Effects of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate and γ-Oryzanol on Blood Biochemical Markers in Exercising Thoroughbred Race Horses

In both the horse and the man, nutritional ergogenic aids have been used to improve physical ability in conjunction with an appropriate training regimen. Although training increases physical condition, the ease of taking a nutritional additive to improve training results explains the demand for supplementation, which may increase mechanical energy of work, delay onset of fatigue, or improve neuromuscular coordination. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of oral supplementation of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) and γ-oryzanol (GO) on indices of exercise-induced muscle damage in Thoroughbred race horses. In this 32-week study, the horses were assigned to either a placebo, GO (3.0 g/d), HMB (15 g/d), or GO and HMB treatment groups. The supplements were administered for the first 16 weeks of the study during the training period before the racing season began. Blood samples were taken at baseline, and then during training, before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 30 minutes after exercise. Heart rate and speed were monitored in each exercise session. Hematocrit, glucose, lactate (LA), creatine phosphokinase, and aspartate aminotransferase were measured before and after each exercise session. Analysis of variance showed a significantly greater increase in postexercise creatine kinase activity in placebo-supplemented group than in the other treatment groups, both in the training period and during the racing seasons (P < .05). Blood LA was higher immediately after exercise in the placebo group compared with the supplemented groups. In conclusion, supplementation with HMB and GO resulted in decreased creatine kinase and LA after exercise. These findings support the hypothesis that HMB and GO supplementation helps to prevent exercise-induced muscle damage.     

Phagocytosis of neutrophils in rabbits infected with antigenic variants of RHD (rabbit haemorrhagic disease) virus

The present study was aimed at determining changes in chosen elements of phagocytosis in rabbits infected with 3 antigenic variants of RHD - Hartmannsdorf, Pv97 and 9905, which differed in haemagglutination ability. The animals were tested for phagocytosis parameters, and the results revealed that the examined strains showed the differences. These variations regarded mainly Pv97 strain, as the intensity of the changes were 5 times stronger in comparison to strain Hartmannsdorf and 9905. As all of the strains examined are signified as antigenic variants, we have stated that this feature does not determine their immunological picture. The results suggest the existence of immunological dissimilarities among strains of the RHD virus, which was revealed for the first time in antigenic variants.     

Assessment of treatment of Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) of shoulder joint in dogs--the results of two years of experience

Osteochondrosis is a common and clinically important joint disorder that occurs in human and many species of animals such as pigs, horses and dogs. The aim of this article is to present the results of conservative and surgical treatment of Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) and to compare the recovery time in relation to race, age and extent of cartilage damage. The study was performed on 36 dogs of both sexes, aged from 4 to 24 months, weighing 12-70 kg, of different breeds (predisposed and non-specific for this disease). All patients underwent clinical, orthopedic and radiological examination through which the location of OCD changes in the shoulder joint and the degree of this problem were established. Based on the examinations the patients were qualified for particular treatment procedures. Control tests were performed after 14, 30 and 60 days, which allowed for a precise evaluation of the progress of therapy. Achieved results indicate that dogs age and the lesions extent in the shoulder joint have an impact on the outcome of treatment. Studies showed that the best therapeutic effects were obtained in dogs aged 6-10 months, which underwent surgery. The study proved that the early diagnosis of OCD strongly influence the recovery rate and may inhibit the development of degenerative changes in the joint (DJD).     

The Seasonal Variation in Bioactive Compounds Content in Juice from Organic and Non-organic Tomatoes

A specific objective of this paper was to evaluate seasonal changes in bioactive compounds level (carotenoids and polyphenols) in juice prepared from organic and non-organic tomatoes in Poland. In the examined tomato juice, the content of dry matter, vitamin C, carotenoids as well as polyphenols (by HPLC method) has been measured. The presented results indicate the impact of the growing system and the year of production on the composition of tomato juice. The organic tomato juice contained significantly more beta-carotene, chlorogenic acid, rutin as well as more total phenolic acids, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, total flavonoids, quercetin-3-O-glucoside and quercetin in comparison with the non-organic. The tomato juice from 2008 contained significantly more carotenoids and some flavonoids compared to the one produced in 2009, which contained significantly more dry matter, vitamin C, as well as quercetin and it derivatives.     

Expression of inflammation-mediated cluster of genes as a new marker of canine mammary malignancy

Because canine mammary tumours constitute a serious clinical problem and there are no good prognostic markers (only histopathological variables are used), the aim of the presented study was to find new malignancy markers as well as to identify intracellular pathways and biological processes characteristic for canine mammary malignancy. We compared gene expression of the most malignant mammary tumours (poorly differentiated cancers of the 3rd grade of malignancy) with less malignant tumours (well differentiated cancers of the 1st grade of malignancy). The results of our study indicated that in dogs the number of tumour-infiltrating myeloid cells or expression of myeloid-specific antigens by cancer cells is related to the cancer progression and may constitute a new marker of malignancy, however further studies in this field are required.     

Effect of Growth Regulators and Ethanol on Termination of Dormancy in Potato Tubers

The main objective of this study was to find the best practice of inducing the sprouting of dormant potato tubers. We compared two protocols of breakage of dormancy, which are based on dipping excised potato eyes in an aqueous solution of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and kinetin (standard 1) or in the aqueous solution of GA₃, thiourea, and daminozide (standard 2), with a newly reported approach based on ethanol. We tested the effect of ethanol alone or in combination with GA₃ and/or kinetin on dormancy release and sprouting of the potato tubers. As a model, we used two potato genotypes (cultivars Pasat and Dorota), with long dormancy of 5 and 10 weeks respectively. We showed that the standard 2 was the most effective treatment both for dormancy breaking and in promoting sprout growth, especially for cv. Dorota, for which the treatment induced 82.3% of tuber eye-plugs to sprout 28 days after treatment and to produce 93.2% of emerged plants after subsequent 28 days of cultivation in the greenhouse. For this cultivar, similar efficacy was observed for the combination of 4% ethanol with GA₃ and kinetin. The same concentration of ethanol combined with GA₃ but without kinetin was the most efficient treatment for breaking dormancy of cultivar Pasat. However, the difference between the various treatment combinations was statistically insignificant. Ethanol alone or in combination with kinetin poorly induced breakage of dormancy, confirming the main role of GA₃ in artificial dormancy breaking. Thus our study showed that the standard 2 is the most effective approach for breakage of dormancy at least with long term-dormancy cultivars.     

Application of reactive UV-absorbers for increasing protective properties of cellulose fabrics during standard laundering process

A number of water-soluble colourless fibre-reactive UV-absorbers derivatives of symmetrical triazine were used as additives during commercial laundering process. UV-protection factor (UPF) of such treated cotton tricot samples was measured. Changes in protection properties of modified textiles after repeated standard laundering process were determined. Carried-out experiments gave evidence of covalent bond formation between applied absorbers and cellulose fibre during standard washing process at 40 °C or 60 °C. Textiles modified by this method have provided UV-protective properties for prolonged time.     

Fruit Physical Features,Phenolic Compounds Profile and Inhibition Activities of Cranberry Cultivars (Vaccinium macrocarpon) Compared to Wild-Grown Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus)

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - This study analysed fruits of cranberry cultivars: Ben Lear, Bergman, Early Richard, Pilgrim and Stevens and compared them with wild-grown cranberry fruits. The...     

Vitamin C and quercetin modulate DNA-damaging effect of N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)

The effects of natural compounds, vitamin C and quercetin, present in fruitsand vegetables, on the DNA damaging activity of a food carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) were examinedusing the comet assay. Vitamin C, at a concentration of 50 M,inhibited MNNG-induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes. Quercetin,up to a concentration of 10 M, increased the extent of DNA damage,but at concentrations above 10 M decreased damage below controlvalues. Furthermore, quercetin had a strong antioxidant activity againstoxidative damage evoked by H₂O₂ at 10 M. The resultsobtained suggest that vitamin C and quercetin may have anti- orpro-oxidative properties depending on the state of the cell.     

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.