Nutrient Based Estimation of Acid-Base Balance in Vegetarians and Non-vegetarians

A first objective of the present study was to estimate the acid-base balance of the food intake in vegetarians and non-vegetarians. A second objective was to evaluate if additional input of specific food items on the existing potential renal acid load (PRAL) list was necessary for the comparison of the two dietary patterns. Thirty vegetarians between the age of 18 and 30 years were matched for sex, age and BMI with 30 non-vegetarians. Based on the 3-days food diaries the acid-base status of the food intake was estimated using the PRAL method. Mean PRAL values as estimated with the standard table yielded an alkaline load of -5,4 ± 14,4 mEq/d in the vegetarians compared to an acid load of 10,3 ± 14,4 mEq/d in the non-vegetarians (p < 0,001). Mean PRAL values as estimated with the extended table yielded an alkaline load of -10,9 ± 19,7 mEq/d in the vegetarians compared to an acid load of 13,8 ± 17,1 mEq/d for the non-vegetarians (p < 0,001). The findings of this study indicate that vegetarian food intake produces more alkaline outcomes compared to non-vegetarian diets. The use of the standard PRAL table was sufficient for discrimination between the two diets.     

Effects of Whole Grain Wheat Bread on Visceral Fat Obesity in Japanese Subjects: A Randomized Double-Blind Study

Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and has become increasingly common in Japan. Epidemiological studies show inverse associations between intake of whole wheat grains and metabolic syndrome, but few dietary intervention trials have investigated the effect of whole wheat grain consumption. It was investigated whether a diet in which refined wheat bread (RW diet) was substituted by whole grain wheat bread (WW diet) would reduce visceral fat obesity in Japanese subjects. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled intervention study was conducted in 50 Japanese subjects with body mass index (BMI)?≥?23 kg/m². Subjects were randomly assigned WW (WW group) or RW diets (RW group) for 12 weeks. Blood samples and computed tomography scans were obtained every 6th week. The WW group showed decrease (?4 cm²) in visceral fat area (VFA) (p <?0.05), whereas the RW group showed no significant changes. These time-dependent changes were significantly different between the groups. WW diet led to significant and safe reductions in VFA in subjects with BMI?≥?23 kg/m². WW diet may contribute to preventing visceral fat obesity.     

Dietary Broccoli Sprouts Protect Against Myocardial Oxidative Damage and Cell Death During Ischemia-Reperfusion

Cruciferous vegetables are known for antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic effects. In the current study we asked whether dietary broccoli sprouts can protect the heart from ischemia-reperfusion. Rats were fed either control diet (sham and control groups) or a diet mixed with 2% dried broccoli sprouts for 10 days. After 10 days the isolated hearts were subjected to ischemia for 20 min and reperfusion for 2 h, and evaluated for cell death, oxidative damage, and Nrf2-regulated phase 2 enzyme activities. Broccoli sprouts feeding inhibited markers of necrosis (lactate dehydrogenase release) and apoptosis (caspase-3 activity) by 78–86%, and decreased indices of oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and aconitase inactivation) by 82–116%. While broccoli sprouts increased total glutathione and activities of the phase 2 enzymes glutamate cysteine ligase and quinone reductase in liver, they did not affect these in ischemic-reperfused heart. While the mechanism is not clear, the results show that a relatively short dietary treatment with broccoli sprouts can strongly protect the heart against oxidative stress and cell death caused by ischemia-reperfusion.     

Tempe Consumption Modulates Fecal Secondary Bile Acids, Mucins, Immunoglobulin A, Enzyme Activities, and Cecal Microflora and Organic Acids in Rats

The present study investigated the effect of dietary tempe, a fermented soy product, on the colonic environment of rats fed high-fat (HF, 30 % fat; experiment 1) or low-fat (LF, 6 % fat; experiment 2) diets. Growing male rats were fed the experimental diets with or without 25 % tempe for 21 days. Tempe consumption slightly but significantly increased the growth of rats fed both the HF and LF diets (P?<?0.05). With both the HF and LF diets, dietary tempe markedly reduced a harmful fecal secondary bile acid, lithocholic acid (a risk factor of colon cancer) (P?<?0.05), and markedly elevated fecal mucins (indices of intestinal barrier function) and immunoglobulin A (IgA, an index of intestinal immune function) (P?<?0.05). With the HF diet, dietary tempe increased cecal acetate, butyrate, propionate, and succinate concentrations (P?<?0.05). Analysis of the profile of cecal microflora revealed lower Bacteroides and higher Clostridium cluster XIVa levels in the tempe group of rats fed the HF diet (P?<?0.05). Compared with the control group, the fecal activity of β-glucosidase was markedly higher in the tempe group (P?<?0.05), while that of urease was lower (P?<?0.05) with both the HF and LF diets. The present results suggest that tempe consumption modulates the colonic environment in rats.     

Hypocholesterolemic effects of dietary soybean vs. casein proteins in a crossed over diets in rat

To investigate the effects of dietary proteins on the level of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL), 32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided in control and 3 experimental groups (El, E2 and E3). The feeding regimes of rats were as follow: control, standard diet; E1, a cholesterol free diet containing 20% soybean protein; E2, a cholesterol free diet containing 20% casein and E3, a cholesterol free diet containing 10% soybean protein and 10% casein. The experimental period was 11 weeks but at the end of 7th week the diets of E1 and E2 groups were crossed over for the next 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected weekly, via the ophthalmic sinus and the serum levels TC, TG and HDL were measured. In comparison with control group, the results show that at the end of 7th week TC levels in E1 and E2 groups were significantly (p<0.05) increased while HDL level unchanged and the TC value of E2 was bigger (not significant) than E1. However by crossing over the diets, the TC level was significantly (p<0.05) diminished in E2 while TG value remarkably (p<0.05) increased. These results indicate that soybean protein may insert its hypocholesterolemic effect in hypercholestrolemic condition than in normolipidemic condition.     

The favorite dosage of garlic meal as a feed additive in broiler chickens ratios

This experiment carried out as a completely randomized design with six treatments and 3 replicates pens of 100 birds each (total of 1800 birds). Treatments were consisted of a common corn-soybean meal based starter and grower diets supplemented by 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2% garlic meal. At 1-21 days of age, daily feed intake per chicks influences by dietary garlic meal level so that the birds fed diets with 0.125 and 0.25% garlic meal had a significantly higher daily feed intake (p < 0.05) than birds fed 0.5% dietary garlic meal. At 22-42 days of age and the whole experimental period (1-42 days of age), garlic meal level didn't affect daily feed intake. No significant difference recorded for daily weight gain of experimentally birds at 1-21 days of age, But at 22-42 days of age and the whole experimentally period (1-42 days of age) the birds fed the control diet (free of garlic meal) and the diet containing the highest garlic meal dosage (2%) had a significantly lower daily weight gain in compare to other birds (p < 0.05). At 1-21 days of age the birds fed diet supplemented with 0.5% garlic meal had a lower feed conversion ratio than the control birds (p < 0.05) but at 22-42 days of age and the whole experimentally period (1-42 days of age) birds fed the control diet and the diet whit 2% garlic meal supplement showed a higher feed conversion ratios in compare with birds fed diets containing 0.125, 0.5 or 1% garlic meal. No significant differences were detected in carcass percentage and interior organs between birds fed experimental diets. The weight gain reduction in birds fed 2% dietary garlic meal means that herbal additives have their limitations too and needs more investigation.     

Coconut Products Improve Signs of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

Increasing prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome warrants identification of potential therapeutic options for intervention. This study tested commercially available Virgin Coconut Oil and Coconut Nourish, as coconuts are rich sources of lauric and myristic acids. Male Wistar rats were fed either corn starch diet (C); high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (H); high-carbohydrate, high-virgin coconut oil diet (HV); or high-carbohydrate, high-coconut Nourish diet (HN) for 16 weeks. Metabolic, liver, and cardiovascular health parameters were measured during and at the end of the study. Virgin coconut oil lowered body weight (C 386±8g, H 516±13g, HV 459±10g), blood glucose concentrations (C 4.2±0.1 mmol/L, H 5.4±0.2 mmol/L, HV 4.6±0.2 mmol/L), systolic blood pressure (C 127±5mmHg, H 149±4mmHg, HV 133±3mmHg,) and diastolic stiffness (C 25.0±1.7, H 31.4±1.2, HV 25.2±2.3,) with improved structure and function of the heart and liver. Coconut Nourish increased total body lean mass (C 255±10g, H 270±16g, HN 303±15g) and lowered plasma total cholesterol concentrations (C 1.6±0.2 mmol/L, H 1.7±0.1 mmol/L, HN 1.0±0.0 mmol/L), systolic blood pressure (C 127±5mmHg, H 149±4mmHg, HN 130±3mmHg) and diastolic stiffness (C 25.0±1.7, H 31.4±1.2, HN 26.5±1.0), improved structure and function of the heart and liver but increased plasma concentrations of triglycerides (C 0.3±0.1 mmol/L, H 1.1±0.4 mmol/L, HN 1.8±0.2 mmol/L) and non-esterified fatty acids (C 1.2±0.3 mmol/L, H 3.3±0.8 mmol/L, HN 5.6±0.4 mmol/L). Thus, the fiber and protein in coconut Nourish and the medium-chain saturated fatty acids in virgin coconut oil may improve cardiovascular and liver complications in obesity.     

营养补充对阿里山潜蝇茧蜂寿命和繁殖力的影响

研究营养补充对阿里山潜蝇茧蜂（Fopius arisanus Sonan）寿命和繁殖力的影响。结果表明,食物和寄主对阿里山潜蝇茧蜂的寿命均有显著影响。在无寄主存在的情况下,以蜂蜜＋水饲喂阿里山潜蝇茧蜂,其雌蜂平均寿命为（37.8±1.1）d,而提供橘小实蝇卵时雌蜂平均寿命为（19.2±3.8）d。寄主存在与否,不予饲喂的阿里山潜蝇茧蜂,其雌蜂最长寿命均不超过1周。饲喂蜂蜜+水能够显著提高阿里山潜蝇茧蜂的产卵能力,使子代雌蜂比例增高。     

Antihyperlipidemic Effect of Methanolic Extract from Opuntia joconostle Seeds in Mice Fed a Hypercholesterolemic Diet

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypolipidemic effect of a methanolic extract from Opuntia joconostle seeds fed to mice in a hypercholesterolemic diet. Acute toxicity of the methanolic extract was investigated by an established method. Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and DPPH, respectively. The total phenolic content of Opuntia joconostle seeds was 47.85?±?1.29 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight. The main phenolic compounds were identified as quercetin, rutin, and cafeic acid. Percent inhibition of DPPH⁺ was 49.76?±?0.49 %. The oral LD₅₀ for the methanolic extract from the Opuntia joconostle seeds was >5,000 mg/kg BW. Mice fed a hypercholesterolemic diet for six days exhibited significantly (P?≤?0.001) higher plasma lipid levels than mice fed a normal diet. Remarkably, supplementation with methanolic extract from Opuntia joconostle at doses of 1, 2, and 5 g/kg body weight significantly (P?≤?0.001) prevented the increase in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides level, and atherogenic index. Similar concentrations of the HDL cholesterol were observed in both treated and control groups. A significant dose-dependent reduction in lipid levels was noted for treated groups compared to the hypercholesterolemic group. We attribute this result to the seeds’ phenolic composition. This methanolic extract has potential to be included in short-term hypercholesterolemia treatment regimens as it exhibits hypolipidemic activity with no apparent toxic manifestations.     

Reduced-calorie Avocado Paste Attenuates Metabolic Factors Associated with a Hypercholesterolemic-high Fructose Diet in Rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of reduced-calorie avocado paste on lipid serum profile, insulin sensitivity, and hepatic steatosis in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic-high fructose diet. Thirty five male Wistar rats were randomly separated in five groups: Control group (ground commercial diet); hypercholesterolemic diet plus 60 % fructose solution (HHF group); hypercholesterolemic diet plus 60 % fructose solution supplemented with avocado pulp (HHF+A group); hypercholesterolemic diet plus 60 % fructose solution supplemented with reduced-calorie avocado paste (HHF+P group); and hypercholesterolemic diet plus 60 % fructose solution supplemented with a reduced-calorie avocado paste plus fiber (HHF+FP group). The A, P, and FP were supplemented at 2 g/kg/d. The study was carried out for seven weeks. Rats belonging to the HHF group exhibited significantly (P?≤?0.05) higher total cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin levels in serum as well as lower insulin sensitivity than the control group. Supplementation with reduced-calorie avocado paste showed a significant (P?≤?0.05) decrease in total cholesterol (43.1 %), low-density lipoprotein (45.4 %), and triglycerides (32.8 %) in plasma as well as elevated insulin sensitivity compared to the HHF group. Additionally, the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase decreased significantly in the HHF-P group (39.8 and 35.1 %, respectively). These results are likely due to biocompounds present in the reduced-calorie avocado paste, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and dietary fibre, which are capable of reducing oxidative stress. Therefore, reduced-calorie avocado paste attenuates the effects of a hypercholesterolemic-high fructose diet in rats.     

Effects of Two Energy-Restricted Diets Containing Different Fruit Amounts on Body Weight Loss and Macronutrient Oxidation

The consumption of specific foods in energy-restricted diets may affect the weight loss process. The purpose of this research was to evaluate whether obese women following two hypocaloric diets with distinct fruit content differ in weight loss and metabolic responses. Fifteen obese women were included, who were randomly assigned to follow a low or a high-fruit energy-restricted diet for 8 weeks. The main outcome variables were weight and fat losses. Metabolic measurements concerning macronutrient oxidation were also assessed by using ¹³C labelled fructose and indirect calorimetry. The induced weight loss was similar for both diets (6.9 ± 2% vs. 6.6 ± 2%, p = 0.785). Both experimental diets similarly improved the lipid plasma profile in the participants, but the cholesterol fall was higher in obese subjects receiving the diet containing more fruit. No statistical differences in lipids carbohydrates and ¹³C labelled fructose utilisation were observed, but protein oxidation was differently affected by the experimental diets. The compensatory effects of the associated fibre/fructose intake may explain the lack of a specific effect of the fruit amount on hypocaloric diets designed to weight loss, although the increased fibre content from enriched fruit diets may be involved in the favourable effects on cholesterol plasma levels.     

Radiation utilization efficiency,latent heat flux,and crop growth simulation in irrigated rice during post-flood period in east coast of India

To study the radiation utilization efficiency, latent heat flux, and simulate growth of rice during post-flood period in eastern coast of India, on-farm trial was conducted with three water regimes in main plots (W ₁ = continuous flooding of 5 cm, W ₂ = irrigation after 2 days of water disappearance, and W ₃ = irrigation after 5 days of water disappearance) and five nitrogen levels in subplots (N ₁ = 0 kg N ha^?1, N ₂ = 60 kg N ha^?1, N ₃ = 90 kg N ha^?1, N ₄ = 120 kg N ha^?1, and N ₅ = 150 kg N ha^?1) on a rice cultivar, ‘Lalat’. Average maximum radiation utilization efficiency (RUE) in terms of above ground dry biomass of 2.09 (±0.05), 2.10 (±0.02), and 1.9 (±0.08) g MJ^?1 were computed under W ₁, W ₂, and W ₃, respectively. Nitrogen increased the RUE significantly, mean RUE values were computed as 1.60 (±0.07), 1.78 (±0.02), 2.060 (±0.08), 2.30 (±0.07), and 2.34 (±0.08) g MJ^?1 when the crop was grown with 0, 60, 90, 120, and 150 kg ha^?1 nitrogen, respectively. Midday average latent heat flux (on clear days) varied from 7.4 to 14.9 and 8 to 13.6 MJ m^?2 day^?1 under W ₂ and W ₃ treatments, respectively, at different growth stages of the crop in different seasons. The DSSAT 4.5 model was used to simulate phenology, growth, and yield which predicted fairly well under higher dose of nitrogen (90 kg and above), but the model performance was found to be poor under low-nitrogen dose.     

Diet segregation in American bison (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bison bison</Emphasis>) of Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming,USA)

Background

Body size is a major factor in the nutritional ecology of ruminant mammals. Females, due to their smaller size and smaller rumen, have more rapid food-passage times than males and thereby require higher quality forage. Males are more efficient at converting high-fiber forage into usable energy and thus, are more concerned with quantity. American bison are sexually dimorphic and sexually segregate for the majority of their adult lives, and in Yellowstone National Park, they occur in two distinct subpopulations within the Northern and Central ranges. We used fecal nitrogen and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen from American bison to investigate sex-specific differences in diet composition, diet quality, and dietary breadth between the mating season and a time period spanning multiple years, and compared diet indicators for these different time periods between the Northern and Central ranges.

Results

During mating season, diet composition of male and female American bison differed significantly; females had higher quality diets, and males had greater dietary breadth. Over the multi-year period, females had higher quality diets and males, greater dietary breadth. Diet segregation for bison in the Central Range was more pronounced during the mating season than for the multi-year period and females had higher quality diets than males. Finally, diet segregation in the Northern Range was more pronounced during the multi-year period than during the mating season, and males had greater dietary breadth.

Conclusions

Female bison in Yellowstone National Park have higher quality diets than males, whereas males ingest a greater diversity of plants or plants parts, and bison from different ranges exhibited more pronounced diet segregation during different times. Collectively, our results suggest that diet segregation in bison of Yellowstone National Park is associated with sex-specific differences in nutritional demands. Altogether, our results highlight the importance of accounting for spatial and temporal heterogeneity when conducting dietary studies on wild ungulates.

     

Effects of feeding clover silages on feed intake, milk production and digestion in dairy cows

Silages were made from pure crops of perennial ryegrass, red clover and white clover over 2 years. In all but one case the silage was stored as bales. A silage additive specially adapted for bales (Kofasil Ultra^TM) was used for all silages and they were all of good hygienic quality. The additive contained sodium nitrite, hexamethylene, tetraamine sodium bensoate and sodium propionate. The silages were offered ad libitum, either pure or mixed [grass/clover 0·50/0·50 on a dry‐matter (DM) basis] with a fixed amount (8 kg) of concentrate. Two experiments, one in each year, were performed with high‐yielding multiparous dairy cows in mid‐lactation, and both rumen‐cannulated and intact cows were used. The experiments were carried out using an incomplete changeover design with fifteen cows and five treatments each year. The cows consumed large quantities of these silages (12·7–16·3 kg DM per cow per day). The highest intakes were obtained when the red clover and the 0·50 red clover:0·50 perennial ryegrass silage diets were offered. However, there was a difference between years. In year 1, 0·50 red clover:0·50 perennial ryegrass and 0·50 white clover:0·50 perennial ryegrass silage diets showed the highest intakes while pure perennial ryegrass and white clover silage diets gave lower intakes. In year 2 the highest intake of silage was obtained when the diet containing silage from red clover from a second cut was offered, while the silage from red clover from a first cut gave the lowest intake. The voluntary intakes of silages from white clover and perennial ryegrass were intermediate. No cases of bloat or other digestive disturbances were observed. Milk yield was significantly lower for the perennial ryegrass silage diet compared with all other diets in year 1. In year 2 milk yield was highest for the white clover silage diets and lowest for the red clover silage diets from both cuts. In year 1 there were relatively small differences in milk composition while in year 2 milk fat content was significantly lower with white clover silage diet and milk protein content was significantly higher with the perennial ryegrass diet. The overall conclusion from these experiments was that cows were able to consume large quantities of pure legume silage without serious disturbance to their metabolism. Differences in measurements of rumen metabolism were found between diets and especially between years. Milk production differences appears to be coupled to both differences in rumen physical characteristics, such as passage rate and particle size as well as differences in volatile fatty acid production in the rumen.     

Effects of variation in herbage sodium levels and salt supplementation on the nutritive value of perennial ryegrass for sheep

Six groups of five 18-month-old wether sheep received a diet of dried grass ad libitum with a pelleted ground barley/oat supplement containing various levels of salt for 30 d. The first group received grass of high Na concentration (7·3 g per kg DM) with no added salt in the supplement, a second group received low sodium grass (4·2 g per kg DM) with no salt additions, and the other four groups received the low sodium grass with varying levels of salt added to the supplement to provide a final dietary Na concentration ranging from 7·0 to 18·0 g per kg DM.
Dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intakes were significantly reduced for groups receiving salt supplementation. The digestibilities of DM and OM were reduced for all groups on the low sodium grass diets compared with the high sodium grass diet, but were not affected by salt supplementation.
No consistent changes were observed in the molar proportions of volatile fatty acids in rumen fluid, but N availability and retention were higher for the animals on the high sodium grass diet.
The high sodium grass diet gave a better apparent availability and retention of minerals than the low sodium grass diets and, while addition of salt tended to improve the availability of minerals, the urinary loss of minerals increased with salt addition to the diet.
There were no changes in plasma Na levels, and plasma K changes were inconsistent. However, plasma Ca concentration was reduced significantly for salt-supplemented diets with a Na concentration above 7·0 g per kg DM, and plasma Mg was significantly depressed at dietary Na concentrations above 15·0 g per kg DM.     

The effects of feeding selectivity on the estimation of diet composition using the n-alkane technique

Abstract A limitation to using n‐alkanes in plants as faecal markers for estimating diet composition in herbivores is the small number of dietary components that it is possible to determine. One approach to overcoming this is to group species on the basis of their n‐alkane concentrations and to consider these groups as dietary components. Feeding selectivity within a group, however, may change the proportion of a particular species in the group ingested and hence its n‐alkane contribution to the diet ingested. This could potentially affect estimates of the composition of the diet. Simulations (380) of feeding selectivity within a group of herbage species were undertaken to assess the effects of selectivity on estimates of diet composition. The dataset was from a study whose aim was to estimate the proportions of the herbage component, composed of nineteen species, and of four individual browse species in the diet of red deer grazing a montado ecosystem in S. Portugal in the summer. Simulations were undertaken of total avoidance of each species in the group of herbage species, and selection of each species at 0·5, 1·5, 2·0 and 3·0 of its actual proportion within the group. Feeding selectivity had no effect on 0·36 of the outcomes of the simulations. Over 0·90 of the simulations were within ± 0·05 of the values calculated assuming no selection within the group of herbage species. It is concluded that, in the particular case studied, the effect of selection within a group on the estimates of other dietary components was relatively small and that the group of herbage species could be analysed as a single dietary component.     

Mixing whole-crop pea–oat silage and grass–clover silage: positive effects on intake and milk production of dairy cows

Forty‐eight high‐yielding dairy cows of the Swedish Red breed were used to examine the effects of providing pea–oat silage (P), grass–clover silage (G) and a 0·50:0·50 mixture of the silages (M) ad libitum in diets with two concentrate levels (7 or 10 kg d^?1). A 9‐week experiment, including a 2‐week pre‐experimental period in which the cows were all fed the same diet, and an in vivo apparent digestibility study were conducted comparing the six dietary treatments (M7, M10, P7, P10, G7, G10). Intake and digestibility of the diets and milk production and live weight of the cows were measured. The G silage [11·3 MJ ME kg^?1 dry matter (DM)] was first‐cut grass herbage wilted for 24 h prior to addition of an additive, containing formic acid, propionic acid and ammonia, at 4 L t^?1 fresh matter (FM). The P forage was cut when the peas were at pod fill and ensiled directly with 6 L t^?1 FM of the same additive. The main hypothesis tested, that cows fed the M silage would produce more milk than the cows fed either the P or the G silages, was confirmed. The cows fed the M7 dietary treatment had similar milk yield and milk composition to cows offered the M10, G10 and P10 dietary treatments, and cows offered the G7 and P7 dietary treatments had lower milk and milk protein yields. This suggested that a mixed ration of pea–oat bi‐crop and grass–clover silage has a concentrate‐sparing effect, and that the use of pea–oat bi‐crop and grass–clover silage as a mixed ration for high‐yielding dairy cows can be recommended.     

Dietary buckwheat enhances sirtuin1 without calorie restriction

In the present investigation, the role of dietary intervention in male Wistar rats (n = 8, 3 groups) was studied to observe absolute sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) levels (expressed as ng mg⁻¹ total protein) in serum, stomach, liver, and kidney. Dietary buckwheat at 30% (w/w) level of incorporation in the standard diet (Buckwheat Enriched Diet, BED) improved SIRT1 with values 0.933 ± 0.05, 210 ± 7, 63.26 ± 4, and 69.89 ± 3 in serum, stomach, liver, and kidney respectively when compared to the respective control values of 0.536 ± 0.03, 156 ± 23.3, 31.07 ± 2 and 47.11 ± 4. Moreover, BED though isocaloric to CR diet, led to weight gain (g) by 63.11 ± 3.8, ca. 10%, and 40% higher than control (56.27 ± 5.6) and CR (45.05 ± 4.1) diet groups. A marked rise in Feed Efficiency Ratio (FER) by ca. 37% while a 30% decrease in Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was observed for the BED group which supports unexpected weight gain in rats post-dietary intervention. The results justify the superior nutritional profile of buckwheat laden with essential nutrients, essential proteins, and bioactives. In contrast, Calorie Restriction (CR) resulted in a decline of the total protein content in circulation by 19%, while reduction of total protein in stomach, liver, and kidney was estimated to be 95%, 35.2%, and 27% respectively though SIRT1 values were comparatively the highest in all the samples studied. A 30-fold enhancement of SIRT1 in stomach post CR is presumed to counter enhanced stress in gastric tissues. Therefore, mild to moderate expression of SIRT1 may confer beneficial effects such as delayed aging and stress resistance but exceedingly high SIRT1 may evoke increased oxidative stress.     

Effect on man's serum lipids of a faba-bean protein concentrate

The hypocholesterolemic effect of a vegetable dietary protein was studied by comparing egg white protein and faba-bean protein concentrate in 4 hyperchol-esterolemic persons (3 type IIA, 1 type IIB) and 1 normal individual. To maintain stable body weight, participants were kept for 1 month on an isocaloric diet (20% protein, 48% CHO, 32% fat, P/S=2) and then hospitalized for two consecutive cross-over periods of 18 days each, when they again received an isocaloric diet but of different composition (15% protein, 59% CHO, 26% fat, P/S=2), with the two protein sources as the basis of the cross-over. Serum total, LDL-, VLDL- and HDL-cholesterol and total and VLDL-triglycerides were analyzed every three days. Compared to baseline values, serum total and LDL-cholesterol decreased during both diets, reaching statistical significance for the egg white diet; serum HDL-cholesterol significantly decreased on the faba-bean diet; serum total and VLDL-Tg did not show any significant changes. Comparisons of lipid values at the end of each diet (faba-bean vs. egg white) showed small differences in mean values, none statistically significant. In conclusion, evidence was not obtained that the faba-bean diet produced a significant lowering of serum total and LDL-cholesterol.     

Effects of season and level of grazing on the utilization of heather by sheep. 2. Diet selection and intake

The effect of level of removal of current season's shoots of heather (0,40 and 80% of the dry matter of the shoots) in the summer and autumn on the intake and diet selection by grazing Scottish Blackface wether sheep was examined in an experiment conducted over two years in which all combinations of level and season of grazing were provided. The treatment plots were grazed for 5 weeks at any one time and measurements made of intake and diet selection in weeks 2 and 5. In both the summer and autumn grazing periods level of removal in week 2 had little effect on the quality of the diet selected. In week 5, digestibility of organic matter was higher for the 40% than the 80% level of removal in the summer (0·543 vs 0·508) and particularly in the autumn (0·503 vs 0·449). Digestibility of the diet selected was higher in week 2 than in week 5 in both the summer (0·555 vs 0·525) and in the autumn (0·511 vs 0·476). Mechanisms of diet selection are discussed. In the summer grazing period only small differences existed in intake of organic matter between levels of removal but in the autumn intakes were higher at the 40% than the 80% level of removal. In a clipping experiment in which 0, 40 or 80% of the length of current season's shoots was removed in May, July and September in 3 consecutive years the nitrogen content of clippings in May and July was higher and the cell wall constituent lower at the 40% level in comparison to the 80% level of removal. Higher levels of removal at the previous clipping increased the nitrogen content of the clippings in May, July and September and reduced the cell wall constituent content in September.