Changes of free radicals and digestive enzymes in saliva in cases with deficiency inspleen-yin syndrome

Objective：To explore the nature of deficiency in spleen-yin syndrome,which could provide scientific theoretical support and practical guidance for clinical Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM）syndrome differentiation based on biology,and had a strong clinical significance.Methods：Serum Cu and Zn were detected by atomic absorption spectrophotometer,serum vitamin E by high performance liquid chromatography,serum vitamin C by 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine Colorimetry,total superoxide dismutase（SOD）and Cu and Zn- SOD by the xanthine oxidase method,and malondialdehyde（MDA）by the 2-thiobarbituric acid method（TBA）.Total antioxidant capacity was detected by a colorimetry kit.Amylase Activity was detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer.Lysozyme was detected by lysozyme detection plate,the diameter of bacteriolysis circle was measured and the corresponding content of lysozyme was obtained from a table of standard curve values.Results： No significant difference in total SOD and Cu,Zn-SOD was found between deficiency in spleen-yin group and normal group.However,such factors in deficiency in kidney-yin group were significantly lower than the other groups（P〈0.05）.The MDA content in both deficiency in spleen-yin group and deficiency in kidney-yin group were significantly higher than that of normal group（P〈0.05）,while the total antioxidant capacity was significantly lower than normal group（P〈0.05）.The vitamin E content in deficiency in kidney-yin group was significantly lower than that in the other two groups（P〈0.05）.No significant difference in the contents of vitamin C,Cu and Zn were observed in these groups.The Zn/Cu level in deficiency in kidney-yin group and the vitamin E level in deficiency in spleen-yin group decreased,but with no significant difference.Amylase activity in unit time in cases with deficiency in spleen-yin was lower than and had significant differences with that in normal cases,and higher than that in cases with deficiency in kidney-yin.The sectional velocity of saliva and the ratio of lysozyme in normal case group were significantly higher than other two groups,while deficiency in the spleen-yin group was significantly higher than the deficiency in kidney-yin group.Conclusion：All the results indicated that the objective pathological mechanism between the deficiency in spleen-yin and deficiency in kidney-yin was different.

The Study on the Effects of Chinese Herbal Mixtures on Growth,Activity of Post-Ruminal Digestive Enzymes and Serum Antioxidant Status of Beef Cattle

Sixteen Limousin×Luxi crossbred beef cattle [（199.4±8.67） kg] were used to evaluate the effects of Chinese herbal mixtures （CHM） on growth, activities of post-ruminal digestive enzymes and serum antioxidant status of beef cattle. Treatments were control （no CHM supplementation） and three formulations of CHM （CHM-A, CHM-B and CHM-C） that were arranged as completely randomized design. The calves were fed in indoor individual feeding barn with total mixed ration for 90 d. The CHM-A, CHM-B, and CHM-C was incorporated into the diet at the level of 20 g kg-1 DM （dry matter） of concentrate. The cattle were weighted at the beginning, at the end and every 15 d between to determine growth rate. Blood sample was taken every 30 d to analyze activities of total superoxide dismutase （T-SOD） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-PX） and concentration of malondialdehyde （MDA）. The cattle were slaughtered at the end of experiment and chymus samples from various section of the post-ruminal digestive tract were collected to analyze enzymes activities. All cattle had similar average daily gain, but cattle supplemented with CHM-A tended faster growth （P=0.08） compared to the control and other CHM treatments. Supplementation of CHM did not affect pH of chymus in any section of the post-ruminal digestive tract. Activities of pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and lipase in chymus samples were enhanced （P0.05） to various extents by supplementation of CHM-A, CHM-B, and CHM-C depending on the enzymes and the site of the digestive tract. Amylase activity was increased only by CHM-A and CHM-C from chymus sample collected at the ileum. Supplementation of CHM-A and CHM-B reduced （P0.05） concentration of MDA, but did not affect GSH-PX activity in the serum of cattle throughout the entire experimental period. Cattle supplemented with CHM-B also had higher （P0.05） T-SOD activity in the serum at day 30 and 60 as compared with the control and the other two CHM treatments. Chinese herbal mixtures supplemented at the levels of 20 g kg-1 DM of concentrate increased post-ruminal digestive enzymes activity and enhanced serum antioxidant status. Inclusion of CHM-A and CHM-B in the diet may be favourable for ruminant production.

Co-localization hypothesis:A mechanism for the intrapancreatic activation of digestive enzymes during the early phases of acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is generally believed to be a disease in which the pancreas is injured by digestive enzymes that it normally produces. Most of the potentially harmful digestive enzymes produced by pancreatic acinar cells are synthesized and secreted as inactive zymogens which are normally activated only upon entry into the duodenum but, during the early stages of acute pancreatitis, those zymogens become prematurely activated within the pancreas and, presumably, that activation occurs within pancreatic acinar cells. The mechanisms responsible for intracellular activation of digestive enzyme zymogens have not been elucidated with certainty but, according to one widely recognized theory （the ＂co-localization hypothesis＂）, digestive enzyme zymogens are activated by lysosomal hydrolases when the two types of enzymes become co-localized within the same intracellular compartment. This review focuses on the evidence supporting the validity of the m-localization hypothesis as an explanation for digestive enzyme activation during the early stages of pancreatitis. The findings, summarized in this review, support the conclusion that co-localization of lysosomal hydrolases with digestive enzyme zymogens plays a critical role in permitting the intracellular activation of digestive enzymes that leads to acinar cell injury and pancreatitis.

Effect of Using Baker＇s Yeast and Exogenous Digestive Enzymes as Growth Promoters on Growth, Feed Utilization and Hematological Indices of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus Fingerlings

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of baker yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae （SC） and exogenous digestive enzymes （pepsin, papain and a-amylase, EDE） dietary supplementation on growth performance, feed utilization and hematological indices of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. A total of 630 Nile tilapia fingerlings with an average body weight of 26.4 ± 0.2 g were divided in the seven experimental net-pen treatments （three replicates each）. The experiment was conducted for 119 days. Seven isonitrogenous （26.50%） digestible protein and isocaloric （13.40 MJ kgl） digestible energy experimental diets were formulated. The control diet had no SC and EDE added. Diets 2-3 each contained SC at levels of 2 and 4 g 100 g diet-t, respectively, while diets 4-5 each contained EDE at levels of （0.64, 1.28, 0.16） and （1.28, 2.56, 0.32） g 100 gdiefI of pepsin, papain and a-amylase, respectively. Diet 6 contained mixture of SC and EDE at levels of 1 g yeast and 0.32, 0.64, 0.08 g of pepsin, papain and a-amylase, respectively 100 gdiet1 and diet D7 contained 2 g yeast and 0.64, 1.28, 0.16 g of pepsin, papain and a-amylase, respectively 100 g dietl. Growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of Nile tilapia were significantly （P 〈 0.05） higher in all treatments receiving SC and/or EDE supplemented-diets than the control diet which suggests that the addition of SC and EDE enhanced the growth performance. Red blood cells counts, hematocrit and hemoglobin were significantly （P 〈 0.05） highest in all treatments receiving mixture of SC and EDE supplemented-diets （D6 ＋ D7）. The same trend was observed for total plasma protein and total plasma globulin levels. The results of present study suggested that Nile tilapia fingerlings fed diets containing the mixture of I g yeast, SC and 0.32, 0.64, 0.08 g of pepsin, papain and a-amylase, respectively 100 gdiet^-1, for 119 days had enhanced growth performance, diet utilization efficiency and hematological indices.

Senna petersiana inhibits key digestive enzymes and modulates dysfunctional enzyme activities in oxidative pancreatic injury

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Senna petersiana leaf extracts on key digestive enzymes and FeSO_(4)-induced oxidative injury.Methods:Dried Senna petersiana leaf powder(60 g)was defatted in n-hexane and then extracted sequentially at room temperature with dichloromethane,methanol,and distilled water.The total phytochemical content of the extracts was estimated using established methods.The in vitro antioxidant,anti-lipase,and antidiabetic activities and the effect of the extracts on intestinal glucose absorption and FeSO_(4)-induced pancreatic oxidative injury were determined using different protocols.Moreover,GC-MS analysis was performed to identify the main compounds of the plant extract.Molecular docking analysis was also carried out to evaluate the binding energy of compounds with digestive enzymes.Results:Senna petersiana leaf extracts showed significant antioxidant activities in FRAP,DPPH,and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays.They also inhibited pancreatic lipase and lowered intestinal glucose absorption by suppressing activities ofα-amylase andα-glucosidase.Treatment with the extracts also lowered lipid peroxidation(malondialdehyde),nitric oxide level,acetylcholinesterase,and ATPase activities with simultaneous improvement of antioxidant(catalase,superoxide dismutase,glutathione)capacity in the type 2 diabetes model of oxidative pancreatic injury.GC-MS characterization of the extracts revealed the presence of stilbenoids,alkaloids,and other compounds.Molecular docking screening assay indicated the extract phytochemicals showed strong interaction with the active site amino acids of the targeted digestive enzymes.Among the Senna petersiana compounds,veratramine had the highest affinity forα-amylase and lipase,whereas dihydrostilbestrol was most attracted toα-glucosidase.Conclusions:Senna petersiana inhibits carbohydrate digestive enzymes,reduces intestinal glucose absorption,and exerts ameliorative effects on FeSO_(4)-induced oxidative pancreatic injury with significant antioxidant capabilities.Detailed in vivo studies are underway to understand the plant's therapeutic potential in diabetes management.

Changes of visceral properties and digestive enzymes in the herbivorous marine teleost Siganus canaliculatus fed on different diets

The rabbitfish Siganus canaliculatus is one of the few cultured herbivorous marine teleosts. To better understand the digestive physiology of this fish and provide data for designing formulated feed using macroalgae as an ingredient, the changes of visceral properties and digestive enzyme activities were investigated after the juveniles were fed on different types of food including raw fish（RF）, formulated diet（FD） or macroalgae Enteromorpha prolifra（EP） and Gracilaria lemaneiformis（GL） for eight weeks. The results showed that the hepatosomatic and viscerosomatic indices in the RF and FD groups, as well as the relative intestine length（RIL） in the EP and GL groups, were significantly higher than those in other groups. Additionally, differences in the histological structure of the liver and anterior intestine were also observed among different dietary groups. The hepatic nuclei were displaced to the periphery by lipid inclusions in fish fed RF. The highest levels of mucosal folds were found in the anterior intestines of fish fed macroalgae. Digestive enzyme activity profiles showed obvious fluctuations in the first three weeks, and then leveled off in the following weeks. The levels of protease, lipase and α-amylase in the alimentary tract showed changes related to the levels of dietary protein, lipid and carbohydrate, respectively.Although macroalgae significantly inhibited the activity of protease in the stomach, it increased RIL and the number of mucosal folds in the anterior intestine so as to compensate for the influences on protease activities in the stomach. This study suggests that the digestive tract of rabbitfish can well adapt to different diets, and needs about three weeks to physiologically acclimatize to the nutritional status, thus implying that rabbitfish are somewhat omnivorous.

Effects of Using Exogenous Digestive Enzymes or Natural Enhancer Mixture on Growth, Feed Utilization, and Body Composition of Rabbitfish, Siganus rivulatus

This study was conducted to study the effects of a commercial exogenous digestive enzymes （EDE） containing cellulases, xylanases, u-amylase and proteases from anaerobic bacterium and natural enhancer mixture （NEM） containing allicin, high unit hydrolytic enzyme, Bacillus subtilis spores and ginseng extracts on survival, growth, carcass composition and feed cost/benefit in rabbitfish, Siganus rivulatus. Nine net cages （100 cm × 100 cm × 40 cm; L ×W ×H） were stocked with 10 juvenile rabbitfish （1.1 g per fish） each and placed in a large rectangular tank and offered feed at 4% body weight daily. Three replicates per treatment were offered three isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets, control and two supplemented diets with EDE or NEM at 2 g/kg diet for 74 days. Fish in all cages were weighed at two-week intervals and feed regimen was adjusted accordingly. Rabbitfish offered the control diet exhibited lower growth significantly （P 〈 0.05） and feed utilization than the other two experimental treatments. Experimental diet supplemented with NEM recorded the highest growth performance, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, net protein utilization and energy retention significantly （P 〈 0.05） than the other two tested groups. Carcass composition and somatic parameters index was not affected by dietary EDE or NEM inclusion. Ultimately, when all variables are considered, EDE and NEM inclusion to diets appears to reduce feed cost per unit growth of rabbitfish.

Effects of different levels of sweet potato in feeds on body composition and digestive enzymes activities of A postichopus japonicas Selenka

The aim of this study was to test the ef fects of including sweet potato tuber and stem powder in feed on the body composition and digestive enzyme activities of the sea cucumber A postichopus japonicas Selenka. Dif ferent proportions of sweet potato tuber and stem powders(from 10% to 50%) were added into compound feeds, which were supplied to A. japonicas during a 60-day experiment. The results showed that the two sweet potato ingredients had different eff ects on the nutrient contents of the sea cucumber body wall. The group supplied with feed containing 20% sweet potato tuber powder(T2) had the highest level of crude protein in body walls(P <0.05), while there were no significant dif ferences in the moisture and ash contents of body walls among the groups(P >0.05). In all the groups fed with powdered sweet potato tubers(T groups), the proportions of glutamic acid and lysine in body walls were higher than those in the control, whereas the proportion of methionine decreased slightly. Diff erent proportions of sweet potato ingredients in compound feeds also af fected digestive enzyme activities in the sea cucumbers. The activities of protease and lipase first increased and then gradually decreased with increasing proportions of sweet potato materials in the feed. The highest protease activity was in the T2 and the group and the highest lipase activity was in the 10% sweet potato stem(S1) group. These results show that feed components can stimulate digestive enzyme activities in sea cucumber, and that the proportions of tubers and stems of sweet potato in feed can be adjusted to improve the digestion and growth of A. japonicas in marine farms.

Development Study on Some Digestive Enzymes of Takifugu rubripes Larvae and Juvenile

The activities of some digestive enzymes are studied for Takifugu rubripes larvae and juvenile from the first feeding to 27 d after hatching at selected stages of development. The homogenate of whole larvae body is used for enzymatic determination. Activity of acid protease decreases notably during the beginning days after the commencement of completely exogenous feeding and the days before the beginning of the juvenile stage. Alkaline protease specific activity also decreases at metamorphosis. The activities are associated with the morphology of the developing digestive tract. Amylase activity increases before the first feeding, followed by a decreasing and then a rather constant level. Lipase activity remains low during the larvae and juvenile periods. Alkaline phosphatase activity increases gradually. This reflects the development of brush border membranes of enterocytes.

Effect of digestive enzymes and pH on variation of bioavailability of green tea during simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

To exam ine the effect of digestive attributes such as digestive enzymes and pH on changes in phenolic compound content and antioxidant activity during digestion,the bioavailability of green tea infusion was investigated using a simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model.The total polyphenol content(TPC)decreased to 65%–70%throughout the mimicked normal digestion(MD)compared to the initial value.The total flavonoid content(TFC)decreased to approximately 25%after starting the gastric stage(pH 1.2);however,it regained to approximately 60%in the intestinal stage(pH 6.8).The mimicked digestive condition without digestive enzymes(WOE),which followed only the pH conditions of MD,showed significantly lower TPC and TFC values than MD.The percentage of antioxidant activity based on the initial values indexed by DPPH,ABTS,and FRAP gradually declined from approximately 60%at the gastric stage to approximately 40%at the final digestion stage.Meanwhile,the percentage of residual MIC was around 50%at the gastric stage.However,it gradually increased at the intestinal stage.The significantly lower antioxidant activity showed for WOE than MD throughout the simulated digestion.This study demonstrated that digestive enzymes and pH play a crucial role in the bioavailability of green tea infusion.

Effects of BDE-209 exposure on growth performance, intestinal digestive enzymes, and intestinal microbiome in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Polybrominated diphenyl ether has become a widespread environmental pollutant in aquatic environments.BDE-209,a prominent PBDEs found in the environment and wildlife,has been proven to cause oxidative stress,immune damage and endocrine system disorders in fish.However,the effects of BDE-209 on the intestinal health of fish remain unclear.This research aimed to determine the effects of BDE-209 on the growth performance,digestive enzymes activities and intestinal microbiota of common carp.After 60-day exposure,the growth performance of common carp were remarkably decreased(P<0.05).Moreover,the levels of protease,amylase and lipase activities remarkably decreased by BDE-209 exposure(P<0.05).In addition,metagenomics analysis revealed that the alpha-diversity values of intestinal microbiota were significantly decreased in BDE-209 exposure groups(P<0.05).The results also indicated that BDE-209 exposure could alter the intestinal microbial compositions.At the phylum level,the proportion of Fusobacteria was markedly reduced(P<0.05),while the proportions of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were significantly increased(P<0.05)along with the increasing concentrations of BDE-209.At the genus level,the proportion of Shewanella was higher(P<0.05)in BDE-209 exposure groups than in control group,while the abundance of Cetobacterium showed an opposite trend.Furthermore,the proportions of some aquatic probiotics(such as Bacillus,Rhodopseudomonas and Lactobacillus)were significantly enriched(P<0.05)in control group,and the content of short-chain fatty acid producing bacterium(such as Faecalibacterium,Bacteroides and Clostridium)were decreased along with the increasing BDE-209 concentrations,but no significant differences were found among the four groups(P>0.05).Overall,exposure to BDE-209 could alter the intestinal microbiota of common carp,which may affect their growth and threaten their health.

Growth rate,body composition, digestive enzymes and transaminase activities,and plasma ammonia concentration of different weight Jian carp(Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

The present study investigated the effect of body weight on body composition, digestive and absorptive capacity, transaminase activities in hepatopancreas and muscle, and plasma ammonia concentration of Jian carp(Cyprinus carpio var.Jian). A total of 750 Jian carps(18.0 ± 0.2 g) were randomly distributed into five groups with three replicates and fed the same diet for 56 days. Tissue and plasma samples were collected on days 14, 28,42, and 56. The results were used to develop a mathematical model for specific growth rate, body moisture and fat content, aspartate transaminase activity and alanine aminotransferase activity in hepatopancreas and muscle, plasma ammonia concentration, and trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, and amylase activities in hepatopancreas and intestine, activities of creatine kinase, Na^+/K^+-ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in intestine in Jian carp. There were linear relationships between natural logarithms of above indexes and body weight. The body moisture and fat content, digestive and absorptive enzymes activities, and transaminase activities showed negative allometry against body weight of Jian carp which were partial reasons to explain fish growth rate decreasing.

Studies on Digestive Enzymes in Alimentary Tract of Southern Sheatfish (Silurus meridionalis Chen) Larvae Ⅰ-Trypsin and Pepsin

The pepsin and trypsin activities and some of the properties of the two enzymes of southern sheatfish larvae were studied. The results were as follows: the highest level of trypsin activity is in the foregut in all measured tissues; from foregut to hindgut, trypsin activities decrease; the pH optimum of trypsin activity is pH9.0; the strongest pepsin activity is in the stomach; the proper density of haemoglobin for detecting pepsin activity is 1.0%. These data are useful in solving applied nutritional problems, such as the adequacy of artificial food to the digestive abilities of the fish.

Digestive enzyme and alkaline phosphatase activities during the early stages of Silurus soldatovi development

To provide a theoretical basis to improve the survival and growth rate and optimize diet of sheatfish （Silurus soldatovi）, the activities of certain digestive enzymes and alkaline phosphatases were investigated during larval development of one-ten day old individuals. Results indicated that sheatfish larva （～ three days after hatching） had high levels of alkaline protease activity, which peaked at five days old and dipped by eight days old, although the trend was generally upward. Acid protease activity at one-eight days old was low, after which it increased rapidly. Amylase activity reached the highest value at five days old, after which it began to decline. Lipase activity fluctuated markedly and showed two peaks at three-four days old and six-eight days old. Larval digestive enzyme activity and alkaline phosphatase activity were higher when fed live food than when fed an artificial diet. Throughout the early development process, alkaline protease activity was higher than acid protease, alkaline protease and amylase specific activity decreased significantly for eight-day-old transition larvae, while acid protease activity increased rapidly. These results indicate that the changes in digestive enzyme activity were relevant to digestive function conversion during fish larvae development. Alkaline phosphatase activity showed an upward trend over the first ten days of life, which indicated that the gastrointestinal function of sheatfish improved gradually.

Influence of Probiotics on the Growth and Digestive Enzyme Activity of White Pacific Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

The influence of Bacillus probiotics on the digestive enzyme activity and the growth of Litopenaeus vannamei were de- termined in this study. The shrimp was treated with five percentages (1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0 and 7.5) of probiotics (Bacillus spp.) supple- mented to the feed and cultured for 45 d. The growth measured as the weight gain at the end of culturing was significantly (P<0.05) higher in probiotic-treated shrimps than that of the control (without receiving probiotics). Activities of protease and amylase, two digestive enzymes of the midgut gland and the intestine were significantly (P<0.05) higher in probiotic-treated shrimp than in the control.

Fatty Acid Composition and Digestive Enzyme Activities of Rainbow Trout in Response to Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid(DHA)and Eicosapentaenoic Acid(EPA)During Salinity Acclimation

This physiological study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary docosahexaenoic acid(DHA)and eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA)on the fatty acid composition and digestive enzyme activities of rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss)during salinity acclimation.Rainbow trout with an average initial weight of 90.61 g±9.25 g were fed diets with the quantities of DHA and EPA equaling to 0.54%,0.95%,1.40%and 1.79%(abbreviated as DE-0.54,DE-0.95,DE-1.40,and DE-1.79,respectively)for eight weeks,after which the gastric and intestinal fatty acids composition were analyzed.Subsequently,the fish underwent salinity acclimation.On days 1,4,7,and 14 after the freshwater was replaced by seawater and at the end of the 8-week period,gastric and intestinal digestive enzyme activities were determined.The results showed that the gastric and intestinal DHA and EPA contents of the fish were positively correlated to their dietary DHA and EPA levels.Low dietary DHA and EPA levels inhibited the protease activity of rainbow trout.Fish in the DE-0.54 group increased the lipase activity to enhance the utilization of lipids maybe due to the inadequate essential fatty acids for fish in this group.Hence,rainbow trout in the DE-0.54 group failed to maintain suitable activities of digestive enzymes after salinity acclimation.Therefore,a diet with minimum 0.95%DHA and EPA levels is necessary for rainbow trout during salinity acclimation.

Effects of Dietary Carbohydrate Sources on Daily Weight Gain and Digestive Enzyme Activities of Juvenile Peanut Worm(Sipunculus nudus)

In the study,glucose,sucrose,dextrin,tapioca starch,potato starch,corn starch and gelatinized corn starch were selected to make the diets with same nitrogen and lipid,and Juvenile peanut worms( Sipunculus nudus) were fed with the diets came from different carbohydrate sources,effects of diets with different carbohydrate sources on daily weight gain and digestive enzyme activities of S. nudus were studied. Results showed that diets with different carbohydrate sources had significant influences on daily weight gain and digestive enzyme activities of S. nudus( P < 0. 05). Daily weight gain in gelatinized corn starch group was significantly higher than that in other groups( P < 0. 05); daily weight gain in glucose group was significantly lower than that in other groups( P < 0. 05); daily weight gain in the three ungelatinized starch groups was significantly higher than that in glucose,sucrose and dextrin groups( P < 0. 05). Analysis of digestive enzyme activities showed that dietary carbohydrate sources had significant influences on digestive enzyme activities of S. nudus( P < 0. 05). Protease activities and amylase activities of S. nudus in sucrose group were the highest,which were significantly higher than that in the other groups( P < 0. 05); lipase activities of S. nudus in glucose group were the lowest,which were significantly lower than that in other groups( P < 0. 05). In conclusion,growth-promoting effects of macromolecules carbohydrates( starch) were better than that of disaccharide( sucrose) and monosaccharide( glucose),which of gelatinized starch were better than that of ungelatinized starch.

Effects of dietary supplementation of probiotic,Clostridium butyricum,on growth performance,immune response,intestinal barrier function,and digestive enzyme activity in broiler chickens challenged with Escherichia coli K88

Background： Colibacillosis caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coil （E. coil} results in economic losses in the poultry industry. Antibiotics are usually used to control colibacillosis, however, E. coli has varying degrees of resistance to different antibiotics. Therefore the use of probiotics is becoming accepted as an alternative to antibiotics. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Clostfidium butyricum （C. butyficum） on growth performance, immune response, intestinal barrier function, and digestive enzyme activity in broiler chickens challenged with Eschefichia coli （E. coil） K88. Methods： The chickens were randomly divided into four treatment groups for 28 days. Negative control treatment （NC） consisted of birds fed a basal diet without E. coil K88 challenge and positive control treatment （PC） consisted of birds fed a basal diet and challenged with E. coil K88. C. buO/ricum probiotic treatment （CB） consisted of birds fed a diet containing 2 x 107 cfu C. buO/ricum/kg of diet and challenged with E. coil K88. Colistin sulfate antibiotic treatment （CS） consisted of birds fed a diet containing 20 mg colistin sulfate/kg of diet and challenged with E. coil K88. Results： The body weight （BW） and average day gain （ADG） in the broilers of CB group were higher （P 〈 0.05） than the broilers in the PC group overall except the ADG in the 14-21 d post-challenge. The birds in CB treatment had higher （P 〈 0.05） concentration of tumor necrosis factor-a （TNF-a） at 3 and 7 d post-challenge, and higher （P 〈 0.05） concentration of interleukin-4 （IL-4） at 14 d post-challenge than those in the PC treatment group. The concentration of serum endotoxin in CB birds was lower （P 〈 0.05） at 21 d post-challenge, and the concentrations of serum diamine oxidase in CB birds were lower （P 〈 0.05） at 14 and 21 d post-challenge than in PC birds. Birds in CB treatment group had higher （P 〈 0.05） jejunum villi height than those in PC, NC, or CS treatment at 7, 14, and 21 d post-challenge. In comparison to PC birds, the CB birds had lower （P 〈 0.05） jejunum crypt depth during the whole experiment. The birds in CB or CS treatment group had higher （P 〈 0.05） activities of amylase and protease at 3, 7, and 14 d post-challenge, and higher （P 〈 0.05） activity of lipase at 3, 7 d post-challenge than PC birds.

Effect of water temperature on digestive enzyme activity and gut mass in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka),with special reference to aestivation

The effect of water temperature on gut mass and digestive enzyme activity in sea cucumber Apostichopusjaponicus, including relative gut mass （RGM）, amylase, lipase, pepsin and trypsin activities were studied at temperatures of 7, 14, 21, and 28℃ over a period of 40 days. Results show that RGM significantly decreased after 40 days at 21 ℃ and markedly decreased over the whole experiment period at 28℃; however, no significant effect of duration was observed at 7 or 14℃. At 14℃, trypsin activity significantly decreased over 10 and 20 days, then increased; amylase and trypsin activity significantly decreased after 40 days at 28℃. However, no significant effect of duration was found on amylase, pepsin or trypsin activities in the other temperature treatment groups. At 28℃, lipase activity peaked in 20 days and then markedly decreased to a minimum at the end of the experiment. On the other hand, pepsin activity at 28℃ continuously increased over the whole experimental period. Principle component analysis showed that sea cucumbers on day 40 in the 21℃ group and in the previous 20 days in the 28℃ group were in the prophase of aestivation. At 28℃, sea cucumbers aestivated at 30-40 days after the start of the experiment. It is concluded that the effect of temperature on the digestion ofA. japonicus is comparatively weak within a specific range of water temperatures and aestivation behavior is accompanied by significant changes in RGM and digestive enzyme activities.

Effects of Dietary Stachyose on Growth Performance, Digestive Enzyme Activities and Intestinal Morphology of Juvenile Turbot(Scophthalmus maximus L)

A 12-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary stachyose on the growth performance, digestive enzymes activities and intestinal structures of juvenile turbot(Scophthalmus maximus L). Five isonitrogenous(49.58% crude protein) and isolipidic(10.50% crude lipid) diets were formulated to contain 0(Control), 0.625%(S-0.625), 1.25%(S-1.25), 2.5%(S-2.5) and 5%(S-5) stachyose, respectively. With the increase of stachyose level, the growth performance and feed utilization of turbot, such as the specific growth rate, final mean body weight, weight gain rate and feed efficiency, increased significantly(P < 0.05) and then stabilized. The feed intake of fish fed S-5 was significantly higher(P < 0.05) than that of fish in other groups. The activities of trypsin, intestinal caseinolytic, stomach and intestinal amylase were significantly influenced by stachyose(P < 0.05). The highest values of trypsin and intestinal caseinolytic activities were observed in group S-1.25, while the highest activity of stomach amylase and the lowest activity of intestine amylase were observed in group S-5. No lesion or damage was found on the distal intestine structures of fish from all treatments, while the height of simple folds in the distal intestine was significantly increased(P< 0.05) when 1.25% or 2.5% stachyose was added in the diets. These results indicated that moderate level of stachyose(1.25%) improves the growth performance, feed utilization, digestive enzyme activities and the distal intestine structures of juvenile turbot.