Effect of melatonin on visceral fat deposition,lipid metabolism and hepatic lipo-metabolic gene expression in male rats

Melatonin (MT) influences lipid metabolism in animals; however, the mechanistic effect of melatonin on liver fat and abdominal adipose deposition requires further clarity. In order to study the effects of melatonin on lipid metabolism, and hepatic fat and abdominal adipose deposition in animals, twenty Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats of 6 weeks of age with similar bodyweight were randomly divided into two groups: control (CTL) and MT-treated (10 mg/kg/day). During a 60-day experiment, food intake and bodyweight were measured daily and weekly respectively. At the end of treatment, blood samples were collected to collect plasma to quantify hormones and metabolic indicators of lipid metabolism. In addition, organ and abdominal adipose depots including liver, and omental, perirenal, and epididymal fat were weighed. Liver tissue was sampled for sectioning, long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) quantification, and gene chip and Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analyses. The results showed that liver weight and index (ratio of liver weight to body weight) in MT group reduced by 20.69% and 9.63% respectively; omentum weight and index reduced by 59.88% and 54.93% respectively, and epididymal fat weight reduced by 45.34% (p = 0.049), relative to CTL. Plasma lipid indices, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol (TC) with MT treatment decreased significantly compared with the control. Fat and 8 LCFA content in liver in MT group also decreased. Gene chip and qPCR demonstrated that there were 289 genes up-regulated and 293 genes down-regulated by MT. Further analysis found that the mRNA expression of lipolysis-related genes increased, while the mRNA expression of lipogenesis-related enzymes decreased (p < 0.05) with MT. This study concluded that melatonin greatly affected fat deposition, and hepatic LCFA supply and the expression of genes associated with lipogenesis and lipolysis.     

Rate-specific responses of prokaryotic diversity and structure to nitrogen deposition in the Leymus chinensis steppe

Serious nitrogen (N) deposition in terrestrial ecosystems causes soil acidification and changes the structure and function of the microbial community. However, it is unclear how these changes are dependent on N deposition rates, other factors induced by N (e.g., pH), and their interactions. In this study, we investigated the responses of soil prokaryotic community structure and stability after a 13-year N addition in the semi-arid Leymus chinensis steppe in Inner Mongolia, China. Our results demonstrated that the prokaryotic community structure changed at the low N addition rate of 1.75 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹; however, dramatic changes in microbial abundance, respiratory quotient, and prokaryotic diversity occurred at N addition rates of more than 5.25 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹ when the soil pH dropped below 6.0. The two patterns indicated the difference in driving forces for different microbial properties. The N-driven and pH-driven processes are likely the most important mechanisms determining the responses of bacterial community to N. Some copiotrophic/oligotrophic bacteria, e.g., Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria, changed their relative abundances with the N addition continuously even at a low rate, indicating that they were more sensitive to N directly. Some bacterial groups significantly changed their relative abundance at a high N addition rate when pH dropped below 6.0, e.g., Verrucomicrobia and Armatimonadetes, indicating that they were more sensitive to pH below 6.0. N addition altered the prokaryotic community structure through enrichment of copiotrophic bacteria (species adjustment) at low N addition rates and through enrichment of nitrophilous taxa and significant loss of diversity at high N rates. The results also demonstrated that a high N addition diminished the stability of the prokaryotic community structure and activity through reduction in species diversity and bacterial interaction. Overall, this study supported the hypothesis that the responses of prokaryota to N were dependent on deposition rates, and N-driven and pH-driven processes were the important mechanisms to control the shift of the prokaryotic community.     

Soil aggregation and the stabilization of organic carbon as affected by erosion and deposition

The importance of soil aggregation in determining the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) during erosion, transportation and deposition is poorly understood. Particularly, we do not know how aggregation contributes to the often-observed accumulation of SOC at depositional sites. Our objective was to assess how aggregation affects SOC stabilization in comparison to interactions of SOC with minerals. We determined and compared aggregate size distributions, SOC distribution in density fractions, and lignin-derived phenols from aggregated soil samples at both eroding and depositional sites. The stabilization effect of aggregation was quantified by comparing mineralization from intact and crushed macro-aggregates. Deposition of eroded soil material resulted in carbon (C) enrichment throughout the soil profile. Both macro-aggregate associated SOC and C associated with minerals (heavy fraction) increased in their importance from the eroding to the depositional site. In the uppermost topsoil (0–5 cm), SOC mineralization from intact aggregates was larger at the depositional site than at the eroding site, reflecting the large input of labile organic matter (plant residues) promoting aggregation. Contrastingly, in the subsoil, mineralization rates were lower at the depositional site because of effective stabilization by interactions with soil minerals. Aggregate crushing increased SOC mineralization by 10–80% at the eroding site, but not at the depositional site. The content of lignin-derived phenols did not differ between eroding and depositional sites in the topsoil (24.6–30.9 mg per g C) but was larger in the subsoil of the eroding site, which was accompanied by higher lignin oxidation. Lignin data indicated minor effects of soil erosion and deposition on the composition of SOC. We conclude that SOC is better protected in aggregates at the eroding than at the depositional site. During transport disaggregation and consequently SOC mineralization took place, while at the depositional site re-aggregation occurred mainly in the form of macro-aggregates. However, this macro-aggregation did not result in a direct stabilization of SOC. We propose that the occlusion of C inside aggregates serves as a pathway for the eroded C to be later stabilized by organo-mineral interaction.     

Influence of amount and type of dietary fat on deposition, adipocyte count and iodine number of abdominal fat in broiler chickens

This study described the relation between the type and amount of dietary fat on the deposition of abdominal fat by broiler chickens. It was hypothesized that at higher fat intakes, the well-known lowering effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on the deposition of abdominal fat would be diminished. Experimental diets were formulated to contain three levels of added fat (3%, 6% and 9%). Each level had different proportions of the saturated fatty acids (SFA) and unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) by installing the ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5 with the use of tallow and soybean oil. Arbor Acres chicks, aged 7 days, were fed one of the 15 experimental diets until they were aged 42 days. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. There was no systematic effect of the dietary fat type and the amount on the weight gain and the feed intake. The lowest SFA:UFA ratio of 1:5 produced the lowest feed conversion rates, irrespective of the amount of the fat in the diet. The abdominal fat deposition was similar in the birds fed on diets containing either 3% or 6% added fat, but deposition was lower than in those fed 9% fat. A decrease in the SFA:UFA ratio of the diet was associated with a dose-dependent decrease in abdominal fat, irrespective of the amount of fat in the diet. This observation leads to the rejection of the hypothesis stated above. A decrease in the dietary SFA:UFA from 1:1 to 1:4 caused a decrease in the number of the fat cells per surface unit of breast meat. It is concluded that an increased intake of soybean oil at the expense of tallow reduced the abdominal fat deposition and the number of fat cells in the breast meat of broiler chickens.     

枯草芽孢杆菌铜对先天性缺铜大鼠生长发育、器官指数、铜沉积量、血清生化和抗氧化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究枯草芽孢杆菌铜对先天性缺铜大鼠生长发育、器官指数、铜沉积量、血清生化和抗氧化指标的影响。试验分为模型期和干预试验期。模型期选取怀孕10 d的SD大鼠72只,平均分为模型组和对照组,每组6个重复,每个重复6只。模型组大鼠孕期饲喂缺铜饲粮(铜含量为0.33 mg/kg),对照组大鼠孕期饲喂正常饲粮(在缺铜饲粮基础上添加6.0 mg/kg五水硫酸铜),持续到哺乳期结束,验证建模是否成功。干预试验期选择24日建模成功的缺铜幼龄大鼠108只,随机分成6个试验组,Ⅰ～Ⅲ组为硫酸铜组(缺铜饲粮基础上分别添加3.0、6.0和9.0 mg/kg五水硫酸铜),Ⅳ～Ⅵ组为枯草芽孢杆菌铜组(缺铜饲粮基础上分别添加3.0、6.0和9.0 mg/kg枯草芽孢杆菌铜),每个组3个重复,每个重复6只。试验期35 d。结果表明:1)在铜添加量相同条件下,Ⅳ组体重和血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性显著或极显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05或P<0.01),Ⅳ组血清谷草转氨酶/谷丙转氨酶(AST/ALT)显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。Ⅴ组血清铜蓝蛋白(CP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性显著或极显高于Ⅱ组(P<0.05或P<0.01),Ⅴ组血清丙二醛(MDA)含量显著低于Ⅱ组(P<0.05)。Ⅵ组血清AKP活性和肾脏中铜沉积量显著或极显高于Ⅲ组(P<0.05或P<0.01)。2)在硫酸铜组中,Ⅱ、Ⅲ组体重、体长显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),Ⅲ组血清CP活性显著或极显著高于Ⅰ、Ⅱ组(P<0.05或P<0.01),Ⅲ组血清AKP活性显著高于Ⅱ组(P <0.05),Ⅲ组血清谷草转氨酶(AST)、GSH-Px和铜锌超氧化物歧化酶(CuZn-SOD)活性及肾脏中铜沉积量显著或极显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05或P<0.01),Ⅲ组血清M DA含量极显著低于Ⅰ组(P <0.01)。在枯草芽孢杆菌铜组中,Ⅵ组体重、体长,血清AST、GSH-Px和CuZn-SOD活性,心脏、肝脏、肾脏中铜沉积量显著或极显著高于Ⅳ组(P<0.05或P<0.01),Ⅵ组血清CP和AKP活性显著或极显著高于Ⅳ、Ⅴ组(P <0.05或P <0.01)。由此可见,枯草芽孢杆菌铜能提高先天性缺铜大鼠体重,血清CP、AKP、ALT活性,提高机体抗氧化能力,增加肝脏、肾脏中铜沉积量,效果优于硫酸铜,且降低了饲粮中铜添加量。     

饲粮蛋白质水平对空怀期云南半细毛羊氮沉积和养分排放的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮蛋白质水平对空怀期云南半细毛羊氮沉积和养分排放的影响,以期为空怀期云南半细毛羊饲粮配比和减少环境负荷研究提供理论参考。试验选用50只体况良好、体重相近、38月龄的空怀期云南半细毛羊,随机分成5个组(每组10只),分别饲喂蛋白质水平为7.60%(组1)、9.49%(组2)、11.29%(组3)、11.56%(组4)和14.96%(组5)的饲粮,饲粮其他营养水平保持一致。试验羊进行19d的饲养试验,其中预试期14d,正试期5d。正试期从每组选择5只试验羊进行消化代谢试验,试验羊在代谢笼中单笼饲养,采用全收粪尿法连续收集5d粪便,并采集饲粮样品。结果表明:1)饲粮蛋白质水平对空怀期云南半细毛羊的干物质采食量和粪干物质排放量无显著影响(P>0.05)。2)随着饲粮蛋白质水平的升高,氮摄入量呈显著或极显著增加(P<0.05或P<0.01);组3的氮沉积率极显著高于组1(P<0.01),其他组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。3)粪氮排放量随饲粮蛋白质水平的升高逐渐增加,组2与组1、组3差异不显著(P>0.05),其他组间差异极显著(P<0.01);粪钙排放量以组3最低(5.04g/d),且极显著低于组5(P<0.01);粪磷排放量随饲粮蛋白质水平的升高逐渐增加,组1、组2、组3极显著低于组5(P<0.01),组4显著低于组5(P<0.05)。4)尿氮排放量随着饲粮蛋白质水平的升高逐渐增加,组2与组1、组3差异不显著(P>0.05),其他组间差异极显著(P<0.01);尿钙排放量以组3最低,为1.18g/d,比组1、组5分别降低0.53和0.78g/d;尿磷排放量组1显著低于组5(P<0.05),其他各组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。5)粪尿氮排放总量组5极显著高于其他组(P<0.01),粪尿钙排放总量组3极显著低于其他组(P<0.01),粪尿磷排放总量组1、组2极显著低于组5(P<0.01)。6)粪氮占比为72.44%~42.06%,随着饲粮蛋白质水平的升高逐渐降低,尿氮占比为27.56%~57.94%,随着饲粮蛋白质水平的升高逐渐升高;粪、尿钙和磷占比各组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。综合各项指标,在本试验条件下,当饲粮蛋白质水平为11.29%时,空怀期云南半细毛羊的氮沉积最佳,粪尿钙排放总量最低;饲粮蛋白质水平在一定范围(7.06%~11.56%)时对空怀期云南半细毛羊粪尿磷排放总量无显著影响;空怀期云南半细毛羊对钙、磷的排放以从粪中排放为主,多余的氮则主要从尿中以尿氮的形式排出。     

驴内脏组织中脂肪沉积相关基因的差异表达

脂肪沉积相关基因在动物内脏中的异常表达与某些疾病相关。应用RT-qPCR技术分别检测2岁~3岁健康公、母新疆驴内脏器官心、脾、肾、肝、小肠、大肠和肺中脂肪沉积相关基因H-FABP、PLIN1、LPL、HSL、PPARγ和FASN的表达差异。结果显示,新疆驴内脏器官中脂肪沉积相关基因的表达,性别对基因的差异表达影响较小;在各组织间,H-FABP基因在心脏、PLIN1基因在肝脏组织中的表达都显著的高于其他组织;LPL、HSL基因在心脏、肾脏的表达量较高;PPARγ基因在脾、肺中表达最高,而FASN基因在心、脾中表达最低。研究结果可为新疆驴内脏器官有关疾病的监测与预防提供一定的参考。     

Use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for characterization of focal splenic lesions.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was used to study focal and multifocal lesions of the spleen in 26 dogs and two cats affected by 11 benign and 18 malignant splenic diseases. A second-generation microbubble contrast medium (Sonovue) was injected into the cephalic vein and enhancement patterns were subjectively described and time intensity curves calculated. Final diagnosis was obtained by histopathologic examination after splenectomy (n=19) or by needle aspiration and sonographic follow-up after 4 and 8 weeks (n=9). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters, improving the characterization between benign and malignant lesions, were established. The most useful criterion was the hypoechogenicity of the lesion in the wash-out phase combined with the presence of tortuous feeding vessels, which was observed in association with malignancy. All malignant lesions were hypoechoic to the surrounding spleen 30s after starting the contrast medium injection. Lymphosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma had characteristic perfusion patterns. Lymphosarcoma had rapid time to peak and early wash-out phase with a honeycomb pattern during the wash-out. Hemangiosarcomas were large nonperfused masses in all phases surrounded by hypervascular splenic parenchyma. Benign lesions except one hematoma and a benign histiocytoma had the same perfusion pattern as the surrounding spleen. Ultrasonographic and contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings of an accessory spleen are reported. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can improve the characterization of focal or multifocal lesions of the spleen.