Moringa oleifera seeds increase serum cholesterol concentration in rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of Moringa oleifera (moringa) seeds on serum lipid concentrations in rats fed standard chow or high cholesterol diet. DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five equal groups and fed standard chow (control), standard chow + 1% moringa seed powder, 4% cholesterol diet alone, or 4% cholesterol diet + 0.5% or 1% moringa seed powder for 12 weeks. Moringa seeds and rat chow were crushed and mixed with cholesterol powder as required. Serum lipid concentrations were measured at weeks 0, 6 and 12, and fecal cholesterol concentration was measured at week 12. Liver and kidney functions were evaluated by biochemical assessment of relevant parameters including aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, creatinine and urea. RESULTS: Serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations were significantly elevated (p < 0.01) in rats fed the cholesterol diet alone or with moringa seed powder (0.5% or 1%) in comparison to rats fed standard chow. Fecal cholesterol concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in rats fed the cholesterol diet alone as compared to the control group. Moringa did not have a significant effect on serum and fecal cholesterol concentrations in rats fed standard chow. There was no significant difference in concentrations of liver and kidney parameters or relative organ weights between groups. CONCLUSION: Despite popular belief of antilipemic potential, moringa seed powder increases serum cholesterol concentration, specifically LDL, in the presence of a high cholesterol diet. Moringa seed powder inhibited the fecal elimination of dietary cholesterol in rats.

Haematological and serum chemistry reference intervals for categories of pigs in Trinidad and Tobago.

A study was done to establish haematological and serum chemistry reference intervals for nursery pigs (n=120), growers/finishers (n=120), adult non-pregnant, non- lactating female pigs (n=90), mature boars (n=63), pregnant female pigs (n=121), and lactating sows (n=120) in Trinidad and Tobago. Thirty-seven farms were randomly selected for the study. Physical examination was conducted on all animals in order to exclude animals that appeared unhealthy. Blood samples (640 in all) from the pigs were evaluated for haematological and serum chemistry parameters. Reference intervals for the blood parameters were defined by their mean values plus or minus two standard deviations (mean+/- 2 s.d.). The reference limits obtained showed differences among the various age groups and physiological states of the animals, therefore providing an alternative set of reference values to aid in interpretation of data at veterinary laboratories in Trinidad and Tobago.

Haematological and serum chemistry reference intervals for categories of pigs in Trinidad and Tobago.

A study was done to establish haematological and serum chemistry reference intervals for nursery pigs (n=120), growers/finishers (n=120), adult non-pregnant, non- lactating female pigs (n=90), mature boars (n=63), pregnant female pigs (n=121), and lactating sows (n=120) in Trinidad and Tobago. Thirty-seven farms were randomly selected for the study. Physical examination was conducted on all animals in order to exclude animals that appeared unhealthy. Blood samples (640 in all) from the pigs were evaluated for haematological and serum chemistry parameters. Reference intervals for the blood parameters were defined by their mean values plus or minus two standard deviations (mean+/- 2 s.d.). The reference limits obtained showed differences among the various age groups and physiological states of the animals, therefore providing an alternative set of reference values to aid in interpretation of data at veterinary laboratories in Trinidad and Tobago.

Effects of fasting therapy in obese dogs on body weight, and hematological, blood coagulation and serum biochemical values

Body weight, hematological parameters, blood coagulation profiles and serum biochemistry values were investigated in obese beagles during the fasting and refeeding period. There were no severe clinical changes (alopecia, hepatopathy, respiratory abnormalities and cardiac sufficiency) in the obese dogs throughout this study. During refeeding the obese dogs showed two phases of weight reduction - initial rapid weight loss and subsequent slow weight loss. After refeeding, they rapidly regained their initial body weight. Except for transient decreases in some erythrocytic parameters, fasting therapy had no apparent effects on hematological and blood coagulation values. Serum biochemical examinations revealed significant changes in fasting period. In carbohydrate metabolism, blood glucose concentrations gradually decreased and insulin levels declined to normal range. Total ketone body levels rose mainly due to increases in 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. In lipid metabolism, triglyceride, total cholesterol and phospholipids decreased and fatty acid values. The enzyme activities varied within the normal limits. These serum biochemical parameters recovered to the initial levels immediately after the beginning of refeeding. These clinical and clinicopathological results reveal that obese dogs tolerate fasting very well without developing severe ketosis. Our data suggested that obese dogs could use very efficiently ketone bodies and free fatty acids for energy requirements during fasting. In conclusion, fasting therapy does not cause any adverse effects (anemia, severe ketosis and behavioural abnormailities) in obese dogs.

Effects of fasting therapy in obese dogs on body weight, and hematological, blood coagulation and serum biochemical values

Body weight, hematological parameters, blood coagulation profiles and serum biochemistry values were investigated in obese beagles during the fasting and refeeding period. There were no severe clinical changes (alopecia, hepatopathy, respiratory abnormalities and cardiac sufficiency) in the obese dogs throughout this study. During refeeding the obese dogs showed two phases of weight reduction - initial rapid weight loss and subsequent slow weight loss. After refeeding, they rapidly regained their initial body weight. Except for transient decreases in some erythrocytic parameters, fasting therapy had no apparent effects on hematological and blood coagulation values. Serum biochemical examinations revealed significant changes in fasting period. In carbohydrate metabolism, blood glucose concentrations gradually decreased and insulin levels declined to normal range. Total ketone body levels rose mainly due to increases in 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. In lipid metabolism, triglyceride, total cholesterol and phospholipids decreased and fatty acid values. The enzyme activities varied within the normal limits. These serum biochemical parameters recovered to the initial levels immediately after the beginning of refeeding. These clinical and clinicopathological results reveal that obese dogs tolerate fasting very well without developing severe ketosis. Our data suggested that obese dogs could use very efficiently ketone bodies and free fatty acids for energy requirements during fasting. In conclusion, fasting therapy does not cause any adverse effects (anemia, severe ketosis and behavioural abnormailities) in obese dogs.

The presence of Coxiella-like organisms in the commercial foetal bovine sera.

During routine passaging of chicken embryo fibroblasts minute extracellular organisms were observed to develop in the cultures. These organisms could be detected in three different batches of commercial sera from three different suppliers. Passage of the organisms into laboratory guinea pigs resulted into their detection in the mononuclear leukocytes. The biological characteristics of these organisms are similar to those of Coxiella, already described by previous workers. The present results indicate that commercial sera could serve as vehicles of these organisms.

The presence of Coxiella-like organisms in the commercial foetal bovine sera.

During routine passaging of chicken embryo fibroblasts minute extracellular organisms were observed to develop in the cultures. These organisms could be detected in three different batches of commercial sera from three different suppliers. Passage of the organisms into laboratory guinea pigs resulted into their detection in the mononuclear leukocytes. The biological characteristics of these organisms are similar to those of Coxiella, already described by previous workers. The present results indicate that commercial sera could serve as vehicles of these organisms.