Bioavailability comparison between herbal methionine and DL-methionine on growth performance and immunocompetence basis in broiler chickens

Herbal methionine can be compared relative to Dl-methionine with evaluation of bioavailability of this source of methionine. An experiment was carried out to determine the relative bioefficacy of herbal methionine [H-Met][registered sign] relative to DL-methionine [DL-Met] on performance criteria and immunocompetence of Met sources in male broilers. Atotal of 160 male broilers were fed a Met-deficient basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with three or four concentrations of each Met sources. Multiexponential and multilinear regressions were used to determined bioavailability of herbal methionine [HMet] [registered sign]relative to DL-Met on performance and immunocompetence of broilers. Body weight gain and feed intake of the broilers fed H-Met or DL Met improved in the experiment, regardless of Met sources, relative to those broilers that were fed the basal diet. Immunocompetence of broilers were not significant at 28 day of age [p>0.05], whereas the broilers were significantly affected by the additional levels of Met sources at 42 day of age. The bioefficacy estimates for H-Met[registered sign] relative to DL-Met on a product basis were 55% for weight gain, 71% for feed intake, 78% for feed conversion ratio, 70% for dilution 1-choloro 2- 3-dinitrobenzene [DNCB], 67% for sheep red blood cell [SRBC], and 68% for phytohemagglutinine [PHA-P]. The relative effectiveness of H-Met[registered sign] compared to that of DL-Met is 68% on average across performance criteria and all immune criteria tested. H-Met[registered sign]can be supplemented as a new and natural source of Met for the poultry industry

Relative effectiveness of herbal methionine compared to DL-methionine on growth, performance and carcass responses basis in broiler chickens

The degree to which the amount of an ingested nutrient is absorbed and available to the body is called bioavailability. Relative effectiveness of herbal methionine [H-Met[R]] compared to DL-methionine [DL-Met] was investigated in this experiment. Exponential regression analysis was used to determine bioefficacy of H-Met[R] based on body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion. DLMet and H-Met[R] were added to a basal diet in 3 and 4 levels, respectively, in starter, grower and finisher periods. Therefore, that met the nutrient and energy requirements of broiler chickens, with the exception of Met+Cys. In the 42-d trial, broilers growth increased significantly [p<0.05], relative to those broilers fed basal diet, regardless of Met sources. Carcass characteristics did not respond significantly to the supplemental Met. Regression analysis revealed that H-Met[R] was 52% [body weight gain], 72% [feed intake] and 77% [feed conversion ratio] as efficacious as DL-Met. H-Met[R] can be administered as a new and a natural source of Met in poultry industry

Prevalence of zinc deficiency in 3-18 years old children in Shiraz-Iran

Zinc is an essential trace element with a prominent role in human nutrition. Zinc deficiency has been linked to growth retardation, hypogonadism in males, and lack of sexual development in females. It ranges from 50% in sub-Saharan Africa to 5% in high income countries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of zinc deficiency in healthy children in Shiraz, Southern Iran. In this study, 902 children aged 3-18 years old were randomly sampled for serum zinc level. Age, sex, weight, height, BMI, stunting and wasting indices were also recorded. With atomic absorption spectrophotometry method, the serum level of zinc less than 70 micro g/dL was considered as deficient. Mean serum level of zinc was 122.3 +/- 55 micro g/dL. The prevalence of zinc deficiency was 7.9%. There was no relationship among serum zinc level and age, sex, height, weight or BMI, but mild wasting [weight for age] and mild stunting [height for age] were significantly more prevalent among zinc deficient children compared to children with normal or high level of zinc. Zinc deficiency in Shiraz is not as prevalent as other areas of Iran. It was significantly more frequent among stunted and wasted [malnourished] children. Difference in soil zinc level, recent wide prescription of zinc supplements by pediatricians and especial pattern of nutrition, considered as possible factors responsible for lower prevalence of zinc deficiency in Shiraz, deserve more investigations

Biomarkers detection of basal cell carcinoma by proteomics analysis

Basal cell carcinoma [BCC] is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer that is the most common cancer type. So, in this study gene expression was detected in normal and cancer skin cells to find alteration gene expression to able help detection and care of this disease. Detection of this event is available by proteomics techniques. BCC and Normal tissues were taken from 3 patients and total protein was extracted by standard method of purification. The protein spots were separated by 2- dimensional electrophoresis [2DE], and the proteomes analyzed by other methods. Comparison of gene expression in normal and cancer cells was analyzed. Finally the desired proteins were identified using data banks. 87 protein spots were detected by 2DE gels with 76 spots having significantly different expression in normal and cancer gel images. 7 proteins were determined while comparing with informational banks. Results show the alteration of protein expression in cancer tissues; most of them decreased or even had no expression. These alterations in gene expression in both tissues can help to discover new biomarkers for detecting and curing of cancer