Nootkatone Counteracts Melamine-Mediated Nephrotoxicity via Modulation of Intermediate Filament Proteins, Oxidative, Inflammatory, and Apoptotic Events.

Background: Nootkatone (NK), a bioactive sesquiterpene ketone, is a major ingredient in grapefruit that has distinguished biological activities. Melamine (MM), a food adulterant, was reported to induce toxic effects including renal disorders. Hence, this protocol was devoted to evaluate the renoprotective impact of NK toward MM-evoked renal damage. Methods: Rats were either exposed to MM (700 mg/kg) or a combination of MM and two doses of NK (5 and 10 mg/kg). Results: The results showed that NK therapy notably decreased the kidney functional parameters, along with KIM-1 and NGAL expressions of MM group. Furthermore, a decrease in MDA and NO levels as well as an elevation in SOD, CAT, GSH, and SOD and NRF2 mRNA expression in the NK group demonstrated NK's ability to enhance the renal antioxidant defense of the MM group. Significant suppression in renal inflammatory markers was achieved by NK via lessening of IL-1ß and TNF-α, besides downregulation of NF-κB and IL-1ß expressions. NK also downregulated vimentin, nestin, and desmin in the MM group. Additionally, in response to the MM exposure, NK hindered renal apoptosis by decreasing caspase-3 expression and restoring renal histopathological features. Conclusion: These outcomes suggest that NK can be considered as a prospective candidate to guard against MM exposure-mediated renal toxic effects.

Effect of urea-treated rice straw, mixed with faba bean straw, on nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites and performance of growing lambs.

The present study aimed to use poor quality roughages, such as rice and faba bean straw, treated with or without urea, and their impacts on digestibility, rumen fermentation, some blood parameters, and growth performance of lambs. Twenty crossbred male lambs (1/4 Finland ×¾ Ossimi, 25±1.13kg live body weight) were chosen and divided into four groups. All lambs were fed rations of concentrated feed mixture at 2% of live weight with the following roughages ad libitum: URS (control group, untreated rice straw), TRS (urea-treated rice straw), FBS (faba bean straw), and TRS+FBS (mixture of TRS and FBS, 1:1). Nutrient digestibility and feeding values improved (P<0.05) with TRS+FBS lambs versus FBS, TRS and URS lambs. The highest numerical values of ruminal total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration in TRS lambs were recorded 23.9 ml.eq/dl followed by TRS+FBS, URS and FBS. Regarding to the ruminal parameters, there were no differences (P>0.05) among evaluated groups except for NH3-N, the highest concentration (P<0.05) was recorded in TRS lambs at 3 h post-feeding. Lambs of TRS, FBS and TRS+FBS showed faster growth (P<0.05) than those of the control (i.e., URS). Intakes of dry matter, total digestible nutrients, and digestible crude protein were numerically increased for TRS, FBS, and TRS+FBS. Feed conversion, as kg dry matter/kg gain, was improved for TRS, FBS, and TRS+FBS lambs versus URS. Daily gain of lambs increased (P<0.05) with lambs of TRS, FBS, and TRS+FBS but URS lambs showed a decrease (P<0.05) in daily gain. Feed conversion as kg dry matter intake/kg gain was improved (P<0.05) by feeding on TRS, FBS and TRS+FBS rations versus URS. The TRS+FBS lambs tended to have the highest economic efficiency versus URS, TRS and FBS lambs. It was concluded that urea-treated rice straw could be used as sole roughage or mixed with faba bean straw (1:1) in growing lambs' ration to improve their performance and economic efficiency without adversely affecting their health.The present study aimed to use poor quality roughages, such as rice and faba bean straw, treated with or without urea, and their impacts on digestibility, rumen fermentation, some blood parameters, and growth performance of lambs. Twenty crossbred male lambs (1/4 Finland ×¾ Ossimi, 25±1.13kg live body weight) were chosen and divided into four groups. All lambs were fed rations of concentrated feed mixture at 2% of live weight with the following roughages ad libitum: URS (control group, untreated rice straw), TRS (urea-treated rice straw), FBS (faba bean straw), and TRS+FBS (mixture of TRS and FBS, 1:1). Nutrient digestibility and feeding values improved (P<0.05) with TRS+FBS lambs versus FBS, TRS and URS lambs. The highest numerical values of ruminal total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration in TRS lambs were recorded 23.9 ml.eq/dl followed by TRS+FBS, URS and FBS. Regarding to the ruminal parameters, there were no differences (P>0.05) among evaluated groups except for NH3-N, the highest concentration (P<0.05) was recorded in TRS lambs at 3 h post-feeding. Lambs of TRS, FBS and TRS+FBS showed faster growth (P<0.05) than those of the control (i.e., URS). Intakes of dry matter, total digestible nutrients, and digestible crude protein were numerically increased for TRS, FBS, and TRS+FBS. Feed conversion, as kg dry matter/kg gain, was improved for TRS, FBS, and TRS+FBS lambs versus URS. Daily gain of lambs increased (P<0.05) with lambs of TRS, FBS, and TRS+FBS but URS lambs showed a decrease (P<0.05) in daily gain. Feed conversion as kg dry matter intake/kg gain was improved (P<0.05) by feeding on TRS, FBS and TRS+FBS rations versus URS. The TRS+FBS lambs tended to have the highest economic efficiency versus URS, TRS and FBS lambs. It was concluded that urea-treated rice straw could be used as sole roughage or mixed with faba bean straw (1:1) in growing lambs' ration to improve their performance and economic efficiency without adversely affecting their health.

Effect of acetic acid addition to rice straw pre-treated with urea on performance of dairy ewes.

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of acetic acid addition to rice straws that had been already treated with urea on chemical composition, digestibility, nutritive value, and productive performance of ewes. Thirty ewes with an initial body weight of 44 ± 0.41 kg were chosen 7 days after parturition and divided into 3 groups (10 of each) for 3 months. Each group was assigned randomly to receive one of the three experimental rations composed of concentrate feed mixture and untreated rice straw as a control group (G1), urea-treated rice straw (G2), and urea-acetic acid-treated rice straw (G3). Digestibility coefficients and nutritive value were determined using fifteen mature rams and blood samples were obtained at the end of the collecting period. Findings indicated that the crude protein of rice straw was increased, and crude fiber content was decreased by either urea or urea-acetic acid rations (i.e., G2 and G3). Digestibility of most nutrients was increased (P < 0.05) for animals fed either G2 or G3 rations. There were no significant differences in nutritive value as total digestible nutrients (TDN) among tested groups; however, digestible crude protein (DCP) increased (P < 0.05) for G2 and G3 rations. Plasma total protein, AST, creatinine, and urea were increased (P < 0.05) by feeding on G2 or G3 ration; however, plasma ALT was not affected. The average daily intake of dry matter (DM), TDN, and DCP was higher for G2 and G3 rations. Actual milk yield, fat-corrected milk (FCM), percentages of fat, and total solids and constituents yield were increased (P < 0.05) by feeding on treated rice straw rations (i.e., G2 and G3); however, the percentages of protein, lactose, solids not fat, and ash were not affected. In the 1st month after parturition, the changes in ewes body weight were less (P < 0.05) when they fed on G2 and G3 rations than the control one (G1)). Dams' production and offspring performance were improved (P < 0.05) by feeding on G2 and G3 rations. Feed conversion as kg DMI/kg FCM, kg TDN/kg FCM, and economic efficiency was improved for G2 and G3. In concluded, adding acetic acid to urea-treated rice straw may improve the performance of ewes fed on it and increase their milk production and profitability. The same trend was observed with (G2) which received urea-treated rice straw ration.

Dietary inclusion of restaurant food waste effects on nutrient digestibility, milk yield and its composition, blood metabolites of lactating Zaraibi goats, and their offspring performance.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of rations containing restaurant food waste (RFW) on nutrient digestibility, milk yield and its composition, and some blood parameters of lactating Zaraibi goats. In the last month of pregnancy, 30 goats (32.8 + 0.91 kg body weight and aged 3-4 years) were chosen and divided into three similar groups (10 goats per group). Each group was randomly assigned to be fed one of the experimental rations. The control group (R1) fed on a ration comprising concentrate feed mixture (CFM1) and berseem as a fresh roughage whereas the second (R2) and the third groups (R3) fed on CFM partially substituted by 15 and 30% of RFW (CFM2 and CFM3, respectively). Nutrient digestibility and feeding values were improved with R3 goats, which had the highest level of RFW (30%) versus R2 and R1 goats. The total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration in the in-rumen liquor was elevated by increasing the level of RFW up to 30% in CFM3 of R3 goats. Actual daily milk yields were significantly (P < 0.05) higher (1269.30 g/h/d) for R3 goats versus R1 and R2 (1037.57 and 1180.70 g/h/d, respectively). The inclusion of RFW in rations had a significant effect on the yield of milk constituents, without significant different among experimental rations regarding some blood constituents and offspring performance. Economic feed efficiency (relative feed cost and relative daily profit) was improved by including RFW in the CFM. Therefore, it can be concluded that the inclusion of up to 30% RFW improved productive performance and economic efficiency in lactating Zaraibi goat rations.

Reproductive toxic impact of subchronic treatment with combined butylparaben and triclosan in weanling male rats.

The effect of treatment with combined butylparaben and triclosan on male gonadal toxicity in weanling rats was investigated. All treated groups experienced atrophy in the ventral prostate and seminal vesicle, likewise significant depletion in the number and motility of sperm. Given individually or combined butylparaben and triclosan, significantly decreased testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Individual treatment with tested compounds caused significant elevation in the E2 level, whereas combined treatment did not alter the E2 level. Testicular DNA damage was recorded in all treated groups. Moreover, the testicular malondialdehyde level was significantly elevated, along with a significant decrease in catalase enzyme activity in all treated groups. Superoxide dismutase enzyme activity was significantly decreased in the butylparaben-treated group, increased in the triclosan-treated group, and nonsignificantly changed the butylparaben-triclosan-treated group. The combined treatment produced an endocrine disturbance with a concomitant induction of testicular oxidative stress, which may represent a common mechanism of endocrine disruptor-mediated dysfunction.

Basilar artery vasospasm after pretuncal non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage responding to milrinone.

Pretruncal (perimesencephalic) non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (PNSAH) is uniformly associated with an excellent outcome. Although cerebral vasospasm remains a common complication of SAH and constitutes an important predictor of outcome, in the setting of PNSAH, it is extremely rare. Preturnal non-aneurysmal subarac refers to a subset of SAH patients with a characteristic pattern of localized blood on CT of the head, normal cerebral angiography, and benign course when compared to the aneurysmal SAH population. The presence of radiological or even clinical vasospasm does not exclude the diagnosis of PNSAH. To our knowledge, this is the first case of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm due to PNSAH that responded to milrinone.