Effects of genotype, sex, and feed restriction on the biochemical composition of chicken preen gland secretions and their implications for commercial poultry production.

Preen gland secretions spread on the feathers contain various chemical compounds dominated by fatty acids (FAs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals may significantly affect plumage condition, microbial and ectoparasitic load on feathers, and chemical communication of birds. However, how chemical composition of preen secretions varies in commercially produced chickens with respect to their genotype, sex, and feeding regime remain largely unknown, as well as the welfare implications for farmed poultry. We found that while polyunsaturated fatty acids in chicken preen secretions differed significantly with genotype (P << 0.001), saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids varied with genotype-dependent preen gland volume (P < 0.01). Chickens of meat-type fast-growing Ross 308 genotype had reduced preen gland volume and lower proportions of all FA categories in their preen secretions compared with dual-purpose slow-growing ISA Dual chickens. A total of 34 FAs and 77 VOCs with tens of unique FAs were detected in preen secretions of both genotypes. While differences in the relative proportion of 6 of the 10 most dominant VOCs in chicken preen gland secretions were related to genotype (P < 0.001), only 1 of the 10 most dominant VOCs showed a sex effect (P < 0.01), and only 2 of the 10 most dominant VOCs showed a genotype-dependent effect of feed restriction (P < 0.05). Feed restriction had no effect on the relative proportion of any of the FAs in chicken preen gland secretions. Moreover, we found that meat-type Ross 308 preen secretions were dominated by VOCs, which are proven attractants for poultry red mite and may also increase infestation with other ectoparasites and negatively influence overall odor-mediated intraspecific communication and welfare. This study shows that no feeding management, but long-term genetic selection in commercial breeding may be the main cause of the differences in the biochemistry and function of chicken preen secretions. This might have negative consequences for chemosignaling, antiparasitic, and antimicrobial potential of preen secretions and can lead to increased susceptibility to ectoparasites, plumage care disorders, and can affect the overall condition, welfare, and productivity of commercially bred chickens. Selection-induced preen gland impairments must therefore be considered and compensated by proper management of the chicken farm and increased care about animal well-being.

The preen gland is the largest sebaceous gland in birds, which produces a secretion that is spread on the feathers during comfort behavior. The secretion of the preen gland contains various chemical compounds that are responsible for mechanical, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic protection of the plumage and probably also for chemical communication between birds. However, there are only a limited number of studies on the composition and function of preen secretions in wild birds and only limited evidence in poultry. In this study, we compared the chemical composition of preen secretions in fast-growing meat-type and slow-growing dual-purpose chickens and evaluated the effect of sex, body condition, and feeding regime on preen secretion composition. Fast-growing meat-type chickens had smaller preen glands and lower proportions of all analyzed compounds in preen secretions compared to slow-growing dual-purpose chickens. In addition, compounds that are proven attractants for a poultry-threatening ectoparasite, poultry red mite, were predominant in the secretions of meat-type chickens. This study is the first to show that genetically distinct breeds of chickens can differ significantly in the biochemistry of preen secretions, which can influence susceptibility to ectoparasites, plumage care disorders, and can affect the overall condition, well-being, and productivity of commercially raised chickens.

The potential role of feed restriction on productivity, carcass composition, meat quality, and muscle fibre properties of growing rabbits: A review.

After weaning rabbits, two post-weaning feed restriction (FR) programs are used: a quantitative FR (quantity of feed-limited or time-limited access to feed) or a qualitative FR (modification of diet composition in particularly protein, energy or fibre). Application of post-weaning FR has potential to control post-weaning digestive disorders, and early lower growth rates may be compensated for by later compensatory growth. FR strategies also have potential to enhance feed conversion ratio and reduce carcass fatness. FR may also influence meat chemical composition and physical quality characteristics via controlling the morphological and biochemical properties of muscle fibres. The purpose of this review was to shed light on recent findings regarding benefits of FR on productive performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality characteristics, and muscle fibre properties in growing rabbits.

Beta-blockers for Atherosclerosis Prevention: a Missed Opportunity?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Current guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension endorse ß-adrenergic receptor blocking agents (beta-blockers, BBs) as being particularly useful for hypertension in specific situations such as symptomatic angina, tachycardia, post-myocardial infarction, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and as an alternative to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in hypertensive women planning pregnancy or at least of child-bearing potential. One of the most common uses of BBs is in patients with a recent myocardial infarction, with or without hypertension. Although this one use is specifically in a setting of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), it is not primarily for atheroprevention, but rather for cases with impaired systolic function, and it is intended primarily to lessen adverse cardiac remodeling and worsening of congestive heart failure (CHF). The BB class consists of numerous agents which differ widely in pharmacologic properties and physiologic effects. These differences include selectivity for ß-adrenergic receptors and their subtypes, hydro- or lipophilicity, effects on blood pressure and heart rate, influence on lipoprotein and glucose metabolism, and direct impact on the artery wall, including platelet reactivity, endothelial function, infiltration of inflammatory cells and on inflammation per se, and on smooth muscle cell proliferation. Importantly, BBs are not commonly used for prevention of atherosclerosis or ASCVD per se. Many studies of early-generation BBs showed adverse effects on lipoprotein levels and metabolism of glucose and insulin and thus discouraged their use in atheroprevention. Nevertheless, newer BBs often have neutral or favorable metabolic effects on these important factors in ASCVD pathophysiology, and recent scientific studies now document direct beneficial effects of BBs on the artery wall. This document reviews both types of newer data, not only to encourage consideration of BB treatment to reduce ASCVD in the present, but also to call for future research to better explore the clinical settings in which BBs may be proven to have additional benefit in preventing ASCVD when added to the better-established treatments for dyslipidemia and diabetes. RECENT FINDINGS: Relatively recent publications have clarified the diversity among BBs regarding adverse, neutral, or favorable effects on lipoproteins (especially triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)) and on glucose/insulin metabolism. Specifically, the newer BBs (metoprolol ER, carvedilol ER, bisoprolol, and nebivolol) are now documented to be metabolically beneficial. These new data are complex but instructive regarding potential mechanisms of the diverse effects of various BBs on metabolism. Further and more importantly, these new data refute the traditional, but now outmoded, concept that BBs are universally harmful metabolically and therefore must be used sparingly, if at all, for atheroprevention. Recent studies have also reported exciting new data regarding how certain BBs can reduce platelet adhesion and improve the function of the major cell types in the artery wall, including the endothelium, macrophages, and smooth muscle cells. Specifically, BBs can improve endothelial function by enhancing arterial vasodilation and by reducing monocyte adhesion and transmigration. Further, BBs can decrease numbers and activity of inflammatory cells, including decreasing proliferation of smooth muscle cells and their transformation into inflammatory cells. These data help with the crucial step of distinguishing among available BBs regarding their likely overall arterial effects, whether to accelerate or prevent the development of atherosclerosis. In this regard, there is even some limited published information beyond these intermediary steps, going directly to the clinically more important endpoints of atherosclerosis and ASCVD events. The negative metabolic effects observed with the use of traditional/earlier generations of BBs have discouraged use of any BBs to prevent ASCVD. These adverse effects are not seen, however, with newer BBs. Thus, BBs continue to be a useful component of combination regimens not only in the treatment of arterial hypertension, heart failure, and arrhythmia, but also potentially in the prevention of atherosclerosis and ASCVD. Despite this exciting potential, further research is greatly needed to better establish the possible benefits of the most promising BBs as they might work in combination with other better-established atheropreventive agents. Specifically, there is a need for randomized, prospective, cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) in high-risk patients, adding a BB to background LDL-lowering (statins, etc.), TG-lowering (specifically icosapent ethyl, which reduces ASCVD in patients with high TG, although apparently not via TG-lowering), and/or anti-diabetic (sodium glucose transport-2 inhibitors, SGLT2i, and glucagon-like protein-1 receptor agonists, GLP1-RA) treatments, as indicated in a given subject population.

The effect of feed restriction, sex and age on the carcass composition and meat quality of nutrias (Myocastor coypus).

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of quantitative feed restriction on the carcass composition and physical, chemical, histochemical and sensory properties of meat from male and female nutria at the end of the feed restriction and fattening period. In the experiment, from two to eight months of age, males and females were divided into two groups: one group was fed ad libitum throughout the experiment, and the second group was restricted to two weeks (from 11 to 12 weeks of age). The restricted nutrias received 75% ad libitum feeding. The significant interaction among feed restriction, sex and age was revealed only in the cross-sectional area of all muscle fiber types. Age was the main factor affecting carcass composition and meat quality characteristics. Sex-related differences in carcass composition and some sensory attributes and feed restriction-related differences in carcass composition were observed.

Combined Effect of Genotype, Housing System, and Calcium on Performance and Eggshell Quality of Laying Hens.

The objective of this study was to evaluate hen performance and eggshell quality response to genotype, housing system, and feed calcium (Ca) level. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted on 360 laying hens of ISA Brown, Bovans Brown (commercial hybrids), and Moravia BSL (traditional Czech hybrid). Laying hens were kept in enriched cages and on littered floor and fed similar feed mixtures with different Ca content (3.00% vs. 3.50%). In terms of hen performance, ISA Brown had the highest egg production (84.2%) compared to Moravia BSL (74.3%) and Bovans Brown (71.4%). Regarding eggshell quality, Bovans Brown showed the highest values of all eggshell quality parameters. Increasing feed Ca level augmented egg production (p ≤ 0.001) but had no effect on other performance parameters. Except eggshell thickness, all eggshell quality parameters were affected by the three-way interaction of genotype, housing, and Ca. Bovans Brown, which had the strongest eggshells (5089 g/cm2) when housed on a littered floor system and fed 3.00% Ca, while Moravia BSL housed on a littered floor had the weakest eggshells (4236 g/cm2) at 3.50% Ca. The study pointed out the importance of the interactions between studied factors on performance and eggshell quality compared to an individual factor effect.

Atherosclerosis and beta-blockade: A forgotten option?

Beta-blockers have been ranked fourth in management recommendations for arterial hypertension in the management of arterial hypertension. This “retreat” is justified by the results of studies comparing different antihypertensive strategies that documented a lesser benefit of the beta-blockers tested compared to control therapies. Obviously, even within the beta-adrenergic receptor blocking group, there are important differences between agents. Properties such as selectivity to receptors and their subtypes, hydrophilicity and resp. lipophilicity, control of blood pressure, influence of intermediate metabolism or directly influence on vascular reactivity determine the resulting potential benefit associated with therapy. The results of clinical trials are also influenced by the test population and concomitant medications. There are a number of studies documenting the benefit of beta-blockers in patients with a history of atherothrombotic events or in the context of heart failure. In the context of the treatment of (yet) uncomplicated hypertension, we are interested not only in the main effects - lowering blood pressure, but also in other potentially effects significant for the resulting effect and influencing the prognosis (favorable or undesirable). In the case of beta-blockers, the effect on atherosclerosis development, lipidogram, vascular wall quality, anti-inflammatory effects, etc. In beta-blockers, several studies have suggested that their metabolic side-effect profile is so unfavorable that they need insulin resistance in patients with dyslipidemia, diabetes or obesity always avoid. This article returns to the question of the metabolic properties of beta-blockers and their possible direct antiatherogenic action and thus the site that this drug class should have in the field of cardiovascular prevention.

Importance of fixed-dose combinations in cardiovascular prevention: the possibility of treating two diagnoses with a single pill.

In the care of a cardiovascular risk patient there is certainly a more frequent situation in which we try to influence several risk factors at the same time. Treatment of a single self-occurring risk factor is rather an exception. In most cases, we need to intervene with more risk factors, often involving combination therapy, which can achieve the desired goals more quickly and reliably. However, with the number of tablets taken by the patient, the patients willingness to take long-term and correct use decreases, which has a significant impact on the effectiveness of therapy and the development of individual cardiovascular risk. In an effort to control all risk factors for cardiovascular disease, there is a growing need to extend the availability of fixed drug formulations to suit the patients ease of use and suitably formulated with varying dose grades to meet the needs of our attending physicians. With regard to the fact that early intervention of risk factors brings greater benefits than deferred, we are looking for appropriate ways to manage it. The current intervention of arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia with safe and proven drugs seems to be one of the ways to further improve the results of the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The new fixed combination of atorvastatin with perindopril, which is entering the Czech market right now, appears to be in many ways an ideal “tablet for cardiovascular prevention”.

Concentration of egg white antimicrobial and immunomodulatory proteins is related to eggshell pigmentation across traditional chicken breeds.

Eggshell colour, quality, and biosafety of table eggs are of significant commercial interest. To date, there have been few studies investigating the relationship between eggshell pigmentation and internal egg quality in commercially bred birds. Moreover, the genetic basis and mechanisms behind the effects of extrinsic factors on deposition of antimicrobial compounds in egg white and eggshell pigments are not fully understood. In the present study, we evaluate the effect of chicken breed identity, eggshell pigmentation and the role of extrinsic factors (year and breeder identity) on variability in the concentrations of 2 major egg white antimicrobial proteins (AMPs), lysozyme (LSM), and ovotransferrin (OVOTR), across 23 traditional chicken breeds. We found that chicken breed identity and eggshell pigmentation explained most variability in the concentration of egg white LSM and OVOTR. Year and breeder identity were also significant predictors of egg white LSM and OVOTR variability, and showed selective effects on the deposition of both AMPs in egg white. We also documented a positive correlation between concentration of egg white LSM and eggshell cuticle protoporphyrin in tinted and dark brown eggs, but not in brown, white, and blue eggs. We assume that a combination of both intrinsic genetic and hormonally regulated extrinsic factors is responsible for this relationship and for the variability in egg white AMPs. In this study, we demonstrate the existence of a relationship between eggshell pigmentation and egg white AMPs content in the eggs of traditional chicken breeds that may advertise the egg's antimicrobial potential and biosafety. These findings provide novel insights into the relationship between eggshell pigmentation and egg internal quality and may stimulate the recovery and exploitation of traditional chicken breeds for egg production, where the demands for egg quality and biosafety, in conjunction with animal welfare, are a priority.

Fatty acid composition of goose meat depending on genotype and sex.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare male and female geese of two contrasting genotypes in terms of fatty acid composition, indexes related to human health, lipid metabolism and oxidative stability of the meat. METHODS: The experiment was carried out on total of 120 geese of two different genotypes; the native breed Czech goose (CG) and commercial hybrid Novohradska goose (NG). One-d-old goslings were divided into 4 groups according to genotype and sex, and 8 birds from each group were slaughtered at 8 weeks of age. RESULTS: The effects of the interactions between genotype and sex were observed on growth performance and carcass traits. Final body weight (p<0.001), daily weight gain (p<0.001), daily feed intake (p<0.001), slaughter weight (p<0.001), and cold carcass weight (p<0.001) were highest in NG males and lowest in CG females. The meat fatty acid composition results showed effects of both genotype and sex on the total n-6 and the total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content, as well as the PUFA n-6/PUFA n-3 ratio. Regarding genotype, the total n-6, the total PUFA content and the PUFA n-6/PUFA n-3 ratio were higher in CG, and higher values were found in females. In terms of the lipid metabolism, Δ5-Δ6 desaturase (p = 0.006) was higher in males. The meat oxidative stability results revealed an interaction between genotype, sex and storage time (p<0.001). The highest (13.85 mg/kg) malondialdehyde content was measured in the meat of CG females after 5 days of storage and was presumably related to a higher PUFA content. CONCLUSION: NG had a relatively higher growth rate and meat oxidative stability, whereas the advantage of CG meat is its favourable fatty acid profile characterized by a higher PUFA content.

Body Adiposity Changes After Lifestyle Interventions in Children/Adolescents and the NYD-SP18 and TMEM18 Variants.

BACKGROUND This study was carried out to determine the relationship between the common TMEM-18 (rs4854344, G>T) and NYD-SP18 (rs6971091, G>A) gene variants and weight loss after lifestyle interventions (increased physical activity in conjunction with optimal dietary intake) in overweight/obese children/adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS We genotyped 684 unrelated, white, non-diabetic children (age 12.7±2.1 years, average BMI at baseline 30.66±4.80 kg/m²). Anthropometric and biochemical examinations were performed before and after 4 weeks of an intensive lifestyle intervention. RESULTS The mean weight loss achieved was 5.20±2.02 kg (P<0.001). NYDSP-18 AA homozygotes had significantly higher abdominal skinfold value before and after the intervention (both, P=0.001). No significant associations between BMI decrease and the NYD-SP18 and TMEM18 variants were found. Associations between all anthropometrical and biochemical changes and genes remained non-significant after data were adjusted for sex, age, and baseline values. CONCLUSIONS Decreased body weight in overweight/obese children is not significantly influenced by the NYD-SP18 rs6971091 or TMEM18 rs4854344 polymorphisms.

The effect of age, genotype and sex on carcass traits, meat quality and sensory attributes of geese.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare carcass traits, meat quality and sensory attributes in two different genotypes of geese according to age and sex. METHODS: The experiment was carried out on 160 birds of two genotypes of geese: the Czech Goose (CG) breed and a Eskildsen Schwer (ES) hybrid. One-d-old goslings were divided into four groups according to genotype and sex. Two dates for slaughtering (at 8 and 16 wk of age of goslings) were undertaken. RESULTS: The slaughter weight, cold carcass weight and dressing percentage were affected by all the studied factors, and significant interactions between age, genotype and sex were detected in the slaughter weight (p<0.001) and cold carcass weight (p = 0.004). The pH was not affected by any of studied factors, whereas in terms of meat colour parameters there were observed significant effects of age on L* and b* value and a significant effect of sex on a* value. The meat fat content was higher (p = 0.002) in ES. Higher score for overall acceptance of goose meat was recorded for ES at both ages compared to CG. CONCLUSION: ES had higher dressing percentage and better sensory attributes, whereas CG exceled in the favourable nutritional value of the meat.

Age-related changes in the carcass yield and meat quality of male and female nutrias (Myocastor coypus) under intensive production system.

The age at which final nutria weight is achieved varies in literature between six and 14months. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth, carcass composition and meat quality of male and female nutrias between the ages of six and eight months in intensive production system. Sexual dimorphism in growth was observed from three months of age, and in females, growth considerably decreased after six months of age. The dressing-out percentage and the meat color were not affected by the age or sex of nutrias. Dry matter, ether extract and energetic values were significantly higher in females and in older nutrias. The decreasing frequency of type IIA fibers in older nutrias was presumably associated with a conversion of type IIA fibers to type IIB fibers. Nutrias under intensive production system can be slaughtered at six months of age when they reach a high carcass yield and meat quality.

[Cholesterol metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes]. / Metabolizmus cholesterolu u pacientu s diabetes mellitus 2. typu.

Diabetic dyslipidemia is a complex disorder associated with changes in lipid metabolism, which must be considered during care of the diabetic patient. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disease associated with a number of macrovascular and microvascular complications and it is necessary to treat the patient with regard to the possibility of developing these disorders. Prevention of cardiovascular complications is one of the most important factors of diabetes care, because cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus. The risk of developing atherosclerotic changes is significantly higher in diabetics in comparison with people without diabetes, which is mostly due to the differences in the plasma lipid metabolism and development of typical diabetic dyslipidemia with high atherogenic potential. Treatment of diabetic dyslipidemia as well as prevention of cardiovascular events is based on adherence to lifestyle changes, that have a positive effect on diabetes itself, and a suitable pharmacotherapy selected to achieve target plasma lipoprotein levels while affecting their quality.

Relationships between variable time, percentage of food restriction and liver histology: which alternative is the best for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevention?

The objective of this study was to analyse the hepatic effects of food restriction in an experimental rabbit model. The study comprised 105 rabbits divided into 6 groups. The two control groups were fed ad libitum (ADL) during the entire experiment (C1 and C2). The experimental groups were restricted between 42-49 days of age, where the rabbits received 50g (R1) or 65g (R2) of food per rabbit per day. Others were restricted between 35-42 days of age, where the rabbits received 50g (R3) or 65g (R4) of food per rabbit per day. For liver analysis, 5 rabbits per group were slaughtered at the ages of 49, 56, 63, 70 days from the R1, R2 groups and at 42, 49, 70 days from the R3, R4 groups. All animals from the C1 and C2 groups developed steatosis with inflammation. Animals from the R1 and R2 groups developed steatosis without inflammation while in the R3 and R4 groups steatosis was not visible. In C1 and C2 groups we observed mostly fatty deposit accumulations while in the R1, R2, R3 and R4 groups, more PAS-positive material accumulations were visible. Liver steatosis correlated with inflammation development and interstitial tissue growth. These results can be used in clinical praxis as signs of NAFLD progression. Early food restriction had intense effects on liver morphology and it seems promising that similar approaches could be applied as preventive treatment for NAFLD development.

Histological aspects of the small intestine under variable feed restriction: The effects of short and intense restriction on a growing rabbit model.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of seven days of feed restriction (between days 42 and 49) on the morphology of the small intestine in experimental rabbit models. Sixty weaned Hyplus rabbits (35 days old) were included in the experiment and split into three groups of 20 rabbits. The first control group (n=20) received feed ad libitum (ADL group), the second (R1) experimental group (n=20) was fed 50 g feed per rabbit per day and the third (R2) experimental group (n=20) received 65 g feed per rabbit per day. Duodenal samples were collected when the rabbits were aged 49, 56, 63 and 70 days. The mean villus height, crypt depth and small intestine length were measured. Significant interactions (P<0.001) between group and age were identified in the villi height and crypt depths. The maximum mean villus height was found in the R2 group in 56-day-old rabbits (643.14 µm), while the minimum was found in the ADL group in 49-day-old rabbits (460.29 µm). The longest (P<0.001) small intestine was measured in the R1 group in 63-day-old rabbits (347.60 cm), while the shortest was measured in the ADL group in 49-day-old rabbits (263.60 cm). The models show that villus height, crypt depth and the length of the small intestine change with the intensity of feed restriction and age.

Histopathological aspects of liver under variable food restriction: has the intense one-week food restriction a protective effect on non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease (NAFLD) development?

Non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease (NAFLD) is a clinicopathologic entity characterized by a variety of hepatic injury patterns without significant alcohol use. It has a close association with obesity, so treatment includes weight loss, control of insulin sensitivity, interventions directed at inflammation and fibrosis. There is a certain relationship between the grade and duration of food restriction and hepatic function. The objective of this work was to describe the relationship between biochemistry, autoantibodies, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), and liver morphology in experimental rabbit groups with food restriction as compared to controls with ad libitum food (ADL) income. The experiment was performed on a total of 24 rabbits of a weaning age of 25-81 days. The first group (R1) was restricted between 32 and 39 days of age to 50 g of food per rabbit a day. The second group (R2) was also restricted between 32 and 39 days, but the rabbits received 65 g of food per rabbit a day. At the end of the experiment, the blood and liver samples were collected at necropsy. NAFLD has developed in all three groups. There was any autoantibody positivity in all three groups. IGF-I is moderately higher in R1 and R2 group, as compared to the control group (P > 0.05). IGFBP-3 is without statistical significance in all three groups. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is the only liver biochemical parameter that has significantly increased following food restriction (P > 0.039). Single one-week restriction has any protective effect on NAFLD development.

The impact of rapid weight loss on oxidative stress markers and the expression of the metabolic syndrome in obese individuals.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is linked with a state of increased oxidative stress, which plays an important role in the etiology of atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of rapid weight loss on oxidative stress markers in obese individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). DESIGN AND METHODS: We measured oxidative stress markers in 40 obese subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS+), 40 obese subjects without metabolic syndrome (MetS-), and 20 lean controls (LC) at baseline and after three months of very low caloric diet. RESULTS: Oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) levels decreased by 12% in MetS+ subjects, associated with a reduction in total cholesterol (TC), even after adjustment for age and sex. Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity decreased by 4.7% in MetS+ subjects, associated with a drop in LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), TC, and insulin levels. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a model including ox-LDL, LpPLA2 activity, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) improved prediction of MetS status among obese individuals compared to each oxidative stress marker alone. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress markers were predictive of MetS in obese subjects, suggesting a higher oxidative stress. Rapid weight loss resulted in a decline in oxidative stress markers, especially in MetS+ patients.

Experimental study of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on a model of starving chickens: is generalization of steatosis accompanied by fibrosis of the liver tissue?

The objective of this work was to study the mechanism of liver parenchyma development under the influence of restriction of diet. Useful information is presented about the pathologic features associated with diet restriction in a chicken animal model of NAFLD. There were 96 chickens of two genotypes, Ross 308 and Cobb 500, in the experiment. The control group was fed a standard mixture ad libitum (ADL). The first experimental group, under restriction from the age of 2 weeks, was fed 80% ADL. The second experimental group was fed 65% ADL from the age of 2 weeks. There were 16 animals in each group. The experiment lasted 5 weeks. Liver parenchyma samples were obtained at the age of 35 days by the necropsy method and then processed by standard histologic methods. The slices were stained by standard staining: hematoxylin-eosin and by Sirius red kit for collagen type I and reticulin visualization. Hepatocyte diameter and the proportion of interstitial tissue to the parenchyma of the liver were measured objectively. Microvesicular liver steatosis was observed after 35 days of restriction. Hepatocyte diameter was significantly influenced by sex, genotype, and the experimental group. The proportion of interstitial tissue to the liver parenchyma was highly influenced by genotype and group, but there were no interactions. An increase in the steatosis histologic grade is associated with inflammatory changes, with decrease of hepatocyte diameter and with a decreasing proportion of interstitial tissue to the liver parenchyma. The results show that early restriction is not associated with the development of fibrosis of the liver tissue.