Chemical composition and fatty acid profile of rhea (Rhea americana) meat

The purpose of this work was to determine the proximate composition and fatty acid profiles of the Gastrocnemius pars interna intramuscular fat (IMF) of rhea (Rhea americana) thighs. The birds were bred in captivity, fed with balanced feed (Nutriavestruz Crescimento - Purina) and kept in a pen with grass ad lib. The birds of both sexes used in the research weighed 23 kg on average and were aged about twelve (12) months old. They were subjected to hydric diet (12 h) before slaughtering by electric shock. The rhea meat showed an average moisture, protein, ash and total lipid contents of 74.1%, 22.8%, 1.5% and 1.6%, respectively. It was noticed the predominance of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in intramuscular fat (IMF), 42.3% and a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), 29.7%.. The fatty acids found in higher proportion in rhea IMF were: 18:2n-6 (24.33%), 18: 1n-9 (19.25%),16:0 (13.70%),22: 1n9 (11.40%),18:0 (10.66%),15: 1n-10 (8.62%),24: 1n-9 (2.90%) and 20:4n-6 (1.72%). The PUFA/SFA and n-6/n-3 ratios were 1.06 and 31.30, respectively. The consumption of rhea meat is a healthy alternative to red meat as it points to a lower susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases caused by the high consumption of fat comparatively to the consumption of meat from most domesticated animals.

Efeito da coenzima Q10 nos danos oxidativos induzidos pela L-tiroxina no músculo sóleo de ratos

Introduction: skeletal muscles are dynamic tissue that can change their phenotypic characteristics providing a better functional adaptation to different stimuli. L-thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland and has been used as an experimental model for stimulation of oxidative stress in skeletal muscle. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble provitamin endogenously synthesized and found naturally in foods such red meat, fish, cereals, broccoli and spinach. It has antioxidant properties and potential in the treatment of degenerative and neuromuscular diseases. Objective: to evaluate the protective effect of CoQ10 in the soleus muscle of rats against the oxidative damage caused by L-thyroxine. Methods: the rats were divided in four groups of six animals each: Group 1 (control); Group 2 (coenzyme Q10); Group 3 (L-thyroxine), and Group 4 coenzyme Q10 and L-thyroxine). After euthanasia, blood was collected and serum activity of the enzymes creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was analyzed. In the soleus muscle homogenates the factors related to oxidative stress were assessed. Results: CoQ10 protected the soleus muscle against the damage caused by L-thyroxine and favored the maintenance of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase, the concentration of decreased and oxidized glutathione, and prevented lipid peroxidation. Conclusion: the results indicate that CoQ10 protects rat soleus muscle from oxidative damage caused by L-thyroxine.