Dynamics of Bt cotton Cry1Ac protein content under an alternating high temperature regime and effects on nitrogen metabolism

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of alternating high temperature on Cry1Ac protein content on Bt cotton cultivars Sikang 1(SK-1,a conventional cultivar)and Sikang 3(SK-3,a hybrid cultivar).In 2011 and 2012,cotton plants were subjected to high temperature treatments ranging from 32 to 40℃ in climate chambers to investigate the effects of high temperature on boll shell insecticidal protein expression.The experiments showed that significant decline of the boll shell insecticidal protein was detected at temperatures higher than 38℃ after 24 h.Based on the results,the cotton plants were treated with the threshold temperature of 38℃ from 6:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m.followed by a normal temperature of 27℃ during the remaining night hours(DH/NN)in 2012 and 2013.These treatments were conducted at peak boll growth stage for both cultivars in study periods of 0,4,7,and 10 d.Temperature treatment of 32℃ from 6:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m.and 27℃ in the remaining hours was set as control.The results showed that,compared with the control,after the DH/NN stress treatment applied for 7 d,the boll shell Cry1Ac protein content level was significantly decreased by 19.1 and 17.5% for SK-1 and by 15.3 and 13.7% for SK-3 in 2012 and 2013,respectively.Further analysis of nitrogen metabolic physiology under DH/NN showed that the soluble protein content and the glutamic pyruvic transaminase(GPT)activities decreased slightly after 4 d,and then decreased sharply after 7 d.The free amino acid content and the protease content increased sharply after 7 d.The changes in SK-1 were greater than those in SK-3.These results suggest that under DH/NN stress,boll shell Cry1Ac protein content decline was delayed.Reduced protein synthesis and increased protein degradation in the boll shell decreased protein content,including Bt protein,which may reduce resistance to the cotton bollworm.     

Comparison of effects of dietary‐specific fatty acids on growth and lipid metabolism in Nile tilapia

The dominant fatty acids (FAs) in oils are often used to explain different nutritional effects of dietary oils in fish. However, the amounts of dominant FAs among oils are different, and the nutritional roles of these important FAs in fish have not been precisely compared at similar levels in feeding trials. In the present study, different amounts of palmitic acid were added to safflower oil (SO), olive oil (OO) and fish oil (FO) to obtain comparable amounts (about 550 g/kg of total FAs) of 18:2n‐6, 18:1n‐9 and 20:5n‐3 + 22:6n‐3 and subsequently fed to Nile tilapia (11.1 ± 0.01 g) for 8 weeks. The results showed similar growth among groups but FO group obtained lower fat deposition, serum ALT and AST activities, compared to OO. Lipogenesis‐related gene expressions were higher in OO group than FO group in liver, muscle and adipose tissue, but there were only few differences in these genes between SO and FO groups. Lipid catabolism genes in FO group were higher than OO and SO groups in adipose tissue, but not in muscle, and the significantly higher expressions of CPT1b and PPARα were only observed in liver. Overall, dietary 18:2n‐6, 20:5n‐3 and 22:6n‐3 were beneficial to normal growth and lipid metabolism, whereas high amount of 18:1n‐9 induced lipid deposition and liver damage in Nile tilapia.     

Ethanol extract from Cortex Albiziae attenuates mouse acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride via modulation of NF-κB pathway

AIM:To investigate the protective effect of ethanol extract from Cortex Albiziae on acute liver injury, and to explore its possible mechanism. METHODS:Acute liver injury in mice was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of 25% carbon tetrachloride (olive oil solubilization). The effective parts of ethanol extract from Cortex Albizziae against acute liver injury were screened. The pathological changes of the liver tissues were examined by pathological sections with HE staining. The activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) of the liver tissues were detected, the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were mea-sured by ELISA, and the protein expression levels of NF-κB p65, Bcl-2 and Bax in the liver cells of the mice in each group were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with model group, the serum levels of AST and ALT in low-dose n-butanol phase of ethanol extract from Cortex Albiziae (AB-L, 4 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) group and high-dose n-butanol phase of ethanol extract from Cortex Albiziae (AB-H, 8 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) group were significantly decreased. The necrosis extent and degree of the hepatocytes and infiltration of inflammatory cells were significantly lower than that in model group. Compared with model group, the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in AB-H group and AB-L group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The protein level of NF-κB p65 in the nuclei of mouse liver cells in AB-H group and AB-L group were also decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with model group, the protein expression of Bax was decreased, the protein expression of Bcl-2 was increased, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was increased in AB-L group and AB-H group. CONCLUSION:The n-butanol phase of ethanol extract from Cortex Albiziae may protect the liver by reducing the activation of NF-κB p65, inhibiting the excessive release of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and decreasing hepatocyte apoptosis via regulating Bcl-2 and Bax expression.     

四种柱花草种子萌发中参与氮代谢的酶活性变化

研究了4种柱花草种子萌发过程中参与氮代谢的蛋白酶、肽酶和硝酸还原酶活性的动态变化。结果表明,蛋白酶的活性随着柱花草种子萌发的深入而不断上升,在种子即将露白胚根突破种皮的时候蛋白酶活性达到最大值。此后,随着胚芽的生长蛋白酶活性逐渐降低,其中热研2号柱花草的蛋白酶活性高于其他3种;肽酶活性的变化总体呈上升趋势;硝酸还原酶呈S型变化。了解柱花草种子萌发期各种酶活性的变化规律,为深入研究柱花草种子萌发时贮藏物质的动员和代谢机理提供数据。     

鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶对肥胖模型大鼠体重、脂肪沉积及脂质代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶对肥胖大鼠体重、脂肪沉积及脂质代谢影响。随机选取雄性大鼠108只,体重220~240 g,适应性饲养3 d。分为对照组(Ⅰ组)、高脂组(Ⅱ组)和高脂模型组;高脂模型组造模成功后,将其按体重随机分为7组,每组3个重复,每个重复4只;各组在基础饲粮中分别添加0(Ⅲ组)、0.01%(Ⅳ组)、0.05%(Ⅴ组)、0.1%(Ⅵ组)、0.2%(Ⅶ组)、0.4%(Ⅷ组)、0.8%(Ⅸ组)的果胶酶。试验期8周。结果表明:1)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够有效抑制肥胖模型大鼠体重的增长,降低Lee’s指数,控制体型发育。2)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够降低肥胖模型大鼠机体脂肪沉积量。3)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够有效地对肥胖模型大鼠由于摄入高脂饲粮引起的脂肪肝进行干预,使其恢复到正常水平。4)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够降低肥胖模型大鼠血清总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、游离脂肪酸含量,提高血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量。5)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够降低肥胖模型大鼠谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性,提高血清脂蛋白酯酶和肝酯酶活性。由此可见,鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶对肥胖模型大鼠脂肪沉积和脂质代谢具有显著干预修复作用,降脂效果明显。     

Study on Developmental Expression of ApoCⅡ Gene mRNA in Liver Tissues of Pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental patterns of ApoCⅡ gene mRNA in liver in Mashen and Large White pigs, and study the relationship between the expression level of ApoCⅡ and the lipid metabolism in pigs.The mRNA relative expressions of ApoCⅡ gene in liver at seven stages of 1,30,60,90,120,150,and 180-day old in Mashen and Large White pigs were determined by quantitative Real-time PCR.The results showed that the developmental trend of ApoCⅡ mRNA expression in liver between Mashen and Large White pigs was different.The ApoCⅡ mRNA abundance was decreased from birth to 60-day old,then increased at 90-day old,and decreased again after that in Mashen pig.However,the relative expression amount in Large White pig was gradually decreased from birth to 150-day old and increased again at 180-day old.Except for the ApoCⅡ mRNA expression amount at 1-day old,the differences of the expression amount at other stages in Mashen and Large White pigs were significant or extremely significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01).The ApoCⅡ mRNA expression in liver was affected by age and breed,and could play an important role in lipid metabolism in pigs.     

Research Progress on Effects of Proline on Reproductive Performance of Sows

Proline is a cyclic α-imino acids,meanwhile it also can be considered as a functional amino acid for mammals and plays an important role in protein synthesis,organism metabolism,wound healing,anti-oxidant and immune reactions. The studys have found that extra dietary supplementation of moderated proline has great significance in improving the growth and development of conceptus,piglets, embryo,mammary gland and placenta of sows,at the same time it also can prevent intrauterine growth restriction. The author reviewed structure characters and physicochemical properties,anabolism and catabolism of proline,and especially focused on its effects on the reproductive performance of pregnancy sows and potential regulation mechanism aiming to provide some help for the researchers in the field of sows.     

代谢组学在反刍动物营养研究中的应用进展

代谢组学是研究生物系统中所有代谢物的一门新兴学科。它能够检测生命系统中某一特定生物层次的所有代谢物的变化,并能够利用其特有的分析技术平台和数据分析平台对所得代谢物进行系统性度量。近年来,因其测试技术的广泛适用性,代谢组学逐渐被应用于反刍动物的营养学研究中。本文从瘤胃代谢组学、肝脏代谢组学、乳腺代谢组学和血液代谢组学等4个方面对代谢组学在反刍动物营养研究中的应用进展进行了综述。     

Study on Liver-protective Effect of Chinese Herbal Compound Probiotics on Acute Liver Injury Layers

This experiment was conducted to investigate the liver-protective effect of Chinese herbal compound probiotics (CHCP) on acute liver injury layers.One hundred and eight 1 day old hens were divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates in each group and 9 layers per replicate in trial 1.The layers in model groups Ⅰ to Ⅲ were gavaged with 10% (V/V) soybean oil solution of carbon tetrachloride (SCCl₄) according to 1,2 and 4 mL/(kg·BW) at 14,28 and 35 d,respectively.The layers in control group were gavaged with 2 mL/(kg·BW) soybean oil.In trial 2,sixty 1 d layers were divided into 5 groups:Control group (soybean oil),model control group(SCCl₄)and low-dose,middle-dose and high-dose CHCP group (SCCl₄+1‰ CHCP,SCCl₄+2‰ CHCP and SCCl₄+4‰ CHCP respectively).CHCP were used by drinking water since 7 days.SCCl₄ were gavaged according to 2 mL/(kg·BW) at 14 and 28 d.The results showed as follows:The model of layers liver damage could be built by intragastric administration of 2 mL/(kg·BW) 10%(V/V) SCCl₄ at 14,28 d respectively,with the signs of hepatic steatosis,severe vacuolar degeneration,nuclear condensation and necrosis.Compared to the model control group,the serum AST levels in low,medium and high dose CHCP groups were decreased by 4.35% (P > 0.05),7.57% (P > 0.05) and 9.79% (P < 0.05),the serum ALT levels in medium and high dose CHCP groups were decreased by 34.92% (P < 0.01),36.51% (P < 0.01),the serum total bilirubin content in medium and high dose CHCP groups were decreased by 25.49% (P < 0.01),27.45% (P < 0.01).The liver cell congestion was reduced to varying degrees in different dose CHCP groups,and the liver cell had no vacuoles,arranged in neat rows,abundant cytoplasm and uniform in different dose CHCP groups.In conclusion,2‰,4‰ CHCP could reduce hepatocyte necrosis,decrease the serum activities of ALT,AST and total bilirubin levels,and had protective effect on hepatic injury induced by SCCl₄.     

Effect of Lysine Supplement on the Digestion and Metabolism of the Rumen in Small-tail Han Sheep

5 male Small-tail Han sheep with the body weight of 45 kg at 1.5 years old,fitted with permanent rumen fistula,to study of the effect of the supplement of the untreated commercial lysine on the rumen microbiocoenosis,rumen metabolism and whole body metabolism by 5×5 Latin square design (5 groups:control,control with low urea (equal nitrogen),low lysine,control with high urea (equal nitrogen),high lysine).The amounts of lysine-HCl supplement were 0,4.0 and 8.0 g/kg diet (as DM basis) in each group respectively,with two urea supplement control groups of equal amount of nitrogen.The results showed that by supplement of 4.0 and 8.0 g/kg of lysine-HCl diet (as DM basis) respectively,the voluntary intake of dry matter of sheep were increased by 5.5%(P>0.05) and 11.8%(P<0.05) respectively.The total amount of rumen bacteria were increased by 18.9%(P<0.01) and 23.9%(P<0.01) respectively,as the amount of rumen Coccus was increased by 21.2%(P<0.01) and 30.1%(P<0.01) respectively.The amount of rumen big Bacillus was decreased by 16.7%(P<0.05) and 33.3%(P<0.01) respectively.The total VFA of was increased by 9.6%(P<0.05) and 12.2%(P<0.01) respectively,as the butyric acid was increased by 12.8%(P>0.05) and 20.2%(P<0.01) respectively.The apparent digestibility of organic matter was increased by 6.4%(P>0.05) and 10.0%(P<0.05) respectively,the apparent digestibility of crude protein was increased by 7.0%(P>0.05) and 18.3%(P<0.01) respectively;And nitrogen retention was increased by 46.4%(P>0.05) and 110.7%(P<0.01) respectively.However,there was no effect of lysine supplement on the amounts of the rumen protozoa and fungi,and the concentration of rumen ammonia nitrogen.It was concluded that the supplement of untreated commercial lysine to adult sheep would increase the voluntary intake,digestibility,nitrogen retention the rumen microbiocoenosis and the total amount of rumen bacteria,especially the rumen Coccus of adult sheep.The effect of lysine supplement could not be replaced by urea supplement completely.