Effects of a Fish Oil Rich in Docosahexaenoic Acid on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Oxidative Stress in Healthy Rats

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with a lower risk of cardiometabolic diseases. However, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is easily oxidized, leading to cellular damage. The present study examined the effects of an increased concentration of DHA in fish oil (80% of total fatty acids) on cardiometabolic risk factors and oxidative stress compared to coconut oil, soybean oil, and fish oil containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA in a balanced ratio. Forty healthy male Sprague–Dawley rats were supplemented with corresponding oil for 10 weeks. Supplementation with the fish oil containing 80% DHA decreased plasma fat, plasma total cholesterol and muscle fat compared to the coconut oil and the soybean oil. Increasing concentrations of DHA induced incorporation of DHA and EPA in cell membranes and tissues along with a decrease in ω-6 arachidonic acid. The increase in DHA promoted lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation and antioxidant response. Taken together, the increased concentration of DHA in fish oil reduced fat accumulation compared to the coconut oil and the soybean oil. This benefit was accompanied by high lipid peroxidation and subsequent protein carbonylation in plasma and in liver. In our healthy framework, the slightly higher carbonylation found after receiving fish oil containing 80% DHA might be a protecting mechanism, which fit with the general improvement of antioxidant defense observed in those rats.     

The effect of dietary protein source (fishmeal vs. plant protein) and non‐starch polysaccharide level on fat digestibility and faecal bile acid loss in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study investigated in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) if diet composition and feeding level affect faecal bile acid loss, and whether this reflects on the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of fat. Six diets were formulated with either fishmeal or plant protein as main protein source. This created a contrast in the supply of bile acids, the bile acid precursor cholesterol, taurine and the taurine precursors (methionine + cysteine) involved in bile acid conjugation. For both protein sources, three diets were formulated with increasing inclusion of a non‐starch polysaccharide (NSP)‐rich ingredient mixture (0.0, 82.0 and 164.2 g/kg diet). This aimed at enhancing faecal bile acid loss. Fish were fed both restrictively (1.2% BW/day) and to satiation. A similar fat ADC was found when substituting fishmeal with a plant protein mixture, suggesting that the lower content of bile acids, cholesterol, taurine, methionine and cysteine in the plant‐based diets did not limit fat digestion. Faecal bile acid loss increased alongside dietary NSP level, however, only during satiation feeding and most strongly for fish fed the fishmeal‐based diets. Enhanced faecal bile acid loss was not caused by NSP‐bile acid binding/entrapment, but by an increase in faeces production. During satiation feeding, fat ADC negatively correlated with faecal bile acid loss. From this it is concluded that bile acid availability/synthesis can become limiting for fat digestion in rainbow trout under conditions that enhance faecal bile acid loss (i.e. dietary NSP level and feeding level).     

Interactive effects of dietary astaxanthin and cholesterol on the growth,pigmentation, fatty acid analysis,immune response and stress resistance of kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus)

A 56‐day feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the interactive effects of chemically synthesized astaxanthin (Ax) and cholesterol (CHO) on the performances of kuruma shrimp juveniles. Six experimental diets containing 2 levels of Ax (0 and 0.6 g/kg diet) and 3 levels of CHO (0, 6 and 20 g/kg diet) were formulated in 2 × 3 factorial design. The results indicated that the interactions between dietary CHO and Ax were not significant on survival, growth performances, body proximate analysis, immune response and freshwater stress test. Significantly, better pigmentation performances and Ax contents of different parts of juveniles (whole body, muscle, carapace and head) were observed in higher Ax (Ax_0.6)‐supplemented groups. Meanwhile, interactions of dietary Ax and CHO were also found on colour reading parameters and whole‐body Ax contents. In addition, juveniles fed with the diet containing Ax at 0.6 g/kg diet in addition to CHO at 0, 6 and 20 g/kg diet showed better performances on digestive enzyme activities (protease, lipase and amylase) of hepatopancreas than 0 g Ax/kg diet supplemented with CHO at 0, 6 and 20 g/kg diet. It was concluded that dietary Ax and CHO functioned interactively.     

Comparative study on hormones and biochemistry indices in plasma,ovarian fluid and oocytes of LHRHa2‐induced female Stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus)

Reproduction efficacy of sturgeon as donors of oocytes is regulated by hormones effects. It can influence the egg quality or larvae functions as rearing mediators for successful production. This study is conducted to evaluate the concentration of sex steroids, cortisol and thyroid hormones and distinguish the relationship of maternal hormones' correlation in Stellate sturgeon. The study followed the hormones fluctuations that could impress some egg quality information such as fertilization rate. Female breeders were injected with LHRH_a2 for controlled propagation. Samples from blood, ovarian fluid and oocytes were obtained for hormonal and biochemical analysis. Our results showed that the concentrations of estradiol 17‐β and testosterone were significantly higher and lower in oocyte and the plasma, respectively. The level of plasma cortisol was significantly higher than in ovarian fluid and oocytes. The results showed elevation of triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations in oocytes, which were significantly different with plasma and ovarian fluid. Thyroxine concentration of plasma and ovarian fluid revealed a significant negative correlation. The mentioned parameters showed negative correlation with fertilization rate. The biochemical parameters (calcium, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride) revealed significant differences in blood, ovarian fluid and oocytes. These results showed direct relations of fertilization rate with hormones level. Therefore, fertilization rate as egg quality index could be recommended as a relevant indicator of maternal transferring of hormones from blood and ovarian fluid to oocyte.     

燕麦抗动脉粥样硬化作用的研究进展

燕麦是全世界种植和食用的古老粮食作物之一,β-葡聚糖是燕麦中的主要活性化合物,燕麦还含有大量其他生物活性化合物,如酚酸、生育酚、燕麦蒽酰胺等。血浆中胆固醇水平升高、炎症反应和脂蛋白的氧化是动脉粥样硬化的特征。燕麦具有降低血浆总胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇的作用,并且还具有抗炎、抗氧化以及保护内皮功能的作用;燕麦能够通过改善肠道菌群促进短链脂肪酸产生,加速胆固醇向胆汁酸的转化以降低全身胆固醇水平。研究证明,燕麦具有抗动脉粥样硬化的功效。对燕麦抗动脉粥样硬化作用进行综述,以期对后续研究提供参考。     

苦参苍术颗粒对大肠杆菌感染肉鸡肝组织胆固醇代谢的调节作用

旨在探究苦参苍术颗粒是否通过调节肝组织胆固醇代谢，改善致病性大肠杆菌诱导的肉鸡肝组织胆固醇合成异常。将40只21日龄白羽肉鸡随机分为空白对照组、模型对照组、苦参苍术低剂量组、中剂量组和高剂量组，每组8只。模型对照组和苦参苍术组分别胸部肌肉注射0.7 mL致病性大肠杆菌菌液(8.37×10⁸ CFU·mL^-1),苦参苍术组在接种菌液24 h后，在饮水中分别添加不同剂量的苦参苍术颗粒(低剂量组：3.6 g·L^-1,中剂量组：5.5 g·L^-1,高剂量组：7.3 g·L^-1),自由饮水，连用7 d。试验结束，所有试验肉鸡处死，收集血液，采集组织样品，称体重和各器官重；采用石蜡切片技术观察肝组织形态变化；检测血清和肝组织中总胆固醇(total cholesterol, TCH)、甘油三酯(hepatic triglyceride, TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low-densi...     

皮质酮处理对产蛋鸡肝脏胆固醇代谢的影响

为研究慢性应激对产蛋鸡肝脏胆固醇代谢的影响,试验选用48只158日龄如皋黄鸡,随机分成2个处理组,每组8个重复,每个重复3只鸡。对照组注射等体积的生理盐水(含15%酒精),试验组注射4 mg/kg的皮质酮,连续注射7 d建立慢性应激模型。试验结束后对其血浆和肝脏中胆固醇含量以及肝脏中胆固醇代谢相关基因的mRNA和蛋白表达进行分析。结果显示:皮质酮处理显著促进了产蛋鸡肝脏重以及肝脏和血浆中总胆固醇含量(P<0.01),显著促进了产蛋鸡肝脏中胆固醇合成基因SREBP2和HMGCR的mRNA和蛋白表达水平(P<0.05),胆固醇降解基因CYP7A1的蛋白表达、CYP27A1和转运基因LDLR的mRNA和蛋白表达水平在皮质酮处理后亦显著上调(P<0.05)。研究表明,皮质酮通过上调肝脏中胆固醇合成基因SREBP2和HMGCR以及转运基因LDLR的mRNA和蛋白表达,进而造成产蛋鸡肝脏中胆固醇累积。     

奶粉中胆固醇的测定方法验证

为了提高日常奶粉中胆固醇的检测效率,本文建立了一种更为便捷的气相色谱法检测奶粉中的胆固醇。通过乙醇和氢氧化钾溶液对奶粉试样进行皂化反应,再以石油醚对样液中的胆固醇组分进行提取,最后通过平行浓缩仪将提取液浓缩至近干,再以正己烷定容,采用气相色谱分析法,外标法定量。本方法具有检出限低、精密度高、正确度高、操作过程简便、效率更高简便等优点。