Guanidinoacetic acid supplementation in broiler chickens fed on corn-soybean diets affects performance in the finisher period and energy metabolites in breast muscle independent of diet nutrient density

(1) Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is the single immediate endogenous precursor of creatine (Cr). It was hypothesised that dietary GAA would have different effects on performance and energy metabolites in breast muscle depending on the nutrient density (ND) of corn-soybean-based diets.

(2) A total of 540 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were allocated to 9 dietary treatments with 6 replicates (10 birds each) in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement with three levels of ND (low, 2800; medium, 2950 and high, 3100 kcal metabolizable energy (ME)/kg; and with the other nutrients being constant relative to ME) and supplemented with three levels of GAA (0, 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg) in a 42-d feeding trial.

(3) In the starter and grower periods, increasing levels of ND improved body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), with the exception of ADFI in the starter period. GAA supplementation did not affect performance characteristics. All performance indicators responded markedly to increasing ND in the finisher period, whereas the highest GAA level reduced ADFI compared to the unsupplemented control (156 vs. 162 g/d) and concomitantly FCR (1.81 vs. 1.93). No interactive effects were noted for any performance trait. The high ND diet resulted in more breast meat yield on d42, associated with higher fat content and darker colour compared to the other ND levels. The GAA supplementation did not affect carcass and breast traits. At the end of the experiment, Cr was elevated when feeding GAA at 1.2 g/kg (5455 vs. 4338 mg/kg fresh muscle).

(4) To conclude, ND had a substantial effect on performance and carcass traits, whereas any effect of GAA was limited to FCR in the finisher period and independent of diet ND level.     

Baclofen intoxication in a dog successfully treated with hemodialysis and hemoperfusion coupled with intensive supportive care

Objective: To describe a case of confirmed baclofen intoxication in a dog that was successfully treated with hemodialysis and hemoperfusion (HD/HP) and to report the serum baclofen kinetics. Case summary: A 2.5‐year‐old, 23 kg, spayed female Brittany Spaniel‐mix was treated after ingesting 21‐52 mg/kg of baclofen. The dog was comatose and was receiving manual ventilation at the time of presentation. Extracorporeal HD/HP was started 10 hours after admission. Within 3 hours of starting HD/HP the dog began initiating breaths and was extubated 18 hours after admission. Serial serum samples that were obtained during the first 24 hours of hospitalization were later analyzed for baclofen concentrations. The dog had elevated creatine phosphokinase and liver enzymes that correlated with an agitated recovery period. The dog had thrombocytopenia that resolved by 10 days after presentation. New or unique information provided: HD/HP shortened the baclofen serum elimination half‐life from 5 to 1.5 hours in the initial 2 hours of treatment. The intrinsic elimination rate constant (K_intr) for this dog was 0.138/hour and the total elimination rate constant (K_tot) during the first 2 hours of HD/HP treatment was 0.458/hour. In this dog, HD/HP was an effective method for rapidly decreasing serum baclofen concentration after an acute overdose.     

Acquisition of the potential for sperm motility in steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss): effect of pH on dynein ATPase

Salmonid sperm pre-incubated at extracellular pH (pH_e) values less than about 7.4 do not become motile upon water activation whereas sperm maintained above about pH 8.0 demonstrate maximal motility upon activation. The basis for this permissive effect of elevated pH_e on sperm motility is not known. Since it is conceivable that the pH sensitivity of dyneinATPase (the molecular motor that drives flagellar movement) could be the basis of, or contribute to this pH dependency, the pH sensitivity of this enzymatic activity was evaluated in membrane-permeabilized axonemes (isolated flagella) ofsteelhead sperm. DyneinATPase activity was found to be sensitive to pH. This activity in permeabilized axonemes was about 3.5-fold higher at pH 7.6 compared to 7.0. To determine whether the pH sensitivity ofATP regeneration might affect the interpretation of the effect of pH on dyneinATPase activity, the pH sensitivities of creatine kinase and adenylate kinase were established. The rates ofATP generation by these enzymes were insensitive to pH between 6.5 and 8.0. The results of these studies are consistent with the hypothesis that prior maintenance at pH_e, in part, controls the potential for sperm motility upon water activation via an influence on dyneinATPase activity. However, the potential for motility ofsteelhead sperm is particularly sensitive to prior maintenance at pH_e values between about 7.4 and 8.0 whereas the dyneinATPase activity of permeabilized axonemes was particularly sensitive to pH values between 7.0 and 7.6. Phosphorus NMR spectroscopy was used to determine that sperm intracellular pH (pH_i) increased with increasing pH_e between 7.0 and 8.5 and pH_i was, on average 0.4–0.5 pH units lower than pH_e. Therefore the pH_e sensitivity of the potential for motility appears to correspond to the pH_i sensitivity of dyneinATPase activity. The data indicate that pH_i is directly related to pH_e and that prior incubation at pH_e may, in part, control the sperm's potential for motility upon water activation via an influence on dyneinATPase activity.     

Identification by isoelectric focusing of creatine kinase-MM isoforms in the plasma and striated muscle of pigs

Total creatine kinase (CK) and CK-MM isoforms were determined in plasma and longissimus dorsi muscle extracts from normal pigs. Based on their total CK activity, the pigs were divided into two groups. Pigs of group 1 (n=16) had a mean plasma total CK of 298±16 U/L and the distribution of the CK-MM isoforms was 65.7±2.5% CK-MM₃, 18.9±1.6% CK-MM₂ and 15.3±1.5% CK-MM. In group 2 (n=18; 826±75 U/L total CK) four isoforms were observed: 3.1±0.9% CK-MM, 67.9±3.0% CK-MM₃, 21.5±2.3% CK-MM₂ and 7.5±1.3% CK-MM₁. The differences between the two groups of pigs were significant (p<0.001) for CK-MM₁ and the presence of CK-MM. Four CK-MM isoforms were also detected in longissimus dorsi muscle homogenates: 45.6±8.1% CK-MM, 32.6±11.7% CK-MM₃, 16.6±2.3% CK-MM₂ and 5.1±2.8% CK-MM₁. The release of CK-MM isoforms from muscle into plasma seems to be unrelated to the concentration of these isoforms in striated muscle.     

谷氨酰胺的抗疲劳生化机制研究

用两批各 48只小鼠分 4组 (n =12 )每天分别灌喂生理盐水和 3 4mmol·kg-1的谷氨酰胺、谷氨酸和天冬酰胺 ,连续 10d。结果显示 ,三者都可提高小鼠血清、肝和骨骼肌中的肌酸磷酸激酶活性 ,降低乳酸脱氢酶活性 ,并显著增加肝、骨骼肌糖原积累。其中有相同碳架结构的谷氨酰胺、谷氨酸能极显著提高小鼠的游泳耐力 ,但与谷氨酰胺有相等酰胺氮的天冬酰胺作用不强。结果提示 ,谷氨酰胺提高机体抗疲劳作用与其碳架结构有关     

外源性磷酸肌酸停跳液对儿童心肌保护作用的临床观察

目的:观察外源性磷酸肌酸对儿童心肌保护作用。方法:将30例心脏手术患儿随机分为实验组和对照组,每组15例。实验组采用含磷酸肌酸(CP)的st.Thomas 号停跳液,对照组采用st.Thomas 号停跳液,分别以手术中心脏停跳液用量、心脏停搏情况、心脏复跳情况、术后心律失常的发生率、血中肌钙蛋白T(Tn T)评价两种诱导停跳液的心肌保护作用。结果:(1)实验组停跳液能达到与对照组停跳液同样好的停跳效果;(2 )心脏自动复跳率、复跳后ST段改变、术后心律失常的发生率,两组间差异无显著性(P>0 .0 5 ) ;(3)实验组术中、术后6、2 4、4 8h的血Tn T水平均明显低于对照组(P<0 .0 1)。结论:磷酸肌酸停跳液较单纯晶体停跳液具有更好的心肌保护作用。     

Effects of guanidinoacetic acid on growth performance,creatine metabolism and plasma amino acid profile in broilers

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) on growth performance, creatine deposition and blood amino acid (AA) profile on broiler chickens. In Exp. 1, a total of 540 one‐day‐old Arbor Acres male broilers (average initial body weight, 45.23 ± 0.35 g) were divided randomly into five treatments with six replicates of 18 chicks each. Broilers were fed corn–soybean meal‐basal diets supplemented with 0, 600, 800, 1,000 or 1,200 mg/kg GAA for 42 days respectively. Results showed that dietary GAA inclusion increased average daily gain (ADG) and improved gain‐to‐feed ratio (G:F) from 1 to 42 days (p < 0.01). However, average daily feed intake was unaffected by dietary supplementation of GAA. As GAA inclusion increased, the contents of creatine in plasma and kidney were increased (linear, p < 0.01), while the contents of GAA and creatine in liver were decreased (linear, p < 0.01). Similarly, GAA supplementation was inversely related to concentrations of most essential AA in plasma. In Exp. 2, a total of 432 one‐day‐old Arbor Acres male broilers (average initial body weight, 39.78 ± 0.58 g) were divided randomly into four treatments with six replicates of 18 chicks each. Birds were fed a corn–soybean meal‐basal diet supplemented with 0, 200, 400 or 600 mg/kg GAA for 42 days respectively. Dietary inclusion of 600 mg/kg GAA significantly increased ADG and G:F of broilers (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 600–1,200 mg/kg GAA can effectively improve the growth performance in broiler chickens by affecting creatine metabolism and utilization efficiency of essential AA, and 600 mg/kg GAA is the minimum dose for improving performance.     

丙酮酸、肌酸和丙酮酸肌酸的生物学功能及其在畜禽生产中的应用

丙酮酸肌酸（CrPyr）是丙酮酸和肌酸的复合物,既有促进机体生长发育、调节蛋白质和脂质代谢的作用,又弥补了丙酮酸易氧化、肌酸难溶于水的特性。本文介绍了丙酮酸、肌酸和CrPyr的生物学功能,以及在畜禽上的应用研究,以期为CrPyr在畜禽生产上的应用提供参考。     

负重离心收缩诱导人体肱二头肌延迟性肌肉酸痛模型的实验研究

目的 观察利用负重状态下离心收缩的方式是否诱导人体肱二头肌延迟性肌肉酸痛症（DOMS）模型。方法 实验对象从在校大学生中招募志愿者60名,随机分为造模组和对照组,两组各30例;造模组做负重状态下离心收缩运动两组,每组25个,每个动作操作时间20秒,对照组不做任何处理,通过观察志愿者的血清磷酸肌酸激酶（CK）、主观酸痛阈、主观体力等级评定量表（RPE）、DOMS临床评价（CEC）等级来评价模型是否成功。结果 造模组与对照组比较,试验后24 h和48 h主观酸痛阈低于对照组,试验后72 h CK高于对照组,试验后即刻、24 h、48 h、72 h RPE明显高于对照组,试验后即刻、24 h、48 h、72 h、120 h CEC高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。造模组试验后与试验前比较,试验后24 h、48 h和72 h主观酸痛阈明显低于试验前,试验后48 h、72 h和120 h CK高于试验前,试验后即刻、24 h、48 h、72 h RPE明显高于试验前,试验后即刻、24 h、48 h、72 h、120 h CEC高于试验前,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 负重状态下离心收缩可以诱导肱二头肌DOMS模型,各项指标变化符合文献记载。     

Growth performance,robustness against stress,serum insulin,IGF‐1 and GLUT4 gene expression of red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) fed diet containing graded levels of creatine

The experimental diets containing five levels of creatine supplementation, namely control (N = 0 g/kg creatine), B1 (1.00 g/kg glycine), B2 (0.40 g/kg creatine), B3 (0.80 g/kg creatine) and B4 (1.20 g/kg creatine) were tested to red tilapia up to apparent satiation 3 times a day for 56 days. After the feeding trial, fish were stressed by air exposure for challenge test against stress. The results described that creatine supplementation improved final body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein retention. Creatine supplementation decreased blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels (p < .05), indicating more effective usage of non‐protein energy. Furthermore, creatine supplementation also increased plasma insulin levels and upregulated IGF‐1 and GLUT4 gene expressions in the liver significantly; it also improved robustness against stress, which was shown by higher superoxide dismutase, higher postchallenge survival and plasma cortisol, malondialdehyde and lower glucose levels. In conclusion, creatine supplementation at a dose of 0.289–0.389 g/kg diet escalated fish growth and improved robustness against stress via improving the SOD activity in red tilapia.