ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of flavonoid-rich plant extracts (PE) on ruminal fermentation characteristics and methane emission by studying their effectiveness for methanogenesis in the rumen. A fistulated Holstein cow was used as a donor of rumen fluid. The PE (Punica granatum, Betula schmidtii, Ginkgo biloba, Camellia japonica, and Cudrania tricuspidata) known to have high concentrations of flavonoid were added to an in vitro fermentation incubated with rumen fluid. Total gas production and microbial growth with all PE was higher than that of the control at 24 h incubation, while the methane emission was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the control. The decrease in methane accumulation relative to the control was 47.6%, 39.6%, 46.7%, 47.9%, and 48.8% for Punica, Betula, Ginkgo, Camellia, and Cudrania treatments, respectively. Ciliate populations were reduced by more than 60% in flavonoid-rich PE treatments. The Fibrobacter succinogenes diversity in all added flavonoid-rich PE was shown to increase, while the Ruminoccocus albus and R. flavefaciens populations in all PE decreased as compared with the control. In particular, the F. succinogenes community with the addition of Birch extract increased to a greater extent than that of others. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that flavonoid-rich PE decreased ruminal methane emission without adversely affecting ruminal fermentation characteristics in vitro in 24 h incubation time, suggesting that the flavonoid-rich PE have potential possibility as bio-active regulator for ruminants.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Insulin glargine as a basal insulin exhibits constant absorption with no pronounced peaks in blood insulin levels and 24-h duration of action. We checked the effect of insulin glargine through the comparison of insulin glargine with glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) on perioperative glucose control in insulin-treated type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: Thirty insulin-treated type 2 diabetic patients, 40-80 years of age, were subjected to femoral artery bypass or knee amputation under general anaesthesia. The insulin glargine group (n = 15) was treated with insulin glargine (two-thirds of the total daily insulin dose required) subcutaneous administration with 5% dextrose solution infusion. The GIK group (n = 15) was treated with GIK infusion (125 ml h). Blood glucose levels were checked every 30 min during anaesthesia and 1 h after extubation. Potassium was checked every 1 h during anaesthesia and 2-4 h after extubation. Statistical analysis was performed with unpaired t test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the time course of blood glucose levels during operation and postoperative period between the two groups (P < 0.05). There was no hypoglycaemic episode in the perioperative period and no significant differences in potassium levels between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Insulin glargine was as effective as GIK regimen for perioperative glycaemic control during major surgery in insulin-dependent type 2 diabetic patients.