to predict calcaneal SOS in the general population.

Effects of Adding Super Dose Phytase to the Phosphorus-deficient Diets of Young Pigs on Growth Performance, Bone Quality, Minerals and Amino Acids Digestibilities

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of feeding an Escherichia coli (E. coli) derived phytase to pigs fed P deficient, corn-soybean meal diets. In Exp. 1, one hundred and twenty crossbred piglets (9.53±0.84 kg) were allocated to one of five treatments which consisted of four low P diets (0.61% Ca, 0.46% total P and 0.24% non-phytate P) supplemented with 0, 500, 1,000, or 20,000 FTU/kg E. coli phytase as well as a positive control formulated to be adequate in all nutrients (0.77% Ca, 0.62% total P and 0.42% non-phytate P). The treatments were applied to six pens with four pigs per pen for 28 days. In Exp. 2, ten crossbred pigs (19.66±1.16 kg) fitted with ileal T-cannula were used in a nutrient balance study. The pigs were assigned to treatments similar to those used in Exp. 1 in a doubly replicated 5×4 incomplete Latin square design (5 diets with 4 periods). Each period consisted of a 5-d adjustment period followed by a 3-d total collection of feces and urine and then a 2-d collection of ileal digesta. Supplementation with phytase linearly increased (p<0.05) weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, bone breaking strength and fat-free dry and ash bone weight. There were linear increases (p<0.01) in the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of DM, GE, CP, Ca, total P, inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) and some AA with increasing dose of E. coli phytase. Pigs fed 20,000 FTU/kg had a greater (p<0.05) AID of IP6 (80% vs 59% or 64%, respectively) than pigs fed diets with 500 or 1,000 FTU/kg phytase. There were linear increases (p<0.05) in the total tract digestibility of Ca, total P, Na, K, Mg, and Zn as well as in the retention of Mg and Zn with increased phytase dose. The retention and utilization of Cu, and the total tract digestibility of CP and Cu quadratic increased (p<0.05) with increased phytase dose. In conclusion, supplementation of 500 FTU of phytase/kg and above effectively hydrolyzed phytate in low-P corn-soybean diets for pigs. In addition, a super dose of phytase (20,000 FTU/kg) hydrolyzed most of the IP6 and consequently further improved mineral use, protein utilization and performance.