Lipids and Tocopherols in Serum and Liver of Female Rats Fed Diets Containing Corn Oil or Cottonseed Oil

Growing female rats were fed diets containing either corn oil (CO) or cottonseed oil (CSO) to determine if the previously reported lowering effect of CSO versus CO on serum total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was sex specific and to compare the effect of these two oils on serum and tissue concentrations of RRR-alpha-tocopherol (α-T) and RRR-gamma-tocopherol (γ-T), the two major tocopherols in these oils. In a 4-week study, groups of rats (n=10 each) were fed diets containing 100 g/kg of either CO or CSO. TC was lower for group CSO than group CO. Serum concentrations of HDL-C, non-HDL-C, triglycerides (TGs), as well as the TC/ HDL-C ratio and the hepatic concentrations of cholesterol and TGs, were unaffected by diet. For serum and liver, between-group differences were noted for the concentrations of α-T (where values were higher for group CSO) and γ-T (where values were lower for group CSO). These differences reflected differences between the oils in their concentrations of these tocopherols. Thus, CSO has a lowering effect on TC for both sexes, but on HDL-C for male animals only; replacement of CO with CSO results in changes in tocopherol status.     

Protective Effects of Restricted Diet and Antioxidants on Testis Tissue in Rats Fed with High-Fat Diet

Background:

A high-fat diet (HFD) promotes the oxidative stress formation, which in turn has hazardous effects on reproductive system and fertility. The present study examines the potential positive effects of a restricted high-fat diet (RHFD) and antioxidants consumption on sperm parameters and testis tissue in rats.

Methods:

Male rats (n = 48) were divided into four groups (12 in each group): control group (Cont), HFD group, RHFD, and RHFD with astaxanthin and vitamins E and C group (RHFDA). After 12 weeks, serum analysis and sperm parameters study were performed. Sections of fixed testes were stained with Hematoxilin and Eosin to study the histological changes. A one-way ANOVA was used to compare the data.

Results:

HFD fed animals presented significant increase in weight load and serum low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels (P < 0.05). The sperm count in RHFD was lower than three other groups (P < 0.05) and sperm motility of RHFDA group was significantly higher than HFD and RHFD groups (P < 0.05). The histological study was showed a significant increase in spermatogonium number in RHFDA compared to three other groups (P < 0.05). The number of spermatocyte I and spermatid in RHFD was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than Cont and HFD groups.

Conclusion:

HFD and obesity can affect sperm parameters and spermatogenesis and antioxidants consumption may improve their quality. Although the RHFD is a benefit way in weight loss and decrease of LDL-C of serum, but it is suggested that is not effective on sperm quality improvement.Key Words: Spermatogenesis, high-fat Diet, Restricted fat diet, Antioxidants, Astaxanthin     

Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid and Eicosapentaenoic Acid Influence Liver Triacylglycerol and Insulin Resistance in Rats Fed a High-Fructose Diet

This study aimed to examine the benefits of different amounts of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish oil (FO) on lipid metabolism, insulin resistance and gene expression in rats fed a high-fructose diet. Male Wistar rats were separated into two groups: Control (C, n = 6) and Fructose (Fr, n = 32), the latter receiving a diet containing 63% by weight fructose for 60 days. After this period, 24 animals from Fr group were allocated to three groups: FrFO2 (n = 8) receiving 63% fructose and 2% FO plus 5% soybean oil; FrFO5 (n = 8) receiving 63% fructose and 5% FO plus 2% soybean oil; and FrFO7 (n = 8) receiving 63% fructose and 7% FO. Animals were fed these diets for 30 days. Fructose led to an increase in liver weight, hepatic and serum triacylglycerol, serum alanine aminotransferase and HOMA1-IR index. These alterations were reversed by 5% and 7% FO. FO had a dose-dependent effect on expression of genes related to hepatic β-oxidation (increased) and hepatic lipogenesis (decreased). The group receiving the highest FO amount had increased markers of oxidative stress. It is concluded that n-3 fatty acids may be able to reverse the adverse metabolic effects induced by a high fructose diet.     

Biochemical and Molecular Study of the Influence of Amaranthus hypochondriacus Flour on Serum and Liver Lipids in Rats Treated with Ethanol

Hyperlipidemia and hepatic steatosis are frequent alterations due to alcohol abuse. Amaranth is a pseudocereal with hypolipidemic potential among other nutraceutical actions. Here we study the effect of Amaranthus hypochondriacus (Ah) seeds on serum and liver lipids, and the expression of genes associated to lipid metabolism and liver histology in male Wistar rats intoxicated with ethanol. The animals were divided into four groups; two groups were fed the American Institute of Nutrition 1993 for maintenance diet (AIN-93M), and the other two with AIN-93M containing Ah as protein source. One of each protein group received 20 % ethanol in the drinking water, thus obtaining: CC (control casein), EC (ethanol casein), CAh (control Ah) and EAh (ethanol Ah). When comparing EAh vs. EC, we found a positive effect of Ah on lipids, preventing the increment of serum cholesterol (p?<?0.001), through the higher expression of the LDL receptor (p?<?0.001); and it also decreased free (p?<?0.05) and esterified cholesterol (p?<?0.01) in liver, probably via the reduction of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase expression (p?<?0.001). We also observed that amaranth contributed to the decrease of fat deposits in liver, probably through the decrease in acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (p?<?0.01), glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 1 (p?<?0.01) and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (p?<?0.05) expression. The histological study showed a decrease in the fat deposits in the amaranth group when compared to casein; this is consistent with the biochemical and molecular parameters studied in this work. In conclusion, amaranth could be recommended to avoid the alterations in the lipid metabolism induced by alcohol and other harmful agents.     

Effect of Diet Supplemented with Quinoa Seeds on Oxidative Status in Plasma and Selected Tissues of High Fructose-Fed Rats

Oxidative stress plays an important role as a mediator of damage produced by fructose metabolism. This work was designed to investigate the effect of diet supplemented with quinoa seeds on oxidative stress in plasma, heart, kidney, liver, spleen, lung, testis and pancreas of fructose administered rats. Fructose administration (310 g/kg fodder for 5 weeks) caused oxidative stress that was manifested by the increase in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.05), and by the non-significant changes in the enzymatic antioxidant potential in plasma and most of tissues. Co-administration of quinoa seeds (310 g/kg fodder) maintained normal activities of some enzymes. It also influenced the oxidative stress as was evidenced by decreasing MDA in plasma, and decreasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (erythrocyte superoxide dismutase - eSOD, catalase -CAT, plasma glutathione peroxidase - pGPX). These findings demonstrate that quinoa seeds can act as a moderate protective agent against potential of fructose-induced changes in rats by reducing lipid peroxidation and by enhancing the antioxidant capacity of blood (plasma) and heart, kidney, testis, lung and pancreas.     

Fatty Acid Composition of Serum,Adipose Tissue,and Liver in Rats Fed Diets Containing Corn Oil or Cottonseed Oil

There have been few studies on the effect of cottonseed oil (CSO), one of the most commonly used vegetable oils in the United States, on indices of lipid status either in the rat or in any other species. Previous studies with rats have focused on the effect of CSO, versus that of other vegetable oils, on the concentration of cholesterol in serum and liver or on a limited number of fatty acids in serum, adipose tissue, or liver. The present study was designed to compare more fully than in previous studies the effect of CSO to that of corn oil (CO) on the fatty acid composition of serum, adipose tissue, and liver. Two groups of male rats (n=10 each) were used, each fed one of two purified diets containing 100 g/kg of either CO or CSO. Between-group differences included higher values (mol% total fatty acids) in adipose tissue for palmitic acid and stearic acid, but lower values in serum, adipose tissue, and liver for cis-vaccenic acid and oleic acid (C18:1n-9) for the CSO group than the CO. In addition, values in serum, adipose tissue, and liver for -linolenic acid (C18:3n-3) and its metabolite, docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3), were lower for the CSO group than the CO. There was no effect of diet on serum or tissue levels of n-6 fatty acids (linoleic acid, dihomo--linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid). Differences in fatty acid compositions noted, e.g., those for C18:1n-9 and C22:6n-3, mainly reflected compositional differences between the two oils. Thus, use of CSO rather than CO affected serum and tissue concentrations of saturated, monounsaturated, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) but had no effect on n-6 PUFA status.     

茶叶对老龄大鼠血糖、血脂及抗氧化功能的影响

108只12月龄退役SD大鼠分成13组经二个半月的红、绿茶添加饲料和茶汤的饲喂试验,结果表明,红茶和绿茶无论是干茶添加在饲料中还是茶汤,各处理均能显著降低老龄大鼠的血糖含量（P＜0．05）、血脂含量（P＜0．01）;显著提高其SOD酶活力（P＜0．01）;显著降低其MDA含量（红茶达P＜0．01水平,绿茶达P＜0．05水平）,其中绿茶降血脂能力比红茶强,而红茶抗氧化效果比绿茶显著。后者说明,茶叶的生物抗氧化机制除茶多酚类物质起作用外,还存在着其他更为重要的机制。     

富硒富锌绿茶对大鼠硒锌营养和抗氧化功能的影响

本试验通过正常和硒锌缺乏大鼠模型,研究了富硒富锌绿茶(SZT)对机体硒锌营养和抗氧化功能的影响.结果表明,正常膳食中添加SZT,不影响硒锌的利用率,可以显著提高机体硒水平和抗氧化能力,且不会因硒锌过量而导致机体急、慢性中毒或病理变化.低硒锌膳食中补充SZT,能够显著改善大鼠硒锌缺乏症状,提高机体硒锌水平,增强抗氧化酶活力,降低丙二醛含量,缓解氧化应激,且功效显著优于无机硒锌.     

茶叶中EGCG对非酒精性脂肪肝大鼠的调脂保肝作用研究

非酒精性脂肪肝是以肝实质细胞发生脂肪堆积和脂肪变性为主要特征,并伴随机体脂质代谢紊乱的一种获得性代谢疾病。以高脂饲料喂养大鼠,建立非酒精性脂肪肝大鼠模型;以低、中、高剂量（10、50、100 mg·kg^-1）表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（EGCG）分别灌胃模型大鼠,探讨茶叶中EGCG对非酒精性脂肪肝大鼠的调脂保肝作用。结果表明,与模型组相比,EGCG能显著降低血清中甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）和低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（LDL-C）含量,降低丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）和天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）活性水平,提高高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（HDL-C）的含量,改善大鼠肝脏氧化应激状态。此外,肝脏病理切片显示,EGCG能减少肝细胞中脂滴的形成,同时脂质代谢相关基因表达量分析显示,EGCG能调理肝脏的脂质代谢。综合以上实验结果表明,EGCG能显著改善非酒精性脂肪肝大鼠的脂质代谢紊乱和脂肪性肝损伤。     

Healing and Preventive Effects of Calcium Alginate on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Injury in Rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the pharmacological effects of calcium alginate on carbon tetrachloride (CCL₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The study included two experiments. In the first experiment the animals were given daily CCL₄ through gavage for 7 days and then 10, 50, or 250 mg/kg b.w. of calcium alginate for 21 days. The increased bilirubin level, enhanced alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activity in plasma and reduced liver glycogen content induced by CCL₄ were partly normalized by alginate administration in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, alginate significantly improved CCL₄-induced alterations of pro-oxidant and antioxidant biochemical parameters in liver and plasma compared to those of rats administered CCL₄. In the second experiment the animals were given daily 10, 50 or 250 mg/kg b.w. of calcium alginate for 21 days before 7-day administration of CCL₄. Pretreatment with alginate before CCL₄ administration resulted in significantly inhibited increase of the blood enzymatic activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and bilirubin level in a dose-dependent manner. Also, preliminary administration of alginate prevented elevation of lipid peroxidation products and reduction of liver glutathione content in rats given CCL_4. These results suggest that calcium alginate exerts healing and preventive effects on CCL₄-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.     

播期对高蛋白大豆产量及品质的影响

为了提高栽培大豆的蛋白质含量,寻找最佳的播种时期,满足黑龙江垦区生产高蛋白大豆的需要,利用3个黑龙江省东部主栽的高蛋白大豆品种黑农48、黑农43和东农42,进行8个播期栽培试验,探讨播期对高蛋白大豆农艺性状、产量及蛋白质含量的影响。结果表明：播期对高蛋白大豆的成熟期无影响,而对生育期有影响,大豆生育期因播期推迟而缩短;播期对高蛋白大豆的农艺性状有影响但差异不显著,提早或延迟播期使单株有效荚数、单株粒数减少,百粒重减小;播期对高蛋白大豆的产量有影响且差异显著;播期对高蛋白大豆的蛋白质含量有影响,播期越晚蛋白质含量越低,但各播期间差异不明显。在黑龙江东部地区高蛋白大豆的适宜播期是5月8日至5月14日。     

密度和肥料水平对高蛋白大豆德豆17号产量的影响

试验采用二次通用旋转组合设计,研究了不同肥料及密度条件对大豆德豆17产量的影响,建立了以德豆17产量为目标函数的数学模型。结果表明:各栽培因子对德豆17产量的影响为:钾肥>密度>磷肥>氮肥>微肥。经计算,初步确定了德豆17号在当地产量大于175.00kg/667m2的栽培方式为:密度0.81～0.83万株/667m2,氮肥施用量19.46～20.29kg/667m2,磷肥施用量39.09～40.91kg/667m2,钾肥施用量21.97～23.04kg/667m2,微肥施用量0.92～1.08kg/667m2。     

β-Carotene from the Alga Dunaliella bardawil Decreases Gene Expression of Adipose Tissue Macrophage Recruitment Markers and Plasma Lipid Concentrations in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids are involved in the regulation of adipose tissue metabolism and inflammation. We examined the effect of dietary supplementation using all-trans and 9-cis β-carotene-rich Dunaliella bardawil alga as the sole source of vitamin A on obesity-associated comorbidities and adipose tissue dysfunction in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. Three-week-old male mice (C57BL/6) were randomly allocated into two groups and fed a high-fat, vitamin A-deficient diet supplemented with either vitamin A (HFD) or β-carotene (BC) (HFD-BC). Vitamin A levels in the liver, WATs, and BAT of the HFD-BC group were 1.5–2.4-fold higher than of the HFD group. BC concentrations were 5–6-fold greater in BAT compared to WAT in the HFD-BC group. The eWAT mRNA levels of the Mcp-1 and Cd68 were 1.6- and 2.1-fold lower, respectively, and the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were 30% and 28% lower in the HFD-BC group compared with the HFD group. Dietary BC can be the exclusive vitamin A source in mice fed a high-fat diet, as shown by the vitamin A concentration in the plasma and tissues. Feeding BC rather than vitamin A reduces adipose tissue macrophage recruitment markers and plasma lipid concentrations.     

高温对水稻灌浆期籽粒氮代谢关键酶活性及蛋白质含量的影响

 选用粳稻品种越光与籼稻品种IR72为材料,研究了高温对水稻灌浆期籽粒谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）、谷氨酸合酶（GOGAT）、谷氨酸 草酰乙酸转氨酶（GOT）、谷氨酸 丙酮酸转氨酶（GPT）的活性及蛋白质与氨基酸含量的影响。结果表明,灌浆期高温下水稻籽粒GOGAT、GOT与GPT活性显著或极显著升高,但籽粒GS活性显著或极显著降低;籽粒蛋白质及氨基酸各组分含量极显著增加。高温下籽粒GS活性显著降低并未影响籽粒蛋白质的合成,认为籽粒GS不是限制水稻蛋白质合成的关键酶。     

Effect of Quinoa Seeds (Chenopodium quinoa) in Diet on some Biochemical Parameters and Essential Elements in Blood of High Fructose-Fed Rats

The effect of Chenopodium quinoa seeds on lipid profile, glucose level, protein metabolism and selected essential elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) level was determined in high—fructose fed male Wistar rats. Fructose decreased significantly LDL [42%, p < 0.01] and activity of alkaline phosphatase [20%, p < 0.05], and increased triglycerides level [86%, p < 0.01]. The analysis of blood of rats fed quinoa indicated, that these seeds effectively reduced serum total cholesterol [26%, p < 0.05], LDL [57%, p < 0.008] and triglycerides [11%, p < 0.05] when compared to the control group. Quinoa seeds also significantly reduced the level of glucose [10%, p < 0.01] and plasma total protein level [16%, p < 0.001]. Fructose significantly decreased HDL [15%, p < 0.05] level in control group but when the quinoa seeds were added into the diet the decrease of HDL level was inhibited. Quinoa seeds did not prevent any adverse effect of increasing triglyceride level caused by fructose. It was shown in this study that quinoa seeds can reduce most of the adverse effects exerted by fructose on lipid profile and glucose level.     

Effects of Agave fructans (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agave tequilana</Emphasis> Weber var. azul) on Body Fat and Serum Lipids in Obesity

Obesity affects millions of people worldwide, constituting a public health problem associated with premature mortality. Agave fructans decrease fat mass, body and liver weight, and generate satiety in rodents. In the present study the effects of agave fructans on weight control, lipid profile, and physical tolerability were evaluated in obese people. Twenty-eight obese volunteers were randomly divided into two groups. In the first group, 96 mg/bw of agave fructans was administered for 12 weeks; in the second group, maltodextrin as a placebo was administered for 12 weeks. All participants consumed a low-calorie diet of 1500 kcal/day. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were taken at baseline and at the end of the study. The body mass index (BMI) of the agave fructans treated group was reduced significantly from the baseline to the final measurements. Hip and waist circumferences decreased statistically in both groups. A decrease of 10% in total body fat was observed in the agave fructans treated group, resulting in a statistically significant difference in the final versus baseline measurements between the Agave fructans treated group and the placebo treated group. Triglycerides were reduced significantly in the agave fructans treated group. Glucose values did not change in either group. Agave fructans intake was safe and well tolerated throughout the study. The results showed that the ingestion of agave fructans enhanced the decrease in BMI, the decrease in total body fat, and the decrease in triglycerides in obese individuals who consume a low-calorie diet.     

行距配置对高产冬小麦籽粒灌浆特性及淀粉和蛋白质积累的影响

为研究不同行距配置对小麦籽粒发育及淀粉和蛋白质积累的影响,以4个高产冬小麦品种为材料,在河南浚县农业科学研究所超高产攻关田研究了不同行距配置下小麦籽粒灌浆特性及淀粉、蛋白质的积累动态.结果表明,高产小麦籽粒中可溶性糖含量下降与淀粉含量的增加趋势基本吻合,宽窄行种植模式(S1)籽粒中可溶性糖含量较高,且转化利用较快,促进了籽粒淀粉积累.从行距配置看.周麦22籽粒蛋白质含量以等行距种植模式(S2)较高,偃展4110和矮抗58均以S1较高,而豫麦49-198在两种种植模式下无明显差异.籽粒灌浆速率、千粒重和产量则表现为豫麦49-198、周麦22和矮抗58均以S较高,而偃展4110以S2较高.灌浆模型分析表明,灌浆持续天数和最大灌浆速率出现时间是行距配置影响粒重的主要因素.     

花后短暂高低温胁迫对小麦产量形成的影响及减灾调控

为明确花后阶段高、低温胁迫对冬小麦光合特性、籽粒发育及产量形成的影响,利用人工智能控温室开展盆栽小麦高、低温度胁迫试验,以宁麦13和镇麦12为试验材料,在花后7～9、15～17、23～25和31～33 d分别进行低温和高温胁迫处理,并在温度胁迫后喷施1μmol·L^-1 2,4-表油菜素内酯(BR)、0.5mol·L^-1亚精胺+腐胺(Spd+Put)进行减灾调控,分析小麦旗叶净光合速率、SPAD值、籽粒形态、产量变化及减灾调控效果。结果表明,与自然温度处理相比,花后不同阶段低温胁迫结束当天小麦旗叶SPAD值先升高,3 d后显著下降;高温胁迫后SPAD值降低4.67%～29.00%。两品种旗叶净光合速率在高、低温胁迫处理下均降低。高、低温胁迫显著降低粒宽,增加籽粒长宽比,导致籽粒表面皱缩。籽粒灌浆时间在花后低温胁迫下延长1～3 d,在高温胁迫下缩短1～5 d。温度胁迫后优势和弱势小穗籽粒灌浆速率分别下降2.75%～37.64%和3.31%～40.34%,产量降低5.46%～35.24%。温度胁迫后喷施BR与Spd+Put均能缓解温度胁迫的伤害,使...