下丘脑对脂类的营养感应及其参与食欲调控的机制

食欲的形成与机体健康密切相关,并受控于营养信号、活性氧以及一系列激素信号的调节,下丘脑是各种食欲信号整合的主要中枢。最新研究表明,脂类营养物质可以被下丘脑特化的能量敏感神经元所感应,脂肪酸及其在细胞内的代谢产物分别以非代谢依赖性和代谢依赖性的方式参与机体能量稳态的调节,对于食欲调节以及能量平衡具有重要影响。本文综述了下丘脑对脂类的营养感应及其参与食欲调控的机制。     

能量代谢调节中AMPK作用的研究进展

AMPK是一种细胞能量传感器,能准确应对代谢的动态变化和营养的过度消耗或不足。下丘脑AMPK通过作用于刺鼠相关蛋白(AgRP)和前阿片黑素细胞皮质激素(POMC)神经元来调节能量平衡和食欲。下丘脑在不同代谢状态下突触可塑性调节食欲和体重。激素的反馈机制影响AgRP和POMC神经元的突触可塑性。AMPK活性受损制约POMC神经元的主要功能是可预防肥胖。当前的研究表明,内分泌通过许多不同的代谢机制确保下丘脑AMPK从负能量平衡到能量平衡,表明了下丘脑AMPK维持基本能量平衡的重要性。文章就生长素、瘦素、胰岛素等激素对下丘脑AMPK活性的控制及对食欲和能量代谢影响的最新研究情况进行了综述。     

能量感应网络AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-lα对骨骼肌纤维类型转化调节

腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(AMPK)、沉默信息调节因子1(SIRT1)和过氧化物酶体增殖激活受体γ辅助激活因子α(PGC-1α)构成一个调节细胞能量输出的信号网络,即能量感应网络,共同调节机体能量代谢、线粒体功能以及肌纤维类型的转化。本文拟综合国内外最新研究报道,总结AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-lα能量感应网络在肌纤维类型转化过程中所发挥的重要作用,为畜牧生产以及人的营养研究提供参考。     

增食欲素A在动物糖脂代谢平衡中的作用和机制

糖脂代谢平衡是机体生命活动的基础,对机体生理功能的正常发挥有重要作用.下丘脑是糖脂代谢的中枢调节部位,其分泌的增食欲素A在糖脂代谢调控中的作用正逐渐受到人们的关注.增食欲素A经过自主神经的传递作用调节葡萄糖和脂肪的产生和利用,外周组织中产生的增食欲素A可以通过调节相关酶的活性和数量来实现糖脂代谢的平衡.本文综述了增食欲素A及其受体的结构和特征,其在机体糖脂代谢中的调控作用和信号转导途径,以及其对糖脂代谢的调节与动物生产的关系.     

酮病奶牛肝脏脂肪酸代谢研究进展

酮病奶牛机体处于能量负平衡状态,脂肪组织大量动员,产生大量的非酯化脂肪酸(NE-FA)进入血液。而肝脏作为机体脂类代谢的主要器官,脂肪酸氧化代谢状态直接影响酮体和甘油三酯的生成,是控制酮病和脂肪肝等营养代谢性疾病发生的关键代谢途径。文中综述了酮病奶牛肝脏脂肪酸的摄入、代谢及其与酮病发生发展之间的关系。     

脂肪酸代谢与肠道微生物定植的相互作用

油脂作为机体三大主要营养素之一,除了为机体供给和储存能量外,也参与机体代谢调节。饮食油脂及其代谢物与肠道微生物群的关系对宿主的生理和代谢具有重要意义。脂肪酸的组成和含量会影响肠道内微生物的平衡,肠道微生物也会影响后肠短链脂肪酸的含量,从而影响机体能量供应和健康状态。本文综述了机体中肠道微生物与脂肪酸的相互作用及其机制,以期为饮食中脂肪酸种类的选择以及配比提供理论依据。     

AMPK信号通路在应激影响家禽食欲和能量代谢中的作用

腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(AMPK)在维持体内能量平衡中起重要作用,调控一系列代谢通路,包括脂肪酸氧化分解、脂肪酸合成、糖酵解和糖异生。当机体受到外源性应激引起能量失衡或能量供应不足时,AMPK被激活。AMPK的活性变化在调节下丘脑摄食过程中起重要作用。AMPK活性降低会引起采食行为降低,反之,采食行为增加。应激反应的激发主要依赖于交感神经系统和下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺(HPA)轴的激活。糖皮质激素作为HPA轴中重要的末端调节因子,控制机体的动态平衡,引起机体对应激的应答反应。文章阐述了在应激影响家禽食欲和能量代谢过程中AMPK及其信号通路的重要作用。     

氨基酸感知与代谢调控的研究进展

氨基酸不仅是蛋白质和其他含氮化合物合成的重要前体,还参与体内主要代谢途径的调控。当氨基酸不足时,机体内多种机制参与调节体内平衡,包括快速停止蛋白质合成、增加氨基酸合成和转运,以及加强自噬作用。越来越多的学者证明氨基酸可作为信号分子参与细胞内信号传导过程,可以调节其他营养素如脂肪和能量的代谢,最终导致机体整体代谢的改变。本文主要综述细胞内氨基酸的营养感知与应答机制,涉及氨基酸应答(AAR)和雷帕霉素靶蛋白(TOR)2条信号转导通路,并探讨这2条信号通路对下游营养素代谢途径的调节。     

动物消化道脂类物质感应机制及其EECs调控

肠道具有感应功能,能够感应肠腔内的营养物质,通过影响肠道内分泌细胞(EECs)的分泌功能调节营养代谢等生理活动。机体对脂类物质的感应主要通过与游离脂肪酸受体、G-蛋白偶联受体、胆固醇感应蛋白相互作用,影响EECs分泌功能,从而发挥调节作用。     

食欲肽及其受体

下丘脑在动物摄食及机体能量平衡中起重要作用。已经发现由下丘脑分泌的多种激素、神经肽等在调节机体摄食中具有重要作用。最近从下丘脑外侧区分离出 2种新的神经肽—食欲肽A和食欲肽B ,它们经蛋白水解作用来自于同一前体—前食欲肽原 ,具有促进动物摄食的作用。这为下丘脑外侧区在调节摄食提供了新的分子基础     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein