[The role of resveratrol in the regulation of cell metabolism--a review]. / Rola resweratrolu w regulacji metabolizmu komórkowego.

Moderate wine drinking is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular disease, and reduced risk of cancer. This phenomenon is called the "French paradox", since it was observed for the first time in France--a country famous for its wine production. In the literature, the cardioprotective effect of wine is very well described and attributed mainly to contained therein resveratrol. Recently, it has been demonstrated that resveratrol extends the lifespan of yeast through activation of the SirT1 longevity gene, which is also responsible for the longevity caused by caloric restriction. Furthermore, resveratrol exhibits high biological activity, affecting cell structures and contributing to their protection. This paper summarizes the available reports on functional and molecular aspects of resveratrol, wines and grapes as a result of the activation of longevity genes.

Determining the Effect of Pancreatic-like Enzymes (PLEMs) Added to the Feed of Pregnant Sows on Fetal Size of Piglets to Minimize IUGR Syndrome Caused by Fetal Malnutrition.

The present study aimed to develop a feeding strategy for pregnant sows that involved the prenatal administration of a mixture of pancreatic-like fungal enzymes, such as lipase, amylase, and protease, at (1) 1-115 days of gestation (group D1) and (2) 80-115 days of gestation (group D2) and to carry out a comparison with groups of sows that were not receiving such supplementation (negative control (NC) and positive control (PC)). It was found that the administration of the enzyme supplement resulted in a significant shortening of gestation (p ≤ 0.01). The pancreatic enzymes administered to sows had a significant effect on the number of liveborn piglets and weaned piglets, which was higher compared with the control groups that did not receive supplementation: D1-12.1 ± 1.1 and 11.12 ± 1.1 and D2-12.8 ± 1.3 and 11.75 ± 0.07 vs. the control groups KN-10.7 ± 1.0 and 9.62 ± 0.95 and KP-10.9 ± 1.2 and 10.15 ± 1.0 (p < 0.006), respectively. Significant changes in piglet growth were observed after weaning up to 70 days of age. During this period, the most favorable growth parameters were observed in groups D2 (420 ± 91 g) and PC (407 ± 103 g), in which piglets obtained a mixture of pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase, and protease) at 3 weeks of age, and significantly higher weight gain and feed intake were observed compared with groups NC (378 ± 114 g) and D1 (381 ± 96 g) (p ≤ 0.007). In contrast, insulin levels were significantly lower in groups D1 and D2, with values of 6.8 IU/mL and 6.7 IU/mL, respectively, compared with groups NC (14.6 IU/mL) and PC (16.6 IU/mL) (p ≤ 0.01). Piglets in group D2 had a significantly better feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.604 ± 0.10 compared with the other dietary groups: KN-1.986 ± 0.14; KP-1.704 ± 0.11; and D1-1.932 ± 0.15 (p ≤ 0.03). Histological imaging confirmed a significantly thicker intestinal epithelium and intestinal mesenteron in animals from groups D2 and PC (p ≤ 0.03). Animals from the groups KP, D1, and D2 receiving enzymes showed a highly significant increase in the surface area of pancreatic follicles and pancreatic surface area compared with the group without KN supplementation (p < 0.01). Furthermore, significantly higher activity of the brush border enzyme lactase was observed in groups D1, D2, and PC, with values of 32.90 ± 3.99, 30.00 ± 6.83, and 29.60 ± 29.60, respectively, compared with group NC, with a value of 21.80 ± 3.27 (p ≤ 0.01).

The Frequency of Errors in Determining Age Based on Selected Features of the Incisors of Icelandic Horses.

The structure and changes occurring to horses' teeth during ontogeny are not only used to assess the degree of somatic maturity but also the development of universal patterns and is therefore used to determine the age of horses. Research shows that methods of assessing the age of horses based on the appearance of teeth tend to suffer from relatively large errors. This is probably influenced by the results of intensive selection and being kept in living conditions that differ substantially from their natural environment. This study aimed to assess the suitability of selected features of the incisors to determine the age of Icelandic horses. One hundred and twenty-six Icelandic horses (78 mares and 48 stallions) of different ages (range: 0-24 years; groups: 0-2 years, >2-5 years, >5-11 years, and >11 years) were examined by an experienced horse person who was blinded to the actual age of the horse and did not know which age group horses were in. Age was determined by the inspection of each horse's teeth and was compared to the actual age of the horse recorded in the breeding documentation, and the percentage of mistakes made regarding the age group was calculated. The estimated age did not match the real age in 36.5% of the horses. The age was more often underestimated (19.0%) by, on average, 0.9 ± 1.0 years than overestimated (17.5%) by, on average, 1.3 ± 1.4 years. Within age groups, the least number of errors in determining age were made in young horses aged 0-2 years, when the eruption and growing of the deciduous incisors and the disappearance of the cups was considered. The average percentage of errors in this group (2.1%) was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than for older horses, whose age was estimated based on the exchange of deciduous to permanent teeth (55.8%), disappearance of the cups (68.0%), and shape changes on the grinding surface (40.0%). Significantly more frequent underestimation of age based on replacing deciduous for permanent incisors and significantly more frequent overestimation of age on the basis of the disappearance of the cup may indicate that Icelandic horses up to 5 years of age are characterized by a slower rate of growth than horses of other breeds, especially warmblood horses. These results suggest that patterns used to determine the real age of horses based on changes occurring on the incisors should be modified in order to consider the specificity of the course of growth and maturation processes of horses of various types and breeds.

The Membrane Interactions of Nano-Silica and Its Potential Application in Animal Nutrition.

Nanoparticles are increasingly popular in numerous fields including electronics, optics and medicine (vaccines, tissue engineering, microsurgery, genomics and cancer therapies). The most widely used nanoparticles in biomedical applications are those designed by man. Scientists have obtained many types of silica nanoparticles with defined shape and chemical composition, but different properties and applications. Nanoparticles include particles with at least one dimension ranging from 1-100 nm. Silica nanoparticles (Sn), reaching values from several dozen to several hundred m2/g, have unique physicochemical properties due to their porous structure and well-developed specific surface. Currently, the use of Sn in animal nutrition, with a focus on gastrointestinal tract function, is of great interest.

The effect of dietary supplementation with dried fruit and vegetable pomaces on production parameters and meat quality in fattening pigs.

The presence of biologically active substances in feed mixture is discussed to have beneficial effect on animals' health and products. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with dried apple, chokeberry, black currant, strawberry and carrot pomaces on production parameters and meat quality in fattening pigs. The use of dried pomaces of chokeberry showed tendencies for increased feed intake and reduced fattening period. The dried pomaces had no impact on saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids profile in meat, however in some groups an elevated level of polyunsaturated fatty acids from n-3 family and a decline in total cholesterol level was observed (P≤0.05). The highest oxidative stability and vitamin E content was found after supplementation with black currant (P≤0.05). Summarizing, the used dried pomaces improved several parameters related to meat quality, what might positively influence consumers' health.