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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2015In this communication, we report the springtime variation of the composition of aristolochic acids (AAs) in Aristolochia chilensis leaves and stems. The dominant AA in...
In this communication, we report the springtime variation of the composition of aristolochic acids (AAs) in Aristolochia chilensis leaves and stems. The dominant AA in the leaves of all samples, which were collected between October and December, was AA-I (1), and its concentration varied between 212.6±3.8 and 145.6±1.2 mg/kg and decreased linearly. This decrease occurred in parallel with the increase in AA-Ia (5) concentration from 15.9±0.8 mg/kg at the beginning of October to 96.8±7.8 mg/kg in mid-December. Both acids are enzymatically related by methylation-demethylation reactions. Other AAs also showed important variations: AA-II (2) significantly increased in concentration, reaching a maximum in the first two weeks of November and subsequently decreasing in mid-December to approximately the October levels. The principal component in the AA mixture of the stems was also AA-I (1); similar to AA-II (2), its concentration increased beginning in October, peaked in the second week of November and subsequently decreased. The concentrations of AA-IIIa (6) and AA-IVa (7) in the leaves and stems varied throughout the study period, but no clear pattern was identified. Based on the variation of AAs in A. chilensis leaves and stems during the study period, the reduced contents of non-phenolic AAs and increased concentrations of phenolic AAs are likely associated with a decrease in this plant's toxicity during the spring.
Topics: Aristolochia; Aristolochic Acids; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Plant Stems; Seasons
PubMed: 26580587
DOI: 10.3390/molecules201119704 -
British Journal of Pharmacology Sep 19711. In agreement with previous findings on whole brain, the intraperitoneal injection of hydrocortisone, DL-alpha-methyltryptophan or L-kynurenine decreased the...
Regional and subcellular changes in the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the rat brain caused by hydrocortisone, DL- -methyl-tryptophan l-kynurenine and immobilization.
1. In agreement with previous findings on whole brain, the intraperitoneal injection of hydrocortisone, DL-alpha-methyltryptophan or L-kynurenine decreased the concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in different regions of the rat brain.2. Hydrocortisone caused similar decreases in the concentrations of both 5-HT and 5-HIAA, suggesting decreased 5-HT synthesis.3. Changes in the concentration of 5-HIAA after hydrocortisone corresponded significantly to those after alpha-methyltryptophan. Changes in the concentration of 5-HT did not correspond, possibly due to falsely high 5-HT values because of interfering material derived from alpha-methyltryptophan.4. In general, kynurenine caused larger decreases in the concentration of 5-HT than in the concentration of 5-HIAA.5. In agreement with previous findings with whole brain, immobilization of rats for 5 h decreased the concentration of 5-HT and increased that of 5-HIAA in most brain regions.6. The order of the percentage decreases in the concentrations of 5-HIAA 6 h after hydrocortisone injection was, in decreasing order: hypothalamus, striatum, cerebellum, mid-brain, pons + medulla and cortex. The percentage increases after immobilization for 5 h were in the reverse order.7. The differences between the percentage decreases in the concentration of 5-HIAA after hydrocortisone and the percentage increases after immobilization were very similar in all regions except the hypothalamus. This is consistent with immobilization stress increasing the firing rate of 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones similarly in different regions.8. During the first 3 h of immobilization the concentrations of 5-HIAA in the hypothalamus and in the rest of the brain increased approximately in parallel. Between 3 and 5 h, 5-HIAA returned to control concentrations in the hypothalamus while continuing to rise in the rest of the brain.9. Relative changes in the concentration of 5-HT in particulate and supernatant fractions after the various treatments were comparable except 2 h after kynurenine injection when the concentration 5-HT fell in the particulate but not in the supernatant fraction. The concentration of 5-HT did fall in the latter, though more slowly than in the former fraction, suggesting a concentration of amine synthesizing organelles in particulate material.
Topics: Animals; Basal Ganglia; Brain; Brain Chemistry; Cerebellum; Cerebral Cortex; Hydrocortisone; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; Hypothalamus; Immobilization; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Kynurenine; Medulla Oblongata; Mesencephalon; Neurons; Pons; Rats; Serotonin
PubMed: 5136463
DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1971.tb07155.x -
Frontiers in Physiology 2020Intestinal environments such as microbiota, mucosal barrier function, and cytokine production affect egg production in laying hens. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) is an...
Intestinal environments such as microbiota, mucosal barrier function, and cytokine production affect egg production in laying hens. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) is an agent that disrupts the intestinal environment. Previously, we reported that the oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS: 0.9 g/kg BW) for 5 days caused severe intestinal inflammation in laying hens. However, the DSS concentration in the previous study was much higher to induce a milder disruption of the intestinal environment without heavy symptoms. Thus, the goal of this study was to determine the effects of a lower dose of DSS on the intestinal environment and egg production in laying hens. White Leghorn laying hens (330-day old) were oral administered with or without 0.225 g DSS/kg BW for 28 days (DSS and control group: = 7 and 8, respectively). Weekly we collected all laid eggs and blood plasma samples. Intestinal tissues, liver, ovarian follicles, and the anterior pituitary gland were collected 1 day after the final treatment. Lower concentrations of orally administered DSS caused (1) a decrease in the ratio of villus height/crypt depth, gene expressions in large intestine and cecal microbiota diversity, (2) a decrease in egg yolk weight, (3) an increase in VLDLy in blood plasma, (4), and enhanced the egg yolk precursor accumulation in the gene expression pattern in the follicular granulosa layer, (5) an increase in and β gene expression in the pituitary gland, and (6) an increase in concentration of plasma lipopolysaccharide binding protein. These results suggested that the administration of the lower concentration of DSS caused a slight disruption in the intestinal environment. This disruption included poor intestinal morphology and decreased cecal microbiome diversity. The change in the intestinal environment decreases egg yolk size without decreasing the VLDLy supply from the liver. The decrease in egg yolk size is likely to be caused by the dysfunction of egg-yolk precursor uptake in ovarian follicles. In conclusion, the oral administration of a lower dose of DSS is an useful method to cause slight disruptions of intestinal environment, and the intestinal condition decreases egg yolk size through disfunction of ovarian follicle.
PubMed: 33519513
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.607369 -
Journal of Experimental Botany Jun 2018Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations are leading to increases in dissolved CO2 and HCO3- concentrations and decreases in pH and CO32- in the world's oceans. There...
Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations are leading to increases in dissolved CO2 and HCO3- concentrations and decreases in pH and CO32- in the world's oceans. There remain many uncertainties as to the magnitude of biological responses of key organisms to these chemical changes. In this study, we established the relationship between photosynthetic carbon fixation rates and pH, CO2, and HCO3- concentrations in the diazotroph, Trichodesmium erythraeum IMS101. Inorganic 14C-assimilation was measured in TRIS-buffered artificial seawater medium where the absolute and relative concentrations of CO2, pH, and HCO3- were manipulated. First, we varied the total dissolved inorganic carbon concentration (TIC) (<0 to ~5 mM) at constant pH, so that ratios of CO2 and HCO3- remained relatively constant. Second, we varied pH (~8.54 to 7.52) at constant TIC, so that CO2 increased whilst HCO3- declined. We found that 14C-assimilation could be described by the same function of CO2 for both approaches, but it showed different dependencies on HCO3- when pH was varied at constant TIC than when TIC was varied at constant pH. A numerical model of the carbon-concentrating mechanism (CCM) of Trichodesmium showed that carboxylation rates are modulated by HCO3- and pH. The decrease in assimilation of inorganic carbon (Ci) at low CO2, when TIC was varied, was due to HCO3- uptake limitation of the carboxylation rate. Conversely, when pH was varied, Ci assimilation declined due to a high-pH mediated increase in HCO3- and CO2 leakage rates, potentially coupled to other processes (uncharacterised within the CCM model) that restrict Ci assimilation rates under high-pH conditions.
Topics: Carbon; Carbon Dioxide; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Photosynthesis; Trichodesmium
PubMed: 29659983
DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ery141 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2022Faba bean ( L. ) is an emerging plant-based ingredient due to its environmental, nutritional and functional benefits. However, like other pulses, it exhibits many...
Faba bean ( L. ) is an emerging plant-based ingredient due to its environmental, nutritional and functional benefits. However, like other pulses, it exhibits many off-flavours that limit its consumption. Little is known about the flavour of faba beans, and previous studies have focused on volatile compounds and the overall flavour. In the present study, xanthan gum gels were formulated with crude or heated protein concentrates from three faba bean cultivars and with the addition of oil and/or salt. A trained panel analysed the sensory properties of these gels, and a consumer test was carried out to assess their acceptability. The gels formulated with crude protein concentrates exhibited bitterness and green, metallic and rancid notes that decreased consumer appreciation. The heat treatment promoted pleasant notes such as potato, cereal and haricot bean notes and attenuated the most penalising descriptors associated with off-flavours. Cultivar 2 was characterised by fewer off-flavours and should be preferred over the other cultivars for the formulation of faba bean products. This work provides information on the sensory properties of different cultivars of faba bean concentrates and information likely to help improve their acceptability in the context of the formulation of food intended for humans.
PubMed: 36230094
DOI: 10.3390/foods11193018 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jun 2022Exploring suitable alternatives for high-cost concentrate feeds is a critical factor for successful livestock production. The present experiment aimed to evaluate the...
Replacing the Concentrate Feed Mixture with Leaves Silage and Microalgae Mixture in Diets of Damascus Goats: Lactation Performance, Nutrient Utilization, and Ruminal Fermentation.
Exploring suitable alternatives for high-cost concentrate feeds is a critical factor for successful livestock production. The present experiment aimed to evaluate the dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera silage and Chlorella vulgaris microalgae (at 1% of total diet, DM basis) in a quintuplicate 3 × 3 Latin square design for milk production performance, nutrient utilization and ruminal fermentation in Damascus goats. Fifteen lactating Damascus goats were divided into three groups to be fed a diet composed of a concentrate mixture and rice straw at 60:40 (DM basis) in the control group and fed for 30 days in each period. The concentrate mixture in the control treatment was replaced with M. oleifera silage and C. vulgaris microalgae at 20% (MA20 treatment) or 40% (MA40 treatment). Treatments did not affect total feed intake but increased (p < 0.01) crude protein (CP) and fiber intakes while decreasing nonstructural carbohydrates intake. The digestibility of CP and acid detergent fiber increased due to silage supplementation compared to the control treatment. Treatments increased (p < 0.05) ruminal pH and the concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and propionate; however, they decreased (p < 0.05) the concentrations of ammonia-N. Treatments increased (p < 0.05) the concentrations of serum glucose and antioxidant capacity. Both MA20 and MA40 treatments increased the daily milk production, the concentrations of milk fat and lactose, and feed efficiency compared to the control treatment. Additionally, MA20 and MA40 treatments increased the proportions of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and total conjugated linoleic acids. It is concluded that the concentrate feed mixture in the diet of lactating goats can be replaced up to 40% (equals to 24% of total diet) with M. oleifera silage to improve feed intake and nutrient utilization, and milk production performance.
PubMed: 35739926
DOI: 10.3390/ani12121589 -
Journal of Animal Science Nov 2017The objective of this study was to determine bacterial community profiles of the equine cecum in response to abrupt inclusion of varying levels of dietary starch. Seven...
The objective of this study was to determine bacterial community profiles of the equine cecum in response to abrupt inclusion of varying levels of dietary starch. Seven cecally cannulated Quarter Horse geldings (497 to 580 kg) were used in a crossover design with two 28-d periods and a 28-d washout between each. Horses were randomly assigned to dietary treatments consisting of a commercial concentrate offered as fed at either 0.6 (low starch [LS]) or 1.2% BW (high starch [HS]) daily that was divided into 2 meals at 12-h intervals. Prior to the start of each period, horses were allowed ad libitum access to coastal bermudagrass () hay. Concentrate was fed on d 1 with no adaptation. Cecal fluid was collected on d 1 at h 0 and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 h relative to the initial concentrate meal on d 1. Additional samples were collected 6 h after feeding on d 2, 3, and 7 of each period. Cecal contents were used to determine pH and VFA concentrations and extract microbial DNA. The V4 through V6 region of 16S rRNA gene was amplified using PCR and sequenced on the Roche 454 FLX platform. Sequence analysis was performed with QIIME, and data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Cecal pH tended to decrease ( = 0.09) in horses fed HS in the first 12 h after the first concentrate meal and remained lower ( ≤ 0.05) the following 7 d. Total VFA were greater ( ≤ 0.05) in horses fed HS in the initial 12 h and 7 d after addition of concentrate. Species richness determined using the Chao1 index was unchanged ( > 0.20) over the initial 12 h and decreased ( = 0.01) over 7 d for both treatments. Community diversity determined using the Shannon index tended to decrease ( = 0.06) over the 7 d. Relative abundances of Paraprevotellaceae were greater ( ≤ 0.05) in HS in the first 12 h. Over 7 d, relative abundances of Paraprevotellaceae, Veillonellaceae, and Succinivibrionaceae were greater ( ≤ 0.05) in HS compared with LS. Abrupt and short-term exposure to dietary starch does alter cecal fermentation and microbial community structure in horses, but the impact on horse health is unknown.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Bacteria; Cecum; Diet; Dietary Carbohydrates; Digestion; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Fermentation; Horses; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Microbiota; Starch
PubMed: 29293739
DOI: 10.2527/jas2017.1754 -
Food Science of Animal Resources Mar 2020Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a lipid carrier in mammals including humans that consists mainly of polar lipids, like phospholipids and glycolipids. In this study,...
Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a lipid carrier in mammals including humans that consists mainly of polar lipids, like phospholipids and glycolipids. In this study, a process to enrich polar lipids in commercial butter and whey powder, including polar lipids of MFGM, was developed. WPC (whey protein concentrate) 60 was selected as the most suitable raw material based on the yield, phospholipid, protein, and lactose content of the polar lipid fraction obtained by ethanol extraction of two WPC (WPC60 and WPC70) and two buttermilk (A and B). After fractionation under optimum conditions, the polar-lipid enriched fraction from WPC60 contained 38.56% phospholipids. The content of glycolipids, cerebroside, lactosylceramide, ganglioside GM3, ganglioside GD3, was 0.97%, 0.55%, 0.09%, and 0.14%, respectively. Rancimat results showed that the oxidation stability of fish oil increased with an increase in the polar-lipid fraction by more than 30 times. In addition, the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α decreased in a concentration-dependent manner after treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with 0.1 to 100 ppm of the polar lipid fraction. In this study, polar lipid concentrates with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, were prepared from milk processing by-products. The MFGM polar lipid concentrates made from by-products are not only additives for infants, but are also likely to be used as antioxidants in cooking oils and as active ingredients for functional foods.
PubMed: 32161916
DOI: 10.5851/kosfa.2020.e5 -
Behavioural Pharmacology Jun 2012Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 7-keto DHEA, and several comparison drugs (ethanol, chlordiazepoxide, rauwolscine, and RO15-4513) were administered to male rats... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 7-keto DHEA, and several comparison drugs (ethanol, chlordiazepoxide, rauwolscine, and RO15-4513) were administered to male rats responding under a multiple schedule of food and ethanol presentation to determine their selectivity for decreasing ethanol-maintained responding. DHEA and 7-keto DHEA significantly decreased both ethanol-maintained and food-maintained responding, compared with the control, while also decreasing the blood ethanol concentration (BEC). Acute ethanol administration also decreased responding for both food and ethanol; however, ethanol-maintained responding was more potently decreased than food-maintained responding. BEC remained relatively stable after increasing ethanol doses. Among the other drugs tested, RO15-4513 was the most selective for decreasing ethanol-maintained responding compared with food-maintained responding, and it decreased BECs as ethanol-maintained responding decreased. The largest dose of rauwolscine significantly decreased responding for food, whereas it did not affect ethanol-maintained responding compared with the control. Low to intermediate doses of rauwolscine produced small, nonsignificant increases in ethanol-maintained responding and BECs. Chlordiazepoxide produced significant decreases in food-maintained responding and the dose of ethanol presented, but only at the highest dose tested. Although DHEA and 7-keto DHEA did not decrease ethanol-maintained responding as selectively as ethanol or RO15-4513 under the multiple schedule, these neurosteroids may be valuable pharmacological tools in the development of new treatments for alcohol abuse and dependence.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Animals; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Ethanol; Male; Rats; Rats, Long-Evans; Reinforcement, Psychology; Yohimbine
PubMed: 22473025
DOI: 10.1097/FBP.0b013e32835342d2 -
Hypertension Research : Official... Jul 2002Experimental studies suggest that some long-acting calcium antagonists decrease glomerular hypertension and suppress the progression of nephropathy, but clinical...
Experimental studies suggest that some long-acting calcium antagonists decrease glomerular hypertension and suppress the progression of nephropathy, but clinical evidence is lacking. To investigate clinically whether a long-acting calcium antagonist, benidipine, lowers glomerular capillary hydraulic pressure via a decrease in efferent arteriolar resistance and decreases proteinuria, we examined hypertensive patients with nondiabetic nephropathy. The subjects were 7 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis or glomerulosclerosis. Before and during the administration of benidipine (4 mg/day), systemic pressure, glomerular hemodynamics, the sodium sensitivity index (reciprocal of the pressure-natriuresis curve), and urinary excretion of proteins (total protein, albumin, and immunoglobulin G) were investigated. The glomerular hemodynamics in terms of glomerular capillary hydraulic pressure and resistance of afferent and efferent arterioles were calculated from the renal clearance, plasma total protein concentration, and pressure-natriuresis relationship. Benidipine lowered the mean arterial pressure from 105 +/-5 to 99 +/- 4 mm Hg (p = 0.002; mean +/- SD) and glomerular pressure from 48 +/- 8 to 39 +/- 5 mmHg (p = 0.006) by decreasing the resistance of efferent arterioles. Benidipine made the pressure-natriuresis curve steeper and decreased the median sodium sensitivity index from 0.099 (0.084 and 0.117; 25th and 75th percentiles) to 0.048 (0.017 and 0.058; p = 0.018). Urinary excretion of proteins did not change. Our clinical study showed that benidipine lowered the glomerular pressure by decreasing the resistance of efferent arterioles and decreased the sodium sensitivity of blood pressure, but did not affect proteinuria in patients with nondiabetic nephropathy.
Topics: Aged; Arterioles; Blood Pressure; Calcium Channel Blockers; Dihydropyridines; Female; Hemodynamics; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Glomerulus; Male; Middle Aged; Natriuresis; Proteinuria; Vascular Resistance
PubMed: 12358143
DOI: 10.1291/hypres.25.571