Clinical significance of serum biochemistry changes in mice with targeted disruption of βB2-crystallin gene

AIM: To explore the pathogenesis, influencing factors, ways of medical intervention and evaluation indicators of cataract by observing changes in serum biochemical indices in mice with targeted disruption of βB2-crystallin. · METHODS: Nine 6-week-old male mice with targeted knockout of βB2-crystallin were used as the study group, and nine age- and sex-matched normal wild-type mice as the control group. The genetype of the modeled mice was identified by PCR technique. Tropicamide and phenylephrine eye drops were used as the cycloplegic agents to observe changes in lens opacity with a slit-lamp. The lens was then removed and blood was collected for biochemical evaluation in the serum. · RESULTS: Two genotypes were successfully identified by PCR technique. Slit-lamp observation showed that the lens cortex was opaque and GSH level in the lens cortex was remarkably decreased in mice with βB2-crystallin deficiency compared with the control group (P <0.01). Serum Na+, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Fe2+ levels, ALT and AST activities, and TP, ALP, Cr, TC, GLU content were decreased significantly compared with the control group (P <0.05). There was no difference in LDH, P, Cu2+, K+ levels between the two groups (P >0.05). · CONCLUSION: Compared with the wild-type mice, serum biochemical indices underwent significant changes in mice with targeted disruption of βB2-crystallin gene, especially with abnormal distribution of Na+&Ca2+, which induced the formation of cataract.

The relationship between staging of hepatic fibrosis and the levels of serum biochemistry

Objective: To study the relationship between the de- gree of hepatic fibrosis and serum fibrosis markers. Methods: Liver biopsies were performed in 67 pa- tients with hepatitis. The sections were stained with hematoxylin eosin and immunohistochemical stain. Staging of hepatic fibrosis was made microscopically. The serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), type Ⅲ procollagen (PC-Ⅲ), laminin (LN), and type Ⅳ collagen (Ⅳ-C) were measured by radioimmunoas- say. Results: The serum levels of HA, PC-Ⅲ, LN and Ⅳ-C were elevated from S1 to S4 because of the in- crease of hepatic fibrosis. The serum concentrations of HA, PC-Ⅲ, LN and Ⅳ-C were increased with the progress of disease, with the highest concentration at the stage of cirrhosis. Conclusion: The stages of hepatic fibrosis are corre- lated with the serum levels of HA, PC-Ⅲ, LN and Ⅳ-C, which as markers may play a role in detecting the degree of hepatic fibrosis.

Dietary synbiotic supplementation improves the growth performance,body antioxidant pool,serum biochemistry,meat quality,and lipid oxidative stability in broiler chickens

The present study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus(LBA)and mannan-oligosaccharides(MOS)supplementation on the production performance,serum biochemistry,antioxidant profile,health indices,meat quality,and lipid oxidative stability of broiler chicken.A total of 252 commercial broiler chickens at 1 d old of uniform body weight were randomly allocated to 6 maize-soybean-based dietary treatments:T1(control diet),T2(antibiotic bacitracin methylene di-salicylate[BMD]at 20 mg/kg diet),T3(MOS at 0.1%+LBA at 10^6 CFU/g feed),T4(MOS at 0.1%+LBA at 10^7 CFU/g feed),T5(MOS at 0.2%+LBA at10^6 CFU/g feed),and T6(MOS at 0.2%+LBA at 10^7 CFU/g feed).Each treatment was assigned to 6 replicates of 7 birds.The samples for meat quality and serum biochemistry analysis were taken from 12 birds per treatment(2 birds/replicate).The results revealed better(P<0.01)growth performance and production efficiency of birds fed either T5 or T6 diet compared to control or BMD supplemented diet and BMD-supplemented birds superseded the control birds.Higher(P<0.01)serum and liver antioxidant enzyme activities,meat antioxidant capacity(2,2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid[ABTS]and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl[DPPH]assays),serum total protein,high-density lipoproteins(HDL)cholesterol(P<0.05),and globulin levels(P<0.01)were observed in birds fed either T5 or T6 diet compared to control or BMD supplemented birds,whereas,lower lipid oxidation(P<0.01),cardiac risk ratio,atherogenic coefficient,atherogenic index of plasma,serum glucose,triglyceride,total cholesterol levels(P<0.01),and serum albumin-to-globulin ratio(P<0.05)were observed in the chickens.The pH of meat from birds fed T4,T5 or T6 diet was lower(P<0.01)compared to control and other treatments.The extract release volume(ERV),water holding capacity(WHC),and protein content of meat were higher(P<0.05)in birds fed either T5 or T6 diet compared to control or BMD supplemented birds.Thus,it was concluded that the supplementation of 0.2%MOS along with LBA at 10^6 CFU/g is optimum for better growth performance,serum biochemistry,antioxidant profile,health indices,meat quality,and lipid oxidative stability of broiler chickens.

Evaluation of thyme and ajwain as antibiotic growth promoter substitutions on growth performance,carcass characteristics and serum biochemistry in Japanese quails(Coturnix japonica)

The present study was to evaluate thyme and ajwain as antibiotic growth promoter substitutions on growth performance,carcass characteristics and serum biochemistry in Japanese quails(Coturnix japonica).A feeding trial was conducted over 28 d with 4 groups of Japanese quails fed experimental diets formulated to provide no supplementation(control),or control t 55 mg zinc bacitracin/kg,2 g thyme/kg,and 2 g ajwain/kg.At 35 d of age,2 quails from each replicate were sacrificed and eviscerated.Liver,empty small intestine and heart were weighed and calculated as a percentage of live body weight.The carcasses were weighed and the cuts were performed to evaluate the yield of legs and breast.At 35 d of age,2 quails per replicate were chosen and approximately 1-m L blood samples were collected through brachial vein,and concentrations of albumin,total protein,triglyceride,total cholesterol,and high density lipoprotein(HDL)-cholesterol were determined.Final body weight were not affected by the dietary treatment whereas,it tended to increase in quails supplemented with antibiotic.Overall feed conversation ratio values were similar though it tended to improve in quails supplemented with thyme compared with other groups.Daily feed intake,internal organ weights and carcass traits were not influenced by the dietary treatments.Serum total cholesterol contents were lower(P < 0.05) in quails supplemented with ajwain compared with control and quails supplemented with antibiotic and thyme.The highest serum HDL-cholesterol was seen in the group supplemented with thyme compared with other groups.It was concluded that the addition of 2 g/kg thyme can improve serum biochemistry in quails,although its effects on performance criteria was negligible.

Detection of Babesia bovis in blood samples and its effect on the hematological and serum biochemical profile in large ruminants from Southern Punjab

Objective:To determine the presence of Babesia bovis(B.bovis) in large ruminants in southern Punjab and its effect on hematological and serum biochemical profile of host animals.Methods:Blood samples were collected from 144 large ruminants,including 105 cattle and 39 buffaloes,from six districts in southern Punjab including Multan,Layyah,Muzaffar Garh,Bhakar,Bahawalnagar and Vehari.Data on the characteristics of animals and herds were collected through questionnaires.Different blood(hemoglobin,glucose) and serum(ALT,AST,LDH,cholesterol)parameters of calves and cattle were measured and compared between parasite positive and negative samples to demonstrate the effect of B.bovis on the blood and serological profile of infected animals.Results:27 out of 144 animals.from 5 out of 6 sampling districts,produced the541-bp fragment specific for B.bovis.Age of animals(P=0.02).presence of ticks on animals(P=0.04)and presence of ticks on dogs associated with herds(P=0.5) were among the major risk factors involved in the spread of bovine babesiosis in the study area.ALT concentrations were the only serum biochemical values that significantly varied between parasite positive and negative cattle.Conclusions:This study has reported for the first time the presence of B.bovis in large ruminant and the results can lead to the prevention of babesiosis in the region to increase the livestock output.

Mechanism of the Effect of Bacillus coagulans on Production Performance of Laying Hens in Late Laying Period

[Objective]The paper was to investigate the mechanism of Bacillus coagulans preparation in improving production performance of laying hens in late period of laying.[Method]A total of 648 individuals of"Jingfen 1"laying hens(66 weeks of age)in late period of laying were randomly divided into four groups,six replicates each group,and each group had 27 individuals of laying hens.The laying hens in control group were fed with basal diet,and those in experimental groupsⅠ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ were fed with the basal diets added with 3.33×10^6,1×10^7,3.33×10^7 CFU/g B.coagulans,respectively.The pretrial lasted one week,and the formal test lasted eight weeks.[Result]Compared with the control group,the laying rate in group Ⅰ increased significantly,and the feed-gain ratio in experimental group Ⅱ decreased noticeably while the spleen index increased remarkably;the alkaline phosphatase activities and blood calcium content in experimental groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ increased significantly(P<0.05),while the triglyceride content decreased remarkably(P<0.05);the urea content in experimental groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ decreased obviously(P<0.05).Adding B.coagulans significantly increased the specific activity of amylase,lipase and protease in various intestinal mucosa of small intestine(P<0.05);adding B.coagulans significantly increased the content of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)and estradiol(E2),and significantly increased the mRNA expression of follicle stimulating hormone receptor gene(FSHR).[Conclusion]B.coagulans preparation could significantly improve the production performance of laying hens in late period of laying;appropriately enhance the immune capacity of laying hens;improve the serum biochemical indicators;increase the activity of digestive enzymes in the small intestine;and promote the release of gonadal hormone and the mRNA expression of FSHR gene in the ovary.

Acute and sub-acute toxicities of hydroalcoholic extract of Allium affine aerial parts in rats

Objective:To assess the potential toxicity of hydroalcoholic extract of Allium affine(A.affine)aerial parts after acute and sub-acute administration in female and male Wistar rats.Methods:For acute toxicity assay,animals orally received the limit test dose of 2000 mg/kg of A.affine extract and were observed for 2 weeks.For sub-acute toxicity study,rats were orally treated with 125,250,and 500 mg/kg/day of the extract over 28 days,and hematological,biochemical,and histological evaluations were then conducted.Results:All rats were alive with normal body weight gain over 14 days,with LD50˃2000 mg/kg.No abnormality in body weight changes but significant increases in the relative weight of spleen and lung were detected after administration of the highest dose of extract for 28 days in sub-acute assay.Hematological analysis showed prominent elevations in total white blood cells in male rats and neutrophils count in female rats after exposure to 500 mg/kg of A.affine extract.In biochemical evaluations,significant increases in serum creatinine level(female rats,250 and 500 mg/kg)and in aspartate aminotransferase(male and female rate,500 mg/kg)and alanine aminotransferase(male,250 and 500 mg/kg and female,500 mg/kg)activities,however,notable decreases in serum blood glucose(male rats,125 and 500 mg/kg),triglycerides(male rats,500 mg/kg and female rates,250 mg/kg),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels(male,250 mg/kg)were found.Histological examinations presented slight portal inflammation in liver tissue,moderate pneumocyte hyperplasia,congestion and peri-bronchial inflammation in lung tissue,and mild histiocytosis and lymphoid follicular activation in spleen tissue after exposure to 500 mg/kg of A.affine extract in male and female animals.Conclusions:The present investigation reveals the safety of A.affine extract at doses of lower than 250 mg/kg in rats and monitoring of lung,spleen,and liver functions is suggested during excessive and prolonged uses.