Morphometric analysis of the intestine of domestic quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) treated with different levels of dietary calcium

The aim of this study was to perform a morphometric analysis of the various parts of the intestine of the domestic quail. Twenty-four female quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) aged 37 weeks were used and accommodated in laying cages for 12 weeks. Each group was fed a standardized diet containing different quantities of calcium: 2.0%, 2.5%. 3.0% and 3.5%. The birds were weighed, killed, and samples of 1 cm were collected from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and submitted to the histological routine. The sections obtained were stained in haematoxylin & eosin (H&E). For morphometric analysis, 30 villi and 30 crypts of each segment of the small intestine were measured in order to determine the height and area of the villi, as well as the depth of the crypts. The results showed that although the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract was maintained in all the birds treated with the different calcium levels, a calcium level of 3.0% showed the most promise, as the levels of 2.0% and 2.5% did not cause any alteration in the intestinal tract. Furthermore, a calcium level of 3.5% led to a significant reduction in the height of the villosities, and in consequence reduced the digestive and absorptive capabilities.

EFFECTS of CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION DURING RESISTANCE TRAINING on MYOSIN HEAVY CHAIN (MHC) EXPRESSION IN RAT SKELETAL MUSCLE FIBERS

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Dietary intervention with narrow-leaved cattail rhizome flour (Typha angustifolia L.) prevents intestinal inflammation in the trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid model of rat colitis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Dietary intervention with green dwarf banana flour (Musa sp AAA) prevents intestinal inflammation in a trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid model of rat colitis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Hypoglycaemic and antioxidant effects of onion, Allium cepa: dietary onion addition, antioxidant activity and hypoglycaemic effects on diabetic rats

The purpose of the present study was to discover the relative potency of onion, Allium cepa, with respect to its hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects on the diabetic situation, and the association of these effects with the potential against oxidative stress. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. A normal control ( group A), and a non-diabetic group ( group B) were treated daily with 1 ml A. cepa solution (0.4 g A. cepa/rat). Groups C and D were made diabetic by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) ( 60 mg/kg body weight) in citrate buffer ( pH 6.3). These animals ( groups C and D) were the STZ diabetic control and STZ diabetic rats with onion intake, respectively. Onion increased the fasting serum high-density lipoprotein levels, and demonstrated alleviation of hyperglycaemia in STZ diabetic rats. The hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic actions of A. cepa were associated with antioxidant activity, since onion decreased superoxide dismutase activities while no increased lipid hydroperoxide and lipoperoxide concentrations were observed in diabetic rats treated with A. cepa.

Doxazosin Treatment Alters Stromal Cell Behavior and Increases Elastic System Fibers Deposition in Rat Prostate

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of dietary protein supply on resistance to experimental infections with Haemonchus contortus in Ile de France and Santa Ines lambs

The effect of Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep fed with a moderate and high protein content diet was evaluated in two breeds of sheep. Forty-eight Ile de France and Santa Ines lambs were maintained indoors since birth, in worm-free conditions. The lambs were allocated after weaning in four groups of six animals per breed, which were either infected or remain uninfected and given access to either a moderately or highly metabolizable protein diet. The moderately and highly metabolizable protein diets were calculated to supply 75 and 129 g metabolizable protein per kg of dry matter (MP/kg DM), respectively. The infection consisted of a trickle infection with 300 infective larvae, three times a week, for 12 weeks. Significant differences were observed for mast cell, globule leukocyte and eosinophil counts in the abomasal mucosa of the infected groups compared to the control of both breeds (P < 0.05), regardless of the diet supplied. Significantly higher IgA anti-L5 antibody was detected in the infected Santa Ines groups than in the infected Ile de France groups (P < 0.05). Increased metabolizable protein supply resulted in larger body weight gain and higher packed cell volumes for both breeds (P < 0.05). Both breeds showed an increased ability to withstand the pathophysiological effects of H. contortus infection when given access to the highly metabolizable protein diet. However, increased metabolizable protein supply resulted in reduced worm burdens in Santa Ines lambs but not in the Ile de France lambs (P < 0.05). The present results show that the increase in protein content in growing lamb diets may benefit resistance and resilience to gastrointestinal parasites but that these benefits may vary among breeds. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Beneficial effects of dietary copper supplementation on serum lipids and antioxidant defenses in rats

Background: A nutrition experiment was utilized to investigate the effects of two levels of dietary copper (Cu) supplementation on lipid profile and antioxidant defenses in serum of rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats (180-200 g; n = 10) were divided into three groups: control group (A), fed a basal diet with 6 mu g Cu/g, and rats fed a basal diet with Cu (CuSO4) supplementation from aqueous solutions, for 4 weeks at the final concentrations of 2 mg Cu/rat (B) and 3 mg Cu/rat (C). Results: No significant changes were observed in final body weight, body weight gain, food consumption, total serum protein and high-density lipoprotein. Cu supplementation reduced the triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C). The LDL-C/TG ratio and total antioxidant substances (TAS) were higher in (B) and (C) groups than in (A) group. There was a positive correlation between Cu supplementation and ceruloplasmin levels. The markers of oxidative stress, lipid hydroperoxide and lipoperoxide were decreased with Cu supplementation. No alterations were observed in superoxide dismutase, indicating saturation of Cu enzyme site. The glutathione peroxidase activities (GSH-Px) were increased in both Cu-supplemented groups. Considering that a copper-selenium interaction can affect mineral availability of both elements, the effects of Cu on TAS and GSH-Px activities were associated with increased selenium disposal. Conclusions: Dietary Cu supplementation had beneficial effects on lipid profile by improving endogenous antioxidant defenses and decreasing the oxidative stress in vivo. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The influence of UV-C irradiation on the properties of thermoplastic starch and polycaprolactone biocomposite with sisal bleached fibers

The effect of UV-C irradiation of the TPS and PCL biocomposites with sisal bleached fibers was investigated. The biocomposite was UV-C irradiated at room temperature under air atmosphere. The structural and morphological changes produced when the films were exposed to UV irradiation for 142 h, were monitored using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Mechanical Tensile Tests, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infra-red analysis (FTIR). Addition of 5-10% fibers in composites exhibited improved mechanical and thermal properties attributed to more efficient dispersibility of fiber in the matrix and good compatibility between fibers and the matrix polymer, however, after irradiated, the tensile properties decreased due to chain scission. The samples of irradiated PCL and IFS showed crystallinity increase, whereas the blend and composites showed a decrease in crystallinity. The DSC and X-ray diffraction studies suggested interaction between polymers in the blend via carboxyl groups in thermoplastic starch-PCL and hydroxyl groups in fibers. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Morphological changes in distant muscle fibers following thermal injury in Wistar rats

Purpose: Thermal injury causes catabolic processes as the body attempts to repair the damaged area. This study evaluated the effects of a scald injury on the morphology of muscle fibers belonging to a muscle distant from the lesion. Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were divided into control (C) and scalded (S) groups. Group S was scalded over 45% of the body surface, standardized by body weight. Rats in both groups were euthanized at four, seven and 14 days following the injury. The middle portions of the medial gastrocnemius muscles were sectioned, stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Picrosirius, and submitted to histological analysis. Results: Control group sections exhibited equidistantly distributed polygonal muscle fibers with peripheral nuclei, characteristic of normal muscle. The injured group sections did not consistently show these characteristics; many fibers in these sections exhibited a rounded contour, variable stain intensities, and greater interfiber distances. A substantially increased amount of connective tissue was also observed on the injured group sections. Conclusion: This experimental model found a morphological change in muscle distant from the site of thermal injury covering 45% of the body surface.

Dietary restriction, caloric value and the accumulation of hepatic fat

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Differential distribution of some extracellular matrix fibers in an experimentally denervated rat megaileum

Absence of enteric neurons is associated with thickening of the intestinal muscularis externa in Chagas' disease. The thickening is due to hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the smooth muscle cells and increased extracellular matrix components. The influence of the nervous system on the structure of the smooth muscle cells and its associated matrix has been poorly investigated. An experimental model of denervation of the ileum in rats was performed by application of the surfactant agent benzalkonium chloride that selectively destroys the myenteric plexus. Three months later, ileal tissue samples were obtained and studied by histochemistry and transmission electron microsocopy. Sham operated rats were used as controls. The diameter of collagen fibrils was evaluated in electron micrographs. The histopathological analysis showed thickening of the muscular layer. The thin and weakly arranged collagen and reticulin fibers surrounding the smooth muscle cells, observed in control cases by Picrosirius polarization (PSP) stain method, corresponded to a population of loosely packed thin collagen fibrils of uniform diameters (mean = 29.16 nm) at the ultrastructural level. In contrast, the thick and strongly birefringent fibers around the muscle cells, observed in the treated group, stained by PSP, corresponded to densely packed thicker fibrils with large variation in diameter (mean = 39.41 nm). Comparison of the data demonstrated statistically significant difference between the groups suggesting that the replacement of loosely arranged reticulin fibers by fibrous tissue (with typical collagen fiber), may alter the biomechanical function resulting in impairment of muscular contraction. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of myenteric denervation on extracellular matrix fibers and mast cell distribution in normal stomach and gastric lesions

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)