Decreased insulin resistance in diabetic patients by influencing Sirtuin1 and Fetuin-A following supplementation with ellagic acid: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of polyphenols have been reported. This study aimed to investigate the effect of oral Ellagic acid (EA) supplement on insulin resistance (IR) and Fetuin-A and serum sirtuin1 (SIRT1) in type 2 diabetics. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 44 diabetic patients were selected. Patients were assigned to the intervention group (22 subjects) and placebo (22 subjects) and received a capsule containing 180 mg of EA per day or placebo for eight weeks, respectively. At the beginning and end of the study, anthropometric indices, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), plasma insulin level, IR, Fetuin-A, and SIRT1 were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: At the beginning and end of the study, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding anthropometric indices (P > 0.05). At the end of the survey, EA supplementation significantly reduced FPG, insulin, IR, and Fetuin-A and increased SIRT1 levels compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05). However, these changes were not significant in the placebo group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA with antioxidant properties plays an essential role in reducing the macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes by reducing inflammation and insulin resistance. Trial registration The protocol of this clinical trial is registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( http://www.IRCT.IR , identifier: IRCT20141025019669N13).

Effect of extrusion of soybean meal on feed spectroscopic molecular structures and on performance, blood metabolites and nutrient digestibility of Holstein dairy calves.

OBJECTIVE: Performance and physiological responses of dairy calves may change by using extruded soybean meal (ESBM) instead of common soybean meal (SBM) in starter feed. The aims of the current study were i) to determine the effect of extrusion processing of SBM on protein electrophoretic size, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) structures and Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) protein subfractions and ii) to determine the effect of substitution of SBM with ESBM in starter feed of Holstein heifer calves during pre and post-weaning on performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood metabolites. METHODS: The SBM was substituted with ESBM at the level of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (dry matter [DM] basis). Fifty heifer calves (initial body weight 40.3±0.63 kg) were used for the study. After birth, animals were fed colostrum for 3 days and then they were fed whole milk until weaning. Animals had free access to starter feed and water during the study. RESULTS: Extrusion of SBM decreased electrophoretic protein size and increased rapidly degradable true protein fraction, changed FTIR protein and amide II region. With increasing level of ESBM in the diet, starter intake increased quadratically during the pre-weaning period (p<0.05) and body weight, DM intake and average daily gain increased linearly during the post-weaning and the whole study period (p<0.05). Tbe DM and crude protein digestibilities at week 14 and blood glucose and beta hydroxybutyric acid increased linearly in calves as the level of ESBM increased in the diet (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Dairy calves performance and physiological responses were sensitive to SBM protein characteristics including electrophoretic size, FTIR structures and CNCPS protein fractions.

Feeding di-ammonium phosphate as a phosphorous source in finishing lambs reduced excretion of phosphorus in feces without detrimental effects on animal performance.

OBJECTIVE: Phosphorous (P) sources with greater bioavailability might increase animal production efficiency and decrease environmental pollution. The objective of current study was to determine animal performance, nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites and fecal P concentration in finishing lambs fed a diet with either di-calcium phosphate (DCP) or di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) as a P source. METHODS: Twelve 4-month-old male lambs (initial body weight 24.87±3.4 kg) were randomly allocated to a diet with either DCP or DAP (~261 g/kg of total diet P) fed ad libitum for 93 days. Diets were iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic and had same calcium (Ca) and P concentrations. RESULTS: The DAP contained 19.7 g/kg of dry matter (DM) Ca, 185.4 g/kg DM P and 14,623 ppm fluorine, while DCP contained 230.3 g/kg DM Ca, 195.2 g/kg DM P and 1,039 ppm fluorine. The diet with DAP contained 60 ppm fluorine while the diet with DCP contained 13 ppm fluorine. Lambs fed the diet with DAP tended to have a greater daily DM intake compared to those fed diet with DCP (p = 0.09). Lambs fed DAP had greater plasma P concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity (p≤0.01) compared with lambs fed DCP. Dry matter and organic matter digestibility of the diets were similar between two treatments at days 60 and 90, while they were greater in lambs fed DCP (p<0.05) at day 30 of the trial. Feeding DAP increased P digestibility (58.7% vs 50.2%; p<0.05) and decreased fecal P concentration in lambs compared with feeding DCP (3.1 vs 3.8 g/kg DM; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Providing ~261 g/kg of total diet P as DAP in the diet of finishing lambs improved the bioavailability of P in the body and decreased excretion of P in feces without affecting lamb performance.

Inoculation and co-inoculation of alfalfa seedlings with root growth promoting microorganisms (Piriformospora indica, Glomus intraradices and Sinorhizobium meliloti) affect molecular structures, nutrient profiles and availability of hay for ruminants.

Inoculation of alfalfa seedlings with root growth promoting microorganisms under semi-arid climate condition may improve biomass production and nutritive value. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of inoculation of alfalfa seedlings with Piriformospora indica (Pi) and co-inoculating Pi with Glomus intraradices (Gi + Pi) or Sinorhizobium meliloti (Sm + Pi) on hay yield, chemical composition, molecular structures by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, in situ ruminal degradability and in vitro gas production. Seedlings were grown in experimental pots in a greenhouse until first cut and then transferred outside and cut a further 4 times. Biomass yield was similar across the treatments. Acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentration was higher in Pi than in control hay, and ADF decreased further with co-inoculation (P < 0.05). The ether extract (EE) concentration was lower for Pi and Gi + Pi compared with control hay, and control, Pi and Gi + Pi hays had lower EE concentration compared with Sm + Pi (P < 0.05). The FTIR spectroscopic vibration peak height ratio related to proteins (amide 1 + amide 2): total carbohydrate ratio was lower for the inoculation treatments compared with control hay (P < 0.05). In situ ruminal degradability of dry matter and organic matter were higher for hay of inoculated and co-inoculated seedlings than for control hay (P < 0.05). In conclusion, hay of alfalfa seedlings inoculated and co-inoculated with root growth promoting microorganisms had improved nutritional value compared with hay from non-treated alfalfa seedlings, and co-inoculation was the most effective, however, changes were relatively minor.

Carbohydrate and lipid spectroscopic molecular structures of different alfalfa hay and their relationship with nutrient availability in ruminants.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine molecular structures related to carbohydrates and lipid in alfalfa hay cut at early bud, late bud and early flower and in the afternoon and next morning using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT/IR) and to determine their relationship with alfalfa hay nutrient profile and availability in ruminants. METHODS: Chemical composition analysis, carbohydrate fractionation, in situ ruminal degradability, and DVE/OEB model were used to measure nutrient profile and availability of alfalfa hay. Univariate analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis (CLA) and principal components analysis (PCA) were conducted to identify FT/IR spectra differences. RESULTS: The FT/IR non-structural carbohydrate (NSCHO) to total carbohydrates and NSCHO to structural carbohydrate ratios decreased (p<0.05), while lignin to NSCHO and lipid CH3 symmetric to CH2 symmetric ratios increased with advancing maturity (p<0.05). The FT/IR spectra related to structural carbohydrates, lignin and lipids were distinguished for alfalfa hay at three maturities by PCA and CLA, while FT/IR molecular structures related to carbohydrates and lipids were similar between alfalfa hay cut in the morning and afternoon when analyzed by PCA and CLA analysis. Positive correlations were found for FT/IR NSCHO to total carbohydrate and NSCHO to structural carbohydrate ratios with non-fiber carbohydrate (by wet chemistry), ruminal fast and intermediately degradable carbohydrate fractions and total ruminal degradability of carbohydrates and predicted intestinal nutrient availability in dairy cows (r≥0.60; p<0.05) whereas FT/IR lignin to NSCHO and CH3 to CH2 symmetric stretching ratio had negative correlation with predicted ruminal and intestinal nutrient availability of alfalfa hay in dairy cows (r≥-0.60; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: FT/IR carbohydrate and lipid molecular structures in alfalfa hay changed with advancing maturity from early bud to early flower, but not during the day, and these molecular structures correlated with predicted nutrient supply of alfalfa hay in ruminants.

Evaluation of the feed value for ruminants of blends of corn and wheat distillers dried grains.

Recently, biofuel processing has produced a large amount of biofuel coproducts. However, to date, there is little information on the metabolic characteristics of proteins and energy in biofuel coproduct-based rations. The objective of this study was to study the metabolic characteristics of proteins and energy in biofuel coproduct-based rations in terms of (1) chemical and nutrient profiles, (2) protein and carbohydrate subfraction associated with various degradation rate, (3) rumen and intestinal degradation and digestion kinetics, and (4) metabolic characteristics of proteins. Two sources of grain corn were mixed with two sources of biofuel coproducts (wheat-based dried distillers grains with solubles, wDDGS) in ratios of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75%. The study revealed that increasing the biofuel coproduct inclusion level increased most of the nutritional components linearly (P < 0.05) except starch, which linearly decreased. With increasing biofuel coproduct inclusion level, the rumen degradation rate and the effective degradability of organic matter were not affected (P > 0.05), but the effective degradability of starch was decreased (P < 0.05). Effective degradation of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber as well as predicted truly absorbed protein supply in the small intestine and degraded protein balance were increased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of the biofuel coproduct up to 25-50% in rations improved potential nitrogen and energy synchronization for microbial growth and improved truly absorbable protein supply to the small intestine, without altering energy value.

Protein molecular structures in alfalfa hay cut at three stages of maturity and in the afternoon and morning and relationship with nutrient availability in ruminants.

BACKGROUND: Molecular structures in feed protein influence its digestive behavior, availability and utilization. From a nutritive point of view, stage of maturity and cutting time are important factors affecting nutrient profiles and availability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hay in ruminants. The objectives of this study were to determine protein molecular structures by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and their relationship with nutrient profiles and availability in ruminants of alfalfa hay cut at early bud, late bud and early flower stages and in afternoon and morning. RESULTS: With advancing maturity, molecular structure ratios of α-helix:ß-sheets decreased, while amide I:amide II increased (P ≤ 0.05). Alfalfa cutting in afternoon versus morning increased protein structure α-helix:ß-sheets and α-helix:others ratios (P < 0.05) and tended to decrease the proportion of ß-sheets (P = 0.09). Positive correlations were found for α-helix:ß-sheet ratio (R ≥ 0.60; P < 0.05) with intermediately degradable protein (PB2) and ruminal degradability and intestinal protein supply, and all these parameters correlated negatively with amide I:amide II ratio (R ≤ -0.62; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Protein molecular structures in alfalfa hay changed with advancing maturity and during the day and these protein structures affected predicted nutrient availability of alfalfa hay in ruminants.

Effect of wheat-based dried distillers' grains with solubles inclusion on barley-based feed chemical profile, energy values, rumen degradation kinetics, and protein supply.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of replacing the barley grain portion of the diet by wheat-based dried distillers' grains with solubles (wDDGS) at graded levels on feeding value for beef cattle. Two cultivars of barley were mixed with two sources of wDDGS in ratios of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75% (weight DM basis; denoted B0, B25, B50, and B75, respectively). This study revealed that increasing wDDGS inclusion level increased most of the nutritional composition linearly except for starch, which linearly decreased (from 609 to 320 g/kg of DM). Soluble, slowly degradable, and undegradable Cornel Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) protein and carbohydrate fractions linearly increased with increasing wDDGS inclusion level, whereas their rapidly and intermediately degradable fractions decreased. With increasing wDDGS inclusion, the rumen degradation rate of all measured parameters decreased linearly, the extent of degradability of organic matter was not affected, and the extent of CP degradability (g/kg DM) as well as the predicted protein supply in the small intestine and degraded protein balance in the rumen was increased. The inclusion of wDDGS in barley-based diets up to 50% did not alter energy values of the diet. Furthermore, optimum N to energy balance of the feed mixture for microbial growth in the rumen was reached by replacing 25% of barley by wDDGS. Thus, the nutritive value of the barley-based diets is manipulated by including wDDGS, which can be used to overcome the shortcomings of barley-dominated diets for beef cattle.