An Assessment of the Effects of Guanidinoacetic Acid on the Performance and Immune Response of Laying Hens Fed Diets with Three Levels of Metabolizable Energy.

Different levels of metabolizable energy (ME) and the inclusion of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) in the diet of 53-week-old Lohmann LSL-CLASSIC hens were used to evaluate its effect on reproductive parameters, egg quality, intestinal morphology, and the immune response. Six diets were used in a 3 × 2 factorial design, with three levels of ME (2850, 2800, and 2750 kcal/kg), and with (0.08%) or without the inclusion of GAA. The addition of GAA to diets with low levels of ME increased (p < 0.05) egg production and egg mass. Moreover, hens fed with 2800 kcal/g without GAA had the highest concentration (p < 0.05) of serum interleukin IL-2, while those fed diets with the same amount of ME but supplemented with 0.08% GAA had the lowest concentration. Finally, the inclusion of 0.08% GAA increased (p < 0.05) the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), regardless of the ME level in the diet. This study highlights the potential role of GAA in decreasing the energy level of ME (50-100 kcal/g) in the feeding of hens and in the modulation of specific immune responses. Further research is recommended to fully understand the mechanisms of action of GAA on the mechanism target of rapamycin and its relationship with the immune response.

Growth Performance and Immunity of Broilers Fed Sorghum-Soybean Meal Diets Supplemented with Phytases and Β-Mannanases.

Most grains and vegetable feedstuffs used in commercial poultry feed contain phytates and polysaccharides-non-starchy chemical structures that are not degraded by digestive tract enzymes. Exogenous enzymes optimize the use of dietary ingredients. This study aimed to determine whether combining ß-mannanases (400 g/ton) and phytases in broiler sorghum-soybean diets could improve performance and immunity in broilers. Four diets were randomized in a 2 × 2 factorial design, with two phytase levels (500 or 1500 FTU/kg) and ß-mannanase supplementation (0-400 g/ton; 158 million units/kg minimum enzyme activity). Six replicate battery cages of 10 chicks were fed each diet ad libitum. To assess cellular and humoral immune responses, 10 birds per treatment were euthanized on day 21. Supplementation with ß-mannanase enzymes led to increased body weight and a higher feed conversion index (FCI) (p < 0.05). The phytase factor improved the FCI at 1500 FTU/kg (p < 0.05). Supplementation with ß-mannanases improved the immune response by increasing the IgA concentration in the duodenum (95%) and total serum immunoglobulins (p < 0.05). The morphometric index increased in all organs (p < 0.05), and the heterophile/lymphocyte ratio (HLR) decreased by 50% (p < 0.05). Supplementing broilers with ß-mannanases in sorghum-soybean meal diets with phytases improved their performance and immunity.

Ramon Flour (Brosimum alicastrum Swartz) Ameliorates Hepatic Lipid Accumulation, Induction of AMPK Phosphorylation, and Expression of the Hepatic Antioxidant System in a High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity Mouse Model.

Excessive consumption of fat and carbohydrates, together with a decrease in traditional food intake, has been related to obesity and the development of metabolic alterations. Ramon seed is a traditional Mayan food used to obtain Ramon flour (RF) with high biological value in terms of protein, fiber, micronutrients, and bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. However, few studies have evaluated the beneficial effects of RF. Thus, we aimed to determine the metabolic effects of RF consumption on a high-fat-diet-induced obesity mouse model. We divided male BALB/c mice into four groups (n = 5 each group) and fed them for 90 days with the following diets: Control (C): control diet (AIN-93), C + RF: control diet adjusted with 25% RF, HFD: high-fat diet + 5% sugar in water, and HFD + RF: high-fat diet adjusted with 25% RF + 5% sugar in water. The RF prevented the increase in serum total cholesterol (TC) and alanine transaminase (ALT) that occurred in the C and HFD groups. Notably, RF together with HFD increased serum polyphenols and antioxidant activity, and it promoted a decrease in the adipocyte size in white adipose tissue, along with lower hepatic lipid accumulation than in the HFD group. In the liver, the HFD + RF group showed an increase in the expression of ß-oxidation-related genes, and downregulation of the fatty acid synthase (Fas) gene compared with the HFD group. Moreover, the HFD + RF group had increased hepatic phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), along with increased nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) protein expression compared with the HFD group. Thus, RF may be used as a nutritional strategy to decrease metabolic alterations during obesity.

Supplementation with antioxidants and phenolic compounds in ruminant feeding and its effect on dairy products: a systematic review.

Milk and dairy products have great importance in human nutrition related to the presence of different nutrients, including protein, fatty acid profile and bioactive compounds. Dietary supplementation with foods containing these types of compounds may influence the chemical composition of milk and dairy products and hence, potentially, the consumer. Our objective was to summarize the evidence of the effect of supplementation with antioxidants and phenolic compounds in the diets of dairy animals and their effects on milk and dairy products. We conducted a systematic search in the MEDLINE/PubMed database for studies published up until July 2022 that reported on supplementation with antioxidants and phenolic compounds in diets that included plants, herbs, seeds, grains and isolated bioactive compounds of dairy animals such as cows, sheep and goats and their effects on milk and dairy products. Of the 94 studies identified in the search, only 15 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The review revealed that supplementation with false flax cake, sweet grass, Acacia farnesiana, mushroom myceliated grains and sweet grass promoted an effect on the milk lipid profile, whereas supplementation with dried grape pomace and tannin extract promoted an effect on the milk and cheese lipid profiles. In six studies, the addition of Acacia farnesiana, hesperidin or naringin, durum wheat bran, mushroom myceliated grains, dried grape pomace and olive leaves increased the antioxidant activity of milk. In conclusion, supplementation with bioactive compounds had a positive impact which ranged from an increase in antioxidant capacity to a decrease in oxidative biomarkers such as malondialdehyde.

Production of 17 strains of edible mushroom grown on corn stover and its effect on the chemical composition and ruminal in vitro digestibility of the residual substrate.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the production (P) (g of fresh mushrooms /bag) and biological efficiency (BE) (g of fresh mushrooms per 100 g of dry substrate) of 17 fungal strains, namely Pleurotus ostreatus Po-IAP, Po-P38, Po-P14, Po-IE202, Po-Sfco, Po-JP, Po-Psma, and Po-POS, Pleurotus djamour Pd-PRO and Pd-UTMR, Pleurotus eryngii Pe-MB and Pe-PQ, Lentinula edodes L15, L9, L5, and LC, and Hericium erinaceus Heri, produced in corn stover (CS) and to assess the content of crude protein (CP), lignin (L), cellulose, hemicellulose, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD) of the residual substrate of CS, the so called spent mushroom substrate (SMS), in comparison to the non-inoculated substrate (C). The variables were analyzed as a completely randomized block design using R 4.0.3 software. Means were compared using Tukey's procedure. The Pleurotus spp. strains, compared to Lentinula spp. and Hericium spp., presented better BE and P. In comparison to C, the SMS increased the CP content (p < 0.05) from 10.8% (Po-JP) to 70.3% (LC), while NDF decreased (p < 0.05) from 11.5% (Pd-Pro) to 33.5% (L15) and IVDMD increased (p < 0.05) from 16.2% (Heri) to 47.7% (Pd-UTMR). In conclusion, of the 17 strains evaluated, the 3 strains of Lentinula edodes (L5, L15, and L9), one strain of Pleurotus djamour (Pd-UTMR), and one strain of Pleurotus ostreatus (Po-IAP) generated a SMS that, due to its nutritional improvement and increase in IVDMD, could be used as feed for ruminants. Our results also showed that corn stover is a suitable substrate to produce Pleurotus spp. fruiting bodies, with strain Po-IAP as the best yielding.

Effects of Mexican Ganoderma lucidum extracts on liver, kidney, and the gut microbiota of Wistar rats: A repeated dose oral toxicity study.

Well-characterized and standardized extracts of a Mexican genotype of Ganoderma lucidum (Gl), a medicinal mushroom, cultivated on oak sawdust (Gl-1) or oak sawdust plus acetylsalicylic acid (Gl-2, ASA), have been shown to exert antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, and anticancer properties. However, toxicity analyses still need to be carried out. Different doses of these Gl-1 or Gl-2 extracts were administered to Wistar rats for 14 days in a repeated dose oral toxicity study. We assessed the external clinical signs, biochemical parameters, liver and kidney tissues, injury and inflammation biomarkers, gene expression, inflammatory responses, proinflammatory mediators, and gut microbiota. Gl extracts had no significant adverse, toxic or harmful effects on male and female rats compared to the control groups. No injury or dysfunction were recorded in the kidney or liver, as there were no significant abnormal variations in organ weight, tissue histopathology, serum biochemical parameters (C-reactive protein, creatinine, urea, glucose, ALT and AST transaminases, TC, LDL-c, TG, HDL-c), urinary parameters (creatinine, urea nitrogen, albumin, the albumin-to-creatinine ratio, glucose), injury and inflammatory biomarkers (KIM-1/TIM-1, TLR4, and NF-кB protein expression; IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-6 gene expression), or the expression of genes linked to cholesterol metabolism (HMG-CoA, Srebp2, Ldlr). Gl-1 and Gl-2 extracts showed prebiotic effects on the gut microbiota of male and female Wistar rats. Bacterial diversity and relative bacterial abundance (BRA) increased, positively modulating the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. The ASA (10 mM) added to the substrate used for mushroom cultivation changed properties and effects of the Gl-2 extract on Wistar rats. The no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) was 1000 mg/kg body weight/day of Gl-1 or Gl-2 extracts. Clinical trials are recommended for further exploring the potential therapeutic applications of studied extracts.

Effect of canola oil supplementation level on total tract digestion, ruminal fermentation, and methane emissions of cows grazing Urochloa sp. supplemented with a fixed amount of concentrate.

Four rumen-cannulated cows (Bos taurus × Bos indicus, 657 ± 92 kg body weight, BW) in a rotational grazing (Urochloa sp.) system were assigned to different canola oil (CO) inclusion levels, 0.0, 0.40, 0.80, and 1.2 g/kg according to shrunk body weight (SBW, BW adjusted for gastrointestinal filling) in a 4 × 4 Latin Square design to evaluate CO on the CH4 emissions and dietary energy intake. CH4 emissions were estimated using an infrared analyzer methodology (Sniffer method). Grass intake and fecal production were estimated using Cr2O3 as an external marker. CO supplementation increased (linear effect, P ≤ 0.05) total dry matter and gross energy intake with a linear increase (P = 0.09) in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake. While digestible energy (Mcal/kg) linearly increased with increasing CO supplementation level (linear effect, P < 0.05), total tract digestion of organic matter, NDF, and CP was comparable (P > 0.05) between levels. Maximal CO supplementation (1.2 g/kg SBW) significantly decreased total ruminal protozoa population, acetate:propionate ratio, and enteric methane production (g/kg DMI) by 9, 5.3, and 17.5%, respectively. This study showed that, for cows grazing tropical forages, CO can be supplemented up to 1.2 g/kg SBW (5.8% of the total diet) without negatively affecting intake and nutrient digestion while reducing ruminal fermentation efficiency and enteric methane emission (≤ 17.5%).

Feeding spray-dried plasma to broilers early in life improved their intestinal development, immunity and performance irrespective of mycotoxins in feed.

Introduction: Fungi that produce mycotoxins can grow on certain food products, such as grains and feed, and can cause a variety of health issues if consumed by animals, including chickens. The use of spray-dried plasma (SDP) is one strategy for combating the health problems caused by mycotoxins. Materials and methods: In the present study, Ross 308 chickens (n = 960) were divided into four treatment groups. T1 group was given a control diet (corn-soybean meal), T2 group was given a control diet +2% SDP, T3 group was given a control diet +2% SDP + mixture mycotoxins and T4 group was givena control diet + mycotoxin mixture. Results: The presence of SDP resulted in weight gain and decreased feed efficiency, whereas mycotoxins resulted in weight loss and increased feed efficiency. SDP increased the thymus' relative weight. The presence of mycotoxins increased the heterophile/lymphocyte ratio. The presence of mycotoxins reduced the production of IL-2 and macrophage inflammatory protein-3 Alpha (MIP-3a), whereas the presence of SDP increased the production of macrophage colony-stimulating Factor (M-CSF). SDP resulted in higher IgA concentrations in the intestinal and tracheal washes than mycotoxin. Finally, adding SDP to broiler diets boosts weight gain, feed efficiency, and immune system development. Discussion: Our results provide information supporting that SDP is a promising tool for improving poultry immunity and performance.

Development of a Functional Cookie Formulated with Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Mill.) I.M. Johnst) and Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus).

Chaya and amaranth are Mexican traditional foods with a high nutritional value. Many studies have demonstrated the individual beneficial effect of each. However, there is no evidence of the use of these foods on the formulation of functional foods. This study evaluated the effect of replacing 5-20% of wheat flour with chaya and amaranth flours to generate four different formulations of cookies. Proximal analysis, total polyphenols and oxalate content, antioxidant activity, fatty acid profile, and sensory analysis were performed on the cookies. The results of the chemical composition showed that all cookies have a high protein content (9.21-10.10%), an adequate amount of fiber (5.34-6.63%), and a balanced ratio of unsaturated-saturated fatty acids (70:20), and they contain PUFAs (50.4-53.2 g/100 g of fatty acids), especially α-linolenic and oleic acids. All formulations presented antioxidant activity (2540 ± 65.9 to 4867 ± 61.7 Trolox equivalents (µmoles/100 g)) and polyphenols (328-790 mg/100 g); in particular, quercetin was identified in their composition. Results of the sensory analysis indicated that incorporation of chaya and amaranth flour in cookies does not affect the acceptability of the products. The inclusion of traditional foods, such as chaya and amaranth, in cookies enhances their nutritional value and increases the content of bioactive compounds associated with health effects.

Productive Performance and Cecum Microbiota Analysis of Broiler Chickens Supplemented with ß-Mannanases and Bacteriophages-A Pilot Study.

This study was conducted to evaluate the productive performance, intestinal health, and description of the cecum microbiota in broilers supplemented with ß-mannanases (MNs) and bacteriophages (BPs). Six hundred one-day-old broilers were divided into four groups and fed one of the following diets: CON-corn-soybean meal + 10 ppm enramycin (ENR); MN: CON + 500 ppm MN; BP: CON + 500 ppm BP; MN + BP: BP + 500 ppm MN. The BP and MN factors showed similar performances to ENR. MN improved the concentration of IgA in the jejunum at 35 days of age. The morphometric index (IM) of the thymus increased by adding MN, while BP increased the liver and thymus IM. The histological analysis showed that BP and MN improved the intestinal morphology. MN + BP showed a tendency to decrease the abundance of Proteobacteria and increase the abundance of Bacteroidetes, indicating better microbiota function. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the combination of MN + BP has potential in poultry nutrition; however, we highly recommend further experiments to confirm this hypothesis.

Chaya Leaf Decreased Triglycerides and Improved Oxidative Stress in Subjects With Dyslipidemia.

Chaya is an edible leaf popular in Mexico and Central America because of its high nutritional value. Studies in animal models have demonstrated the beneficial effects of Chaya, which include reduction of circulating lipids and increase in antioxidant activity. However, its hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects have not been demonstrated in humans. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Chaya on the lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell gene expression in a population with dyslipidemia. We performed a single-arm trial in 30 participants with dyslipidemia who consumed 500 mL of Chaya beverage per day over a 6-week period. Interestingly, we observed a significant decrease in serum triglyceride concentration (P < 0.05) and an increase in plasma antioxidant activity and polyphenol concentration (P < 0.005) after 6 weeks of Chaya consumption. This was accompanied by a reduction in the oxidative stress marker MDA (P < 0.0001) and by an increase in the antioxidant enzyme CAT expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (P < 0.001). Altogether, our results demonstrate that consumption of Chaya has hypotriglyceridemic and antioxidant effects in subjects with dyslipidemia.

Adiponectin synthesis and secretion by subcutaneous adipose tissue is impaired during obesity by endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissues stores excess energy as triglycerides and synthesize adiponectin to prevent ectopic lipid accumulation and lipotoxicity. During obesity, an impairment in the capacity of SAT to store triglycerides and synthesize adiponectin is associated with increased free fatty acids (FFA) release, leading to VAT hypertrophy and hepatic and skeletal muscle lipotoxicity. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) may be involved in SAT dysfunction during obesity. The objectives of this study were to assess UPR activation and adiponectin synthesis in: 1) SAT and VAT from mice exposed to acute pharmacologic or chronic obesity-induced ER stress and in 2) cultured mice primary mature adipocytes or adipocytes differentiated in vitro from SAT and VAT exposed to tunicamycin or thapsigargin. Mice fed a high-fat diet developed obesity, increased FFA and lower circulating adiponectin in association with lower adiponectin synthesis and increased UPR markers in SAT. Mice subjected to acute ER stress by pioglitazone administration and a low-dose tunicamycin injection presented a maladaptive UPR activation in SAT along with reduced adiponectin synthesis and secretion and increased lipolysis with respect to VAT, associated with lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle and liver. Primary adipocytes and adipocytes differentiated from SAT exposed to pharmacologic ER stress also developed maladaptive UPR, along with reduced adiponectin synthesis and increased lipolysis with respect to those from VAT. Our results indicate that compared to VAT, SAT is more susceptible to ER stress, leading to increased lipolysis and reduced adiponectin synthesis and secretion.

The mTORC1-Signaling Pathway and Hepatic Polyribosome Profile Are Enhanced after the Recovery of a Protein Restricted Diet by a Combination of Soy or Black Bean with Corn Protein.

Between 6% and 11% of the world's population suffers from malnutrition or undernutrition associated with poverty, aging or long-term hospitalization. The present work examined the effect of different types of proteins on the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTORC1)-signaling pathway in: (1) healthy; and (2) protein restricted rats. (1) In total, 200 rats were divided into eight groups and fed one of the following diets: 20% casein (C), soy (S), black bean (B), B + Corn (BCr), Pea (P), spirulina (Sp), sesame (Se) or Corn (Cr). Rats fed C or BCr had the highest body weight gain; rats fed BCr had the highest pS6K1/S6K1 ratio; rats fed B, BCr or P had the highest eIF4G expression; (2) In total, 84 rats were fed 0.5% C for 21 day and protein rehabilitated with different proteins. The S, soy + Corn (SCr) and BCr groups had the highest body weight gain. Rats fed SCr and BCr had the highest eIF4G expression and liver polysome formation. These findings suggest that the quality of the dietary proteins modulate the mTORC1-signaling pathway. In conclusion, the combination of BCr or SCr are the best proteins for dietary protein rehabilitation due to the significant increase in body weight, activation of the mTORC1-signaling pathway in liver and muscle, and liver polysome formation.

Jatropha curcas Protein Concentrate Stimulates Insulin Signaling, Lipogenesis, Protein Synthesis and the PKCα Pathway in Rat Liver.

Jatropha curcas is an oil seed plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Nontoxic genotypes have been reported in Mexico. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the effect of a Mexican variety of J. curcas protein concentrate (JCP) on weight gain, biochemical parameters, and the expression of genes and proteins involved in insulin signaling, lipogenesis, cholesterol and protein synthesis in rats. The results demonstrated that short-term consumption of JCP increased serum glucose, insulin, triglycerides and cholesterol levels as well as the expression of transcription factors involved in lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis (SREBP-1 and LXRα). Moreover, there was an increase in insulin signaling mediated by Akt phosphorylation and mTOR. JCP also increased PKCα protein abundance and the activation of downstream signaling pathway targets such as the AP1 and NF-κB transcription factors typically activated by phorbol esters. These results suggested that phorbol esters are present in JCP, and that they could be involved in the activation of PKC which may be responsible for the high insulin secretion and consequently the activation of insulin-dependent pathways. Our data suggest that this Mexican Jatropha variety contains toxic compounds that produce negative metabolic effects which require caution when using in the applications of Jatropha-based products in medicine and nutrition.

The effect of isorhamnetin glycosides extracted from Opuntia ficus-indica in a mouse model of diet induced obesity.

A diet rich in polyphenols can ameliorate some metabolic alterations associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) is a plant rich in isorhamnetin glycosides and is highly consumed in Mexico. The purpose of this research was to determine the metabolic effect of an OFI extract on a mouse model of diet-induced obesity and in isolated pancreatic islets. OFI extract was added to a high fat (HF) diet at a low (0.3%) or high (0.6%) dose and administered to C57BL/6 mice for 12 weeks. Mice fed the HF diet supplemented with the OFI extract gained less body weight and exhibited significantly lower circulating total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol compared to those fed the HF diet alone. The HF-OFI diet fed mice presented lower glucose and insulin concentration than the HF diet fed mice. However, the HF-OFI diet fed mice tended to have higher insulin concentration than control mice. The OFI extract stimulated insulin secretion in vitro, associated with increased glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) mRNA content. Furthermore, the OFI extract improved glucose tolerance, and additionally increased energy expenditure. These metabolic improvements were associated with reduced adipocyte size, increased hepatic IRS1 tyr-608 and S6 K thr-389 phosphorylation. OFI isorhamnetin glycosides also diminished the hepatic lipid content associated with reduced mRNA expression of the endoplasmic reticulum stress markers and lipogenic enzymes and increased mRNA expression of genes related to fatty acid oxidation. Overall, the OFI extract prevented the development of metabolic abnormalities associated with diet-induced obesity.