AIM:To use leptin-deficient(ob/ob) mice with demonstrated differences in steatosis levels to test a new diagnostic method using the acoustical structure quantification(ASQ) mode and the associated analytical parameter...AIM:To use leptin-deficient(ob/ob) mice with demonstrated differences in steatosis levels to test a new diagnostic method using the acoustical structure quantification(ASQ) mode and the associated analytical parameter,"focal disturbance ratio"(FD-ratio).METHODS:Nine ob/ob mice,at 5,8,and 12 wk of age(n = 3 in each age group),were used as models for hepatic steatosis.Echo signals obtained from ultrasonography in the mice were analyzed by ASQ,which uses a statistical analysis of echo amplitude to estimate inhomogeneity in the diagnostic region.FD-ratio,as calculated from this analysis,was the focus of the present study.FD-ratio and fat droplet areas and sizes were compared between age groups.RESULTS:No fibrosis or inflammation was observed in any of the groups.The fat droplet area significantly(P < 0.01) increased with age from 1.25% ± 0.28% at 5 wk to 31.07% ± 0.48% at 8 wk to 51.69% ± 3.19% at 12 wk.The median fat droplet size also significantly(P < 0.01) increased with age,from 1.33(0.55-10.52) m at 5 wk,2.82(0.61-44.13) m at 8 wk and 6.34(0.66-81.83) m at 12 wk.The mean FD-ratio was 0.42 ± 0.11 at 5 wk,0.11 ± 0.05 at 8 wk,and 0.03 ± 0.02 at 12 wk.The FD-ratio was significantly lower at 12 wk than at 5 wk and 8 wk(P < 0.01).A significant negative correlation was observed between the FD-ratio and either the fat droplet area(r =-0.7211,P = 0.0017) or fat droplet size(r =-0.9811,P = 0.0052).CONCLUSION:This tool for statistical analysis of signals from ultrasonography using the FD-ratio can be used to accurately quantify fat in vivo in an animal model of hepatic steatosis,and may serve as a quantitative biomarker of hepatic steatosis.展开更多
The globe artichoke has become important as a medicinal herb in recent years following the discovery of cynarin. This bitter-tasting compound, which is found in the leaves, improves liver and gall bladder function, st...The globe artichoke has become important as a medicinal herb in recent years following the discovery of cynarin. This bitter-tasting compound, which is found in the leaves, improves liver and gall bladder function, stimulates the secretion of digestive juices, especially bile, and lowers blood cholesterol levels. The leaves are anticholesterolemic, antirheumatic, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, hypoglycaemic and lithontripic. BEDGEN 40 , a compound made with Cynara scolymus L. （artichoke） extract and choline chloride was evaluated for growth performance and anti-oxidant activity in tilapia. There were four treatment groups; group 1 was fed only with a basal diet and served as the control, group 2 - 4 were experimental groups that received 150, 300, or 600 mg/kg BEDGEN 40 , respectively, added to the basal diet and fed for 8 weeks. The results showed signifi- cant differences for weight gain, feed conversion, and protein efficiency in fish diets containing 150, 300, or 600 mg/kg BEDGEN 40 compared to the control. Generally, BEDGEN 40 improved the body condition factor and hepatosomatic index of tilapia, and reduced liver fat content. Fish consum- ing BEDGEN 40 also exhibited improved liver antioxidant status. BEDGEN 40 （300, or 600 mg/kg） was also found to significantly reduce the mortality of tilapia subsequently challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila.展开更多
文摘AIM:To use leptin-deficient(ob/ob) mice with demonstrated differences in steatosis levels to test a new diagnostic method using the acoustical structure quantification(ASQ) mode and the associated analytical parameter,"focal disturbance ratio"(FD-ratio).METHODS:Nine ob/ob mice,at 5,8,and 12 wk of age(n = 3 in each age group),were used as models for hepatic steatosis.Echo signals obtained from ultrasonography in the mice were analyzed by ASQ,which uses a statistical analysis of echo amplitude to estimate inhomogeneity in the diagnostic region.FD-ratio,as calculated from this analysis,was the focus of the present study.FD-ratio and fat droplet areas and sizes were compared between age groups.RESULTS:No fibrosis or inflammation was observed in any of the groups.The fat droplet area significantly(P < 0.01) increased with age from 1.25% ± 0.28% at 5 wk to 31.07% ± 0.48% at 8 wk to 51.69% ± 3.19% at 12 wk.The median fat droplet size also significantly(P < 0.01) increased with age,from 1.33(0.55-10.52) m at 5 wk,2.82(0.61-44.13) m at 8 wk and 6.34(0.66-81.83) m at 12 wk.The mean FD-ratio was 0.42 ± 0.11 at 5 wk,0.11 ± 0.05 at 8 wk,and 0.03 ± 0.02 at 12 wk.The FD-ratio was significantly lower at 12 wk than at 5 wk and 8 wk(P < 0.01).A significant negative correlation was observed between the FD-ratio and either the fat droplet area(r =-0.7211,P = 0.0017) or fat droplet size(r =-0.9811,P = 0.0052).CONCLUSION:This tool for statistical analysis of signals from ultrasonography using the FD-ratio can be used to accurately quantify fat in vivo in an animal model of hepatic steatosis,and may serve as a quantitative biomarker of hepatic steatosis.
文摘The globe artichoke has become important as a medicinal herb in recent years following the discovery of cynarin. This bitter-tasting compound, which is found in the leaves, improves liver and gall bladder function, stimulates the secretion of digestive juices, especially bile, and lowers blood cholesterol levels. The leaves are anticholesterolemic, antirheumatic, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, hypoglycaemic and lithontripic. BEDGEN 40 , a compound made with Cynara scolymus L. （artichoke） extract and choline chloride was evaluated for growth performance and anti-oxidant activity in tilapia. There were four treatment groups; group 1 was fed only with a basal diet and served as the control, group 2 - 4 were experimental groups that received 150, 300, or 600 mg/kg BEDGEN 40 , respectively, added to the basal diet and fed for 8 weeks. The results showed signifi- cant differences for weight gain, feed conversion, and protein efficiency in fish diets containing 150, 300, or 600 mg/kg BEDGEN 40 compared to the control. Generally, BEDGEN 40 improved the body condition factor and hepatosomatic index of tilapia, and reduced liver fat content. Fish consum- ing BEDGEN 40 also exhibited improved liver antioxidant status. BEDGEN 40 （300, or 600 mg/kg） was also found to significantly reduce the mortality of tilapia subsequently challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila.
