Glutathione content of in vivo and in vitro matured canine oocytes collected from different reproductive stages

Glutathione (GSH) concentrations of oocytes are considered as an important marker of the cytoplasmic maturation. The present study was designed to compare GSH concentrations of in vivo and in vitro matured canine oocytes. In vivo matured oocytes were collected 72 hr after ovulation by flushing fallopian tubes after laparotomy. Ovaries were collected from bitches with different reproductive stages, and collected oocytes were divided into 2 groups according to the size viz. < 120 microm and > 120 microm in diameter and cultured for 72 hr in Tissue Culture Medium-199 supplemented with 10% FBS, 2.2 mg/ml sodium bicarbonate, 2.0 microg/ml estrogen, 0.5 microg/ml FSH, 0.03 IU/ml hCG, and 1% penicillin-streptomycin solution in the presence or absence of 50 microM beta-mercaptoethanol. GSH concentrations were determined by the dithionitrobenzoic acid-glutathione disulfide (DTNB-GSSG) reductase recycling assay. GSH concentrations of immature canine oocytes were 2.9 and 3.8, 3.5 and 6.8, and 3.1 and 6.5 pM/oocyte for < 120 microm and > 120 microm in diameter oocyte groups at anestrous, follicular and luteal stage, respectively (P<0.05). In vivo matured oocytes had significantly higher GSH concentrations compared with in vitro matured oocytes. The GSH content was 19.2 pM/oocyte for in vivo matured oocytes, while 4.1 to 8.1 and 5.7 to 13.2 pM/oocyte for in vitro matured oocytes cultured in the absence or presence of beta-mercaptoethanol, respectively (P<0.05). Presence of beta-mercaptoethanol increased GSH synthesis in canine oocytes cultured in vitro, and oocytes collected from follicular and luteal stage was superior to anestrus oocytes.     

Equol,a Blood–Brain Barrier Permeable Gut Microbial Metabolite of Dietary Isoflavone Daidzein,Exhibits Neuroprotective Effects against Neurotoxins Induced Toxicity in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells and Caenorhabditis elegans

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Emerging data support that plant food based isoflavones have ameliorating effects on a variety of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease...     

Variation and correlation analysis of flavonoids and carotenoids in Korean pigmented rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars

Flavonoids and carotenoids of pigmented rice ( Oryza sativa L.), including five black cultivars and two red cultivars, from Korea were characterized to determine the diversity among the phytochemicals and to analyze the relationships among their contents. Black cultivars were higher in flavonoids and carotenoids than the red and white cultivars. The profiles of eight phytochemicals identified from the rice grains were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) to evaluate the differences among cultivars. PCA could fully distinguish between these cultivars. The Heugjinjubyeo (BR-1) and Heugseolbyeo (BR-2) cultivars were separated from the others based on flavonoid and carotenoid concentrations. Flavonoid contents had a positive correlation with carotenoid contents among all rice grains. The BR-1 and BR-2 cultivars appear to be good candidates for future breeding programs because they have simultaneously high flavonoid and carotenoid contents.     

Fabrication of electropsun PLGA and small intestine submucosa-blended nanofibrous membranes and their biocompatibility for wound healing

In recent decades, tremendous research has focused on the production of nanoscale fibers using synthetic polymers, with the goal of fabricating nanofibrous scaffolds for wound healing. However, the hydrophobicity of such polymers typically hinders attachment and proliferation of the cells. In this study, we combined poly-d,l-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) and small intestine submucosa (SIS) to fabricate blended nanofibers for wound healing by electrospinning. PLGA and SIS were dissolved in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro isopropanol to produce different weight ratios of PLGA/SIS-blended nanofibrous membranes (NFM). Physicochemical characterization of the electrospun NFM was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water contact angle analysis, degradation test and tensile testing. The PLGA/SIS-blended NFM showed improved hydrophilicity and tensile strength. Better infiltration, attachment and proliferation of rat granulation fibroblasts of PLGA/SIS-blended NFMs compared to PLGA NFMs were identified by morphological differences determined by SEM and a water-soluble tetrazolium salt assay kit. Based on our results, the PLGA/SIS blended NFMs were found to be suitable for use as a potential material for wound dressing.     

Flow cytometric assessment of ethylene glycol monoethyl ether on spermatogenesis in rats

The effects of ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGEE) on testicular cell populations in rats were investigated by a flow cytometric method. Rats were administered by gavage with EGEE at the various doses of 0 (saline alone), 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight/day for 4 weeks. The treatment of EGEE caused decreases in the weight of testis and epididymis and in the number of testicular cells. Histopathologically, exfoliation of germ cells into the tubular lumen was observed at the doses of above 200 mg/kg. The treatment of EGEE at the dose of 400 mg/kg caused moderate testicular degeneration. A significant depletion of haploid cells and a disproportionate ratio of diploid and tetraploid cells were observed as determined by flow cytometric analysis. These results indicate that the toxic effect of EGEE on the male reproductive system may be strongly associated with the disproportion of testicular germ cells.     

Intestinal immunomodulation by vitamin A deficiency and lactobacillus-based probiotic in Eimeria acervulina-infected broiler chickens

In a 2 X 2 factorial study, a broiler starter ration was amended for vitamin A (control, C; deficient, A) and probiotic status (-, P) to investigate their modulatory effects onthe host immune system. Birds were inoculated orally with Eimeria acervulina (EA) oocysts, and disease susceptibility was evaluated by assessment of fecal oocyst shedding. Humoral and local cellular mediated immunity were assessed by evaluation of antibody and cytokine (interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] and interleukin-2 [IL-2]) levels in sera and intestinal secretions on a 3-day interval after inoculation. Fecal oocyst shedding was highest (P < 0.05) in A- birds, followed by AP, C-, and CP birds. Feeding the probiotic reduced shed oocysts by 20% in A fed birds and by 26% in C fed birds. Intestinal IFN-gamma was relatively constant in all treatment groups except for A-, where it declined steadily and was lower (P < 0.05) from day 6 on. Serum IFN-gamma levels fluctuated within each treatment and over time were not revealing. Intestinal IL-2 was highest in CP birds at 3 and 9 days postinfection (DPI) and lowest in A- birds at 3, 9, and 12 DPI (P < 0.05); no difference between treatments was found at 6 DPI (P > 0.05). Eimeria-specific intestinal antibody (Ab) level was constant (P > 0.05) in C- birds but increased with time (P < 0.05) in A-, AP, and CP birds. Serum Ab levels were also constant in A- and CP birds but increased (P < 0.05) in C- and AP birds after 6 DPI. The data demonstrate for the first time a probiotic-enhanced immunity in vitamin A deficient birds. This study is also the first to demonstrate the probiotic effect on local cell-mediated immunity of chickens, best manifested by apparent lower intestinal invasion and development by EA, on the basis of higher IL-2 secretion and lower EA oocyst production.     

Effect of group size and feeder type on growth performance and feeding patterns in finishing pigs

The effects of four group sizes (2, 4, 8, and 12 pigs per pen) and two single-space feeder types (conventional and electronic feed intake recording equipment [FIRE]) on feed intake, growth performance, and feeding patterns were determined in 208 crossbred finishing pigs (equal numbers of barrows and gilts) between 84.4 (SD = 0.81) to 112.8 (SD = 1.08) kg BW over a 4-wk period. Pigs were given ad libitum access to a corn-soybean meal-based diet (15.9% CP; 0.79% lysine; 3,328 kcal ME/kg). The floor space allowance was 0.9 m2/pig for all treatments. Growth rates were not different for the two feeder types; however, feed intake was lower and gain:feed ratio higher for pigs on the FIRE feeders (P < 0.01). Feed intake, growth rate, and gain:feed ratio were not different (P > 0.05) among the group sizes. Number of feeder visits per day decreased and feed intake per visit, feeder occupation time per visit, feed consumption rate, and percentage of time the feeder was occupied increased with group size (P < 0.05). Feed intake per visit had the strongest correlation with daily feed intake (r = 0.54; P < 0.01) and was negatively correlated with gain:feed ratio (r = -0.38; P < 0.01). However, the correlations between growth performance and other feeding pattern traits were relatively weak (r < or = 0.30). As group size increased, diurnal variation in number of feeder visits and feed consumed per hour decreased. There was no difference in time spent sitting and standing between the two feeder types. The proportion of time spent eating was generally lower for the larger groups on both feeders. The proportion of time spent lying was similar across group sizes for pigs on the conventional feeders but was greater for pigs in the larger groups on the FIRE feeders. This study suggests that finishing pigs can maintain feed intake and growth rate by changing feeding behavior as group size increases from 2 to 12.     

Protective effect of butylated hydroxylanisole against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a synthetic phenolic compound consisting of a mixture of two isomeric organic compounds: 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole. We examined the effect of BHA against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced apoptosis in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. Cell viability was significantly decreased by H₂O₂ in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, H₂O₂ treatment increased Bax, decreased Bcl-2, and promoted PARP-1 cleavage in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with BHA before exposure to H₂O₂ significantly attenuated the H₂O₂-induced decrease of cell viability. H₂O₂ exposure resulted in an increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation that was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with BHA or N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC, an ROS scavenger). H₂O₂-induced decrease of cell viability was also attenuated by pretreatment with BHA and NAC. Furthermore, H₂O₂-induced increase of Bax, decrease of Bcl-2, and PARP-1 cleavage was also inhibited by BHA. Taken together, results of this investigation demonstrated that BHA protects primary cultured mouse hepatocytes against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis by inhibiting ROS generation.