Effects of varying levels of Cynara scolymus powder on growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal microbiota, immune and haemato-biochemical parameters in female quails

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying levels of dietary Cynara scolymus (CS) powder on growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal microbiota, immune and haemato-biochemical parameters in female quails. A total of 120-day-old female quails used for the research were divided into 3 treatment groups: 0% CS, 0.75% CS and 1.50% CS having 4 replicates (n = 10). Blood samples collected were analyzed for differential leukocyte count, red blood cell count and its indices, uric acid, lipid profile, liver enzymes, calcium, phosphorous, creatinine, thyroid hormone, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and antibody titres. Quails were euthanized for evaluation of carcass and microbial bacteria and sensory characteristics of the breast and thigh meat. Supplementation of CS at 0.75% and 1.50% increased (P < 0.05) wing, drumstick, ileum, jejunum and spleen lengths, high-density lipoprotein, and decreased (P < 0.05) low-density lipoprotein: high-density lipoprotein ratio. Diets supplemented with 0.75% CS increased (P < 0.05) albumin while 1.50% decreased (P < 0.05) abdominal fat and increased (P < 0.05) corpuscular volume, red blood cell count, lactobacillus population, and color of thigh meat. Both CS levels (0.75% and 1.50%) may improve intestinal morphology, quality of meat, immunity, erythropoiesis, intestinal microbial population, and decrease bad cholesterol in quails.

Melatonin and probiotic administration ameliorated hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress, and enhanced cytoprotective effect on beta-cells of diabetic rats

Objective

The study aimed at investigating the effects of administering melatonin and a probiotic to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats on hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress biomarkers and beta-cells.

Design

Type 1 diabetes was induced in 5 months-old male Wistar rats by single intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of freshly-prepared STZ (60 mg/kg body weight). Six groups of 10 rats were used and treated once daily for six weeks; (1) Healthy control: normal saline only; (2) Pre-treated with Melatonin (MEL); (3) Diabetic control; (4) Diabetic + Treated with MEL; (5) Diabetic + Treated with Probiotic (Prob); (6) Diabetic + Treated with MEL + Prob. Blood glucose, body weight, activities of antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde concentration in serum and tissues, reduced glutathione and immunohistochemical assay. Data obtained were expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (Mean ± SEM) and subjected to ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test.

Results

Melatonin + Probiotic significantly decreased blood glucose concentrations in diabetic treated rats, compared to the diabetic control rats. MEL + Probiotic increased (p < 0.05) superoxide dismutase activity in serum and liver of diabetic rats. MEL + Probiotic reduced (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde concentration in the serum, liver and kidneys, respectively. MEL + Probiotic treated diabetic rats displayed islets with much greater content of insulin.

Conclusion

Melatonin + Probiotic combination was more effective in mitigating hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress, and exerted cytoprotective effect on the beta-cells.

Age-dependent variations in haematological and serum biochemical parameters of domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica)

In this study, the age-dependent variations in haematological and serum biochemical parameters of domestic pigeons were evaluated. Sixty apparently healthy domestic pigeons comprising 30 young (2–7 weeks of age) and 30 adult (>7 weeks of age) were sampled from local breeders. Blood was collected from each bird via brachial venipuncture and divided into 2 parts; one part dispensed into labeled tubes containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as anticoagulant was processed for haematological analyses. The other part was dispensed into labeled plain tubes, serum harvested and processed for serum biochemical analyses. Results revealed overall packed cells volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HGB) and red blood cells (RBC) of 42.97 ± 4.53%, 13.15 ± 1.82 g/dL and 3.63 ± 0.50 × 10¹²/L respectively. All haematological parameters except mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and lymphocyte count showed statistical (p < 0.05) differences between young and adult pigeons. Values recorded for serum total protein, albumin, globulin, serum/albumin ratio, urea, creatinine and urea/creatinine ratio were 4.32 ± 0.74 g/dL, 2.07 ± 0.30 g/dL, 2.25 ± 0.74 g/dL, 1.04 ± 0.43, 0.48 ± 0.33 mg/dL, 0.75 ± 0.52 mg/dL and 0.73 ± 0.51 respectively. Serum urea and creatinine concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in adult (0.62 ± 0.40; 1.04 ± 0.60 mg/dL) compared to young (0.34 ± 0.13; 0.47 ± 0.15 mg/dL) pigeons. This study therefore demonstrated age-dependent variations in haematological and serum biochemical parameters of domestic pigeons.

Elevated serum sialic acids, a potent biomarker of alloxan-induced type 1 diabetes in dogs by ethanolic extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus

Objectives

This study investigated serum sialic acids for a predictive and diagnostic biomarker of diabetes mellitus (DM) in dogs and its prognostic value with ethanolic extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus.

Design

Four groups of 3 dogs were used; non-diabetic controls (ND), diabetic-untreated (DU), diabetic insulin-treated (DI) and diabetic extract-treated (DE). Free serum sialic acids (FSSA) and erythrocyte surface sialic acids (ESSA) were assayed in all groups, pre-and post-induction of hyperglycaemia and results were presented as means ± standard error of means (SEM) and subjected to ANOVA using Tukey's post-hoc tests with GraphPad Prism® statistical package.

Results

FSSA increased in DU and plateaued at third week (61.8 ± 0.41 μg/ml), (P < 0.002) with additional 38.2 μg/ml (62%) generated, coinciding with hyperglycaemia. FSSA of DI increased but declined to 22.3 ± 1.55 μg/ml. Extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus effectively modulated FSSA in DE as increased value declined to 21.4 ± 0.78 μg/ml. Pre-induction DU ESSA (8.27 ± 0.11 μg/ml) significantly (P < 0.002) decreased by third week (2.33 ± 1.49 μg/ml), coinciding with hyperglycaemia. Strong negative correlation coefficient (r = -0.92) occurred between DU's FSSA and ESSA and ND (P < 0.03). Sialic acid expression in dog's insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is 18% lower than normal. Extract of A. leiocarpus restored ESSA completely. ESSA cleaved in DU, 5.94 μg/ml (72%), could not account for the extra FSSA (32.26 μg/ml); liver and kidneys are contributors.

Conclusion

FSSA predicts canine DM.