Effects of Different Dietary Selenium Sources on the Meat Quality and Antioxidant Capacity of Yellow Catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco).

To assess the effect of dietary selenium (Se) sources on the meat quality and antioxidant capacity of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco), sodium selenite (Na2SeO3), Se yeast, and selenium-enriched Spirulina platensis (Se-SP) were supplemented in the control diet at 0.30 mg Se/kg feed to formulate four diets. The experimental period lasted 50 days. The results showed that Se levels in the plasma, liver, muscle, and whole body were significantly increased by dietary Se yeast supplementation (P < 0.05) but showed no change in response to Na2SeO3 (P > 0.05). The three types of Se all increased the firmness and decreased the fracturability of the muscles (P < 0.05), but only Na2SeO3 resulted in higher springiness, flexibility, stringiness, and stickiness (P < 0.05). In addition, the muscle n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content was increased by Se yeast (P < 0.05). Regarding antioxidant capacity, dietary Se yeast and Se-SP supplementation improved hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity but decreased hepatic malondialdehyde content (P < 0.05). Given these results, Se yeast was found to be the optimal source of Se for yellow catfish for higher tissue retention, antioxidant capacity, and PUFA levels. Dietary Se is an effective way to regulate the meat quality and antioxidant capacity of yellow catfish.

Dietary yeast glycoprotein supplementation improves the growth performance, intestinal health and disease resistance of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fed low-fishmeal diets.

The active ingredients extracted from yeast are important for regulating animal health. The aim of the current research was to explore the impacts of dietary yeast glycoprotein (YG) on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity, immunity and disease resistance of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). A total of 375 juvenile fish (6.00 ± 0.03 g) were allocated into 15 fiberglass tanks. Triplicate tanks were assigned to each diet. The dietary YG inclusion was as follows: the first group was given a high fishmeal diet (40% fishmeal, 0% YG) (FM) and the second group was given a low fishmeal diet (30% fishmeal and 15% soybean meal, 0% YG) (LFM). The fish in the third, fourth and fifth groups were fed the LFM diet supplemented with 0.5% (LFM+YG0.5), 1.0% (LFM+YG1.0) and 2.0% (LFM+YG2.0) YG, respectively. After a 60- day feeding trial, a challenge test using A. hydrophila was carried out. The results showed that the final body weight (FBW) and weight gain rate (WGR) in the LFM+YG2.0 group were significantly higher than those in the LFM group and were no significantly different from those in the FM group. This may be partially related to the activation of the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway. Dietary YG supplementation enhanced intestinal physical barriers by upregulating the intestinal tight junction protein related genes (claudin1, occludin and zo2) and improving the structural integrity of the gut, which may be partially associated with AMPK signaling pathway. Moreover, dietary YG increased the antioxidant capacity in the gut, upregulated intestinal anti-inflammatory factors (il-10, il1-1ß and tgf-ß) and downregulated proinflammatory factors (il-1ß and il-8), which may be partially related to the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathways. The results of the challenge test indicated that dietary supplementation with 0.5 or 1.0% YG can increase the disease tolerance of largemouth bass against A. hydrophila. In conclusion, the present results indicated that dietary supplementation with YG promotes the growth performance, intestinal immunity, physical barriers and antioxidant capacity of largemouth bass. In addition, 1.0% of dietary YG is recommended for largemouth bass based on the present results.

Effects of Curcumin on Oxidative Stress and Ferroptosis in Acute Ammonia Stress-Induced Liver Injury in Gibel Carp (Carassius gibelio).

This study investigated the potential role of curcumin (CUR) in preventing oxidative stress and ferroptosis induced by ammonia exposure in gibel carp. Experimental fish (initial weight: 11.22 ± 0.10 g, n = 150) were fed diets supplemented with or without 0.5% CUR for 56 days, followed by a 24 h ammonia (32.5 mg/L) exposure. Liver damages (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), adenosine deaminase (ADA), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) and oxidative stress enzyme activities (reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA); and the content of antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) were induced by ammonia stress. The antioxidant capacity was decreased, as indicated by inhibited gene expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (ho-1), catalase (cat), and sod. Ferroptosis was induced by ammonia stress, as suggested by upregulated mRNA levels of nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (ncoa4), transferrin receptor 1 (tfr1), and iron-responsive element-binding protein 2 (ireb2), and downregulated expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (gpx4), ferroportin (fpn), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (fth1). In addition, both mRNA and protein levels of ferroptosis markers acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) were upregulated, while cystine/glutamate antiporter (SLC7A11) was downregulated. However, liver injury and ferroptosis in fish induced by ammonia could be attenuated by CUR. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that CUR ameliorates oxidative stress and attenuates ammonia stress-induced ferroptosis. This study provides a new perspective on potential preventive strategies against ammonia stress in gibel carp by dietary CUR.

Taurine Alleviates Cadmium-Induced Toxicity via Genetically Specific Strategies in Two Strains of Gibel Carp (Carassius gibelio).

Our previous studies in gibel carp (Carassius gibelio) have shown that cadmium (Cd) exposure elicits deleterious effects depending on the genetic background, and thus we hypothesized that mitigation via nutritional intervention may vary between strains. Therefore, two gibel carp strains (the A and F strains) were fed diets supplemented with 0% or 1% taurine for 8 weeks prior to 96 h Cd exposure, and the responses of antioxidant pathways, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, autophagy, and apoptosis were investigated. The results showed that taurine supplementation had no effect on the growth performance of gibel carp. After Cd exposure, histological damage to mitochondria and ER, induction of oxidative stress and antioxidant responses, occurrence of ER stress, and apoptotic signals were observed in the livers. Upon the diet effects, taurine supplementation alleviated the ER-stress-induced autophagy and apoptosis after Cd exposure and stimulated antioxidant pathways. Regarding the difference between strains, taurine played a protective role in alleviating Cd toxicity through the antioxidant response, ER stress, and autophagy in the F strain, whereas such effects were achieved by the attenuation of apoptosis in the A strain. Taken together, our results demonstrate the potential use of taurine in the mitigation of heavy metal toxicity in aquatic organisms.

Vitamin C Attenuates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis Induced by Acute Hypoxia through the Nrf2/Keap1 Signaling Pathway in Gibel Carp (Carassius gibelio).

Previous studies have found that vitamin C (VC) has protective effects in fish. However, the efficacy of VC on hypoxia-induced liver injury in fish remains unknown. Therefore, to investigate the protective mechanism of VC on liver injury after acute hypoxic stimulation in fish, gibel carp were fed a diet containing VC for eight weeks, then were subjected to acute hypoxia stimulation. The specific growth rate of fish was increased by the supplementation of VC. Plasma stress markers (glucose, lactic acid, and cortisol) were decreased by the VC supplementation. Moreover, the levels of the inflammatory cytokines (tnf-α, il-2, il-6, and il-12) were increased by enhancing the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. Upregulation of the antioxidant enzymes activity (CAT, SOD, and GPx); T-AOC; and anti-inflammatory factors (il-4 and tgf-ß) highlighted the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of VC. The results showed that VC reduced the apoptotic index of the fish hypothalamus. The expression of GRP78 protein in the liver and endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis induced by hypoxia were inhibited by VC. Taken together, the results indicate that VC can attenuate oxidative damage, inflammation, and acute hypoxia induced apoptosis in gibel carp via the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. The results identify a new defense strategy of gibel carp in response to hypoxic conditions.

4-Octyl Itaconate Supplementation Relieves Soybean Diet-Induced Liver Inflammation and Glycolipid Metabolic Disorders by Activating the Nrf2-Pparγ Pathway in Juvenile Gibel Carp.

Itaconate is a promising new candidate for anti-inflammatory and metabolic reprogramming, and 4-octyl itaconate (OI) is a cell-permeable itaconate derivative. To investigate the effect of OI in inflammatory response and glycolipid metabolism, we fed gibel carp with a 40% dietary soybean meal diet containing 0.1% OI (SBM + 0.1OI) or not (SBM) and compared these with fishmeal (FM) as reference. Compared with FM, dietary SBM decreased the growth performance, induced inflammation in the intestine and liver, and decreased the glucose utilization ability of the liver. However, 0.1% OI supplementation in SBM significantly increased the growth performance (from 20.11 ± 0.77 to 23.33 ± 0.45 g, P < 0.05), reduced inflammation in different organs through Nrf2 activation, and alleviated SBM-induced high plasma glucose (from 6.06 ± 0.23 to 4.37 ± 0.14 g, P < 0.05) and low crude body lipid (from 4.08 ± 0.17 to 4.91 ± 0.10 g, P < 0.05). Multi-omics revealed that OI had obvious effects on carbohydrate metabolism. OI regulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (ppar-γ), and its target genes (glut2 and gk) enhance liver glycolysis and lipid de novo lipogenesis, which are also dependent on Nrf2 activation. To conclude, dietary 0.1% OI can promote the growth of gibel carp and alleviate foodborne intestinal and hepatic inflammation and abnormal glycolipid metabolism by Nrf2-regulated Pparγ expression.

Dietary Scenedesmus ovalternus improves disease resistance of overwintering gibel carp (Carassius gibelio) by alleviating toll-like receptor signaling activation.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary Scenedesmus ovalternus on the growth and disease resistance of gibel carp (Carassius gibelio) during overwintering. Gibel carp (initial body weight: 90.39 ± 0.33 g) were fed with diets containing 0% or 4% Scenedesmus ovalternus (DS0 and DS4) for 4 weeks during the early overwintering period, and then all fish were left unfed during the late overwintering period. A bacterial challenge test using Aeromonas hydrophila was subsequently conducted. The 4% Scenedesmus ovalternus diet had no effect on the growth of gibel carp (P > 0.05), but did improve the survival rate after the challenge (P ≤ 0.05). In the DS0 group, the bacterial challenge decreased the contents of complement 3 (C3), immunoglobulin M (IgM), interleukin 2 (IL2) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in fish (P < 0.05); in the DS4 group, the challenge increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity but decreased IL2 and TNFα contents (P < 0.05). The activities of MPO and contents of C3, IgM and TNFα were higher in the DS4 group than that fed the DS0 diet after bacterial challenge (P < 0.05). Compared to pre challenge, the expression levels of toll like receptor 2 (TLR2), toll like receptor 3 (TLR3), toll like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), Toll/IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor protein (TIRAP), TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon ß (TRIF), nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor α (IκBα), transforming growth factor ß (TGFß), interleukin 1ß (IL1ß), tumor necrosis factor α1 (TNFα1) and interleukin 10 (IL10) in the head kidney of gibel carp were induced after challenge (P < 0.05). Gibel carp fed the DS4 diet showed lower expression of TGFß in head kidney before the challenge and lower expression of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TIRAP, TRIF, IκBα, TNFα1, IL10 and TGFß after the challenge than that fed the DS0 diet (P < 0.05). Overall, Scenedesmus ovalternus supplement enhanced the resistances of gibel carp against A. hydrophila after overwintering via the TLR signaling pathway.

The characteristics of glucose homoeostasis in grass carp and Chinese longsnout catfish after oral starch administration: a comparative study between herbivorous and carnivorous species of fish.

An oral starch administration trial was used to evaluate glucose homoeostasis in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and Chinese longsnout catfish (Leiocassis longirostris Günther). Fish were administered with 3 g of a water and starch mixture (with 3:2 ratio) per 100 g body weight after fasting for 48 h. Fish were sampled at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after oral starch administration. In grass carp, plasma levels of glucose peaked at 3 h but returned to baseline at 6 h. However, in Chinese longsnout catfish, plasma glucose levels peaked at 6 h and returned to baseline at 48 h. The activity of intestinal amylase was increased in grass carp at 1 and 3 h, but no significant change in Chinese longsnout catfish was observed. The activity of hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase fell significantly in grass carp but change was not evident in Chinese longsnout catfish. The expression levels and enzymic activity of hepatic pyruvate kinase increased in grass carp, but no significant changes were observed in the Chinese longsnout catfish. Glycogen synthase (gys) and glycogen phosphorylase (gp) were induced in grass carp. However, there was no significant change in gys and a clear down-regulation of gp in Chinese longsnout catfish. In brief, compared with Chinese longsnout catfish, grass carp exhibited a rapid increase and faster clearance rate of plasma glucose. This effect was closely related to significantly enhanced levels of digestion, glycolysis, glycogen metabolism and glucose-induced lipogenesis in grass carp, as well as the inhibition of gluconeogenesis.

Effects of dietary yeast hydrolysate on the growth, antioxidant response, immune response and disease resistance of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

A 56-day growth trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary yeast hydrolysate on the growth performance, antioxidation, immune response and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in largemouth bass. Four experimental diets were prepared with yeast hydrolysate levels of 0% (Y0), 1.5% (Y1.5), 3.0% (Y3.0) and 4.5% (Y4.5). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate 150-L tanks and each tank was stocked with 30 largemouth bass (initial body weight, IBW = 7.71 ±â€¯0.02 g). A challenge test was carried out after the feeding trial by injecting A. hydrophila intraperitoneally for 4-day observation. The results showed that the FBW and WGR in Y1.5 group were significantly higher than those in Y0 group (P < 0.05) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) got the lowest value in Y1.5 group. And the hydrolysate supplement significantly increased the 4-day cumulative survival rate after the bacterial challenge (P < 0.05). The plasma malondialdehyde was lower in the yeast hydrolysate supplement groups in both pre- and post-challenge test (P < 0.05), while the plasma C3 increased (P < 0.05). In post-challenge test, the plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities increased in the Y1.5 and Y3.0 groups respectively (P < 0.05), and plasma lysozyme in Y1.5 group and the plasma IgM in Y3.0 group were higher than those in others respectively (P < 0.05). For the q-PCR results, in post-challenge test, the hepatic hep2 expression level in Y1.5 and Y4.5 groups were both significantly higher than those in others (P < 0.05), as well as il-8 in Y3.0 group. The spleen hif-1alpha and tgf-beta1 expression levels in Y4.5 group were all significantly lower than those in others (P < 0.05), while the gilt was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the post-challenge test. And the expression levels of spleen tnf-alpah1 in Y1.5 and Y3.0 groups and il-8 in Y3.0 group were all significantly higher than those in other groups (P < 0.05) in the post-challenge test. The head kidney gilt expression level was significantly higher in the yeast hydrolysate supplement groups compared with the Y0 group (P < 0.05), and the head kidney il-8 expression level in Y1.5 group was significant higher than those in other groups in post-challenge test (P < 0.05). The present results indicated dietary yeast hydrolysate improved the antioxidant ability and enhanced the immune response of largemouth bass without negative effect on growth. And 1.5% or 3.0% of dietary yeast hydrolysate was recommended for largemouth bass based on the present results.

Effects of inosine 5'-monophosphate supplementation in high fishmeal and high soybean diets on growth, immune-related gene expression in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio var. CAS â ¢), and its challenge against Aeromonas hydrophila infection.

The present study was conducted to evaluate dietary inosine 5'-monophosphate (5'-IMP) on growth, immune genes expression and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in juvenile gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio var. CAS Ⅲ) (initial body weight: 7.48 g). Six diets were formulated containing exogenous 5'-IMP at three gradient levels (0, 0.1% and 0.2%) in the high dietary fishmeal group (15% fishmeal: D1, D2, D3) and in the high dietary soybean meal group (33% soybean meal: D4, D5, D6). Each diet was randomly allotted to triplicate tanks in a recirculating system. After the feeding trial, fish were exposed to Aeromonas hydrophila challenge. Hematological and immunological responses were analyzed before and after challenge. The results indicated that feeding rate in all 5'-IMP supplemented treatments (D2, D3, D5 and D6) and daily growth coefficient in D5 and D6 were reduced compared with those of respective control treatments (D1 and D4) without 5'-IMP addition (P < 0.05). The cumulative survival rates were numerically improved by dietary 5'-IMP supplementation (P > 0.05). Compared with the respective control treatment, in the high fishmeal group, plasma SOD and MPO were significantly elevated in D3 at the end of feeding trial (P < 0.05), plasma SOD and lysozyme were significantly increased in D3 after bacterial challenge (P < 0.05); in high soybean meal group, plasma lysozyme activity was significantly elevated in D5 post bacterial challenge (P < 0.05). Most of the expression of immune related genes (intelectin, major histocompatibility complex class II ß (MHC II ß), Complement 3 (C3), Complement component C7-1 (ccC7), lysozyme C, Interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), Tumor necrosis factor α1 (TNF-α1), Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) and Interleukin 8 (IL-8)) in spleen, kidney and liver of the fish were significantly affected by supplementation of 5'-IMP at the end of feeding trial and post bacterial challenge. Additionally, adding 5'-IMP in high soybean meal diets exerted further effects of promoting immunity than counterparts in high fishmeal diets. Considering enhanced disease resistance, the immunopotentiation of 5'-IMP was manifested when the addition level was 0.1% in high soybean meal diets and 0.2% in high fishmeal diets.

Aged care clinical mentoring model of change in nursing homes in China: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Residents living in nursing homes usually have complex healthcare needs and require a comprehensive care approach to identifying and meeting their care needs. Suboptimal quality of care is reported in nursing homes and is associated with the poor health and well-being of the residents, the burden on acute care hospitals and the high costs of healthcare for the government. The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that an Aged Care Clinical Mentoring Model will create and sustain evidence-based quality improvement in priority areas and will be cost-effective in nursing homes in Hunan Province, China. METHODS: A cluster randomized controlled trial will be applied to the study. Fourteen nursing homes will be randomly allocated to either the intervention group (n = 7) or the control group (n = 7). Forty staff will be recruited from each nursing home and the estimated sample size will be 280 staff in each group. The intervention includes a structured, evidence-based quality improvement education program for staff to facilitate knowledge translation in evidence-based quality improvement targeting urinary incontinence, pressure injury and falls prevention. The primary outcomes are nursing homes' capacity to create and sustain quality improvement, staff perceptions of person-centered care, self-reported quality of care by residents and selected quality indicators at 12 months follow-up adjusted for baseline value. Secondary outcomes are residents' quality of life, residents' unplanned admissions to acute care hospitals, quality of care reported by staff, staff job satisfaction and staff intention to leave adjusted for baseline value. A mixed linear regression model will be adopted to compare the significant differences between groups over a 12-month period. DISCUSSION: Although the Aged Care Clinical Mentoring Model has been tested as an effective model to bring positive changes in nursing homes in a high-income country, factors affecting the adaptation of the model in nursing homes in low- and middle-income countries are unknown. The carefully planned intervention protocol enables the project team to consider enablers and barriers when adapting the Model. Therefore, strategies and resources will be in place to manage challenges while demonstrating best practice in this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospectively registered via Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), ChiCTR-IOC-17013109 , Registered on 25 October 2017.

ß-glucan Salecan Improves Exercise Performance and Displays Anti-Fatigue Effects through Regulating Energy Metabolism and Oxidative Stress in Mice.

Fatigue induced by prolonged exercise not only leads to the decrease of exercise capacity, but also might be the cause of many diseases. In consideration of the side effects of pharmacological drugs, dietary supplements seem to be a better choice to ameliorate exercise-induced fatigue. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-fatigue effect of Salecan, a novel water-soluble β-glucan, during exercise and explore the underlying mechanisms. Male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were divided into five groups, including the Rest group and the other four Swim-groups treated with Salecan at 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day for four weeks. Salecan treatment markedly increased the exhaustive swimming time of mice in the forced swimming test. Exercise fatigue and injury-related biochemical biomarkers including lactate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine kinase (CK), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) were ameliorated by Salecan. Salecan reversed the decreased serum glucose levels and glycogen contents caused by exercise. In addition, Salecan improved oxidative stress induced by exercise through regulating Nrf2/HO⁻1/Trx signaling pathway. Thus, the beneficial effects of Salecan against fatigue may be due to its positive effects on energy metabolism and antioxidation defence. Our results suggest that Salecan could be a novel potential candidate for anti-fatigue dietary supplements.

Replacement of fishmeal by spirulina Arthrospira platensis affects growth, immune related-gene expression in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio var. CAS III), and its challenge against Aeromonas hydrophila infection.

The present study examined the effect of dietary spirulina, Arthrospira platensis on growth performance, blood physiological indices, immune-related gene expressions and resistance of juvenile gibel carp against Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Four isonitrogenous (360 g kg-1) and isolipidic (90 g kg-1) diets were formulated with containing different levels of spirulina powder of 0 g (SP0, the control diet), 3.38 g (SP3.38), 6.76 g (SP6.76) and 13.52 g (SP13.52) per 100 g diet to replace 0%, 25%, 50% and 100% of fishmeal protein, respectively. And each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate tanks (150-L capacity per each) and each tank was stocked with 22 fish (15.37 ±â€¯0.06 g). Fish were fed one of the tested diets up to satiation twice a day for 46 days. A challenge test was carried out after the feeding trial by injecting Aeromonas hydrophila intraperitoneally for 7 days. The results showed that fish growth, feeding rate in groups SP3.38 and SP6.76 were significantly higher than those of groups SP0 and SP13.52 (P < 0.05). Feed efficiency and protein retention rate had no significant difference among all tested groups. Plasma superoxide dismutase and phagocyte activity of blood leukocytes significantly increased in the spirulina-fed fish groups at 12-h post the bacterial challenge (P < 0.05). Both pre and post challenge test, plasma lysozyme activities in spirulina-fed groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Plasma malondialdehyde got the lowest value in the SP13.52 group before and after the challenge test. The transcriptional levels of TLR2 (Toll like receptor 2), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), Toll/IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor protein (TIRAP), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α1 (TNF-α1) in spleen and kidney significantly increased post the bacterial challenge compared to the pre challenge. And the relative expressions of the immune-related genes of spirulina-fed fish groups were higher than those of the control group before and after the challenge test. The 7-day cumulative survival rate after the bacterial challenge was highest in the SP3.38 group (P < 0.05). The present results indicated that low dietary inclusion of spirulina significantly enhanced the immune response of gibel carp partly through TLR2 pathway and 3.38% of dietary spirulina was recommended for the juveniles based on the growth and immune response.

Effects of dietary Tenebrio molitor meal on the growth performance, immune response and disease resistance of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco).

This study evaluated the influence of diets containing mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) meal in partial substitution of fishmeal on growth performance and immune responses of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). Four diets were formulated to contain 0 (the control diet), 9, 18 and 27 g mealworm meal per 100 g diet with 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% of fishmeal replacement, respectively. Yellow catfish were randomly divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates in each group. The fish in each group were fed with one of the four experimental diets for 5 weeks. Growth performance, plasma parameters (SOD, MDA, IgM, C3, lysozyme) and immune related genes (MHC II, IL-1, CypA, IgM, HE) of yellow catfish were determined at the end of the feeding trial, as well as 24 h post bacterial (Edwardsiella ictaluri) challenge. The present results showed that dietary inclusion of mealworm meal (MW) had no negative effects on the growth performance of the juvenile yellow catfish, compared to the control group. At the end of the feeding trial, plasma MDA contents of MW supplemented groups were significant lower than the control group. Plasma SOD activities increased significantly with the increasing dietary MW contents at the end of feeding trial (pre-challenge) and 24 h post challenge with E. ictaluri. Significant increase of plasma lysozyme activity was found in MW supplemented groups compared to the control group 24 h post bacterial challenge. Plasma IgM levels increased significantly with the increasing dietary MW contents at the end of feeding trial. Compared with the control group, the immune related genes of MHC II, IL-1, IgM and HE of the fish in the MW supplemented groups significantly upregulated pre-challenge or 24 h post bacterial challenge. Finally, it was observed that the survival rate of the 27% MW group was significant higher (P < 0.05) than the control group but was not significantly differed from the 18% MW group. The present results indicated that dietary inclusion level of at least 18% MW could improve the immune response and the bacterial resistance of yellow catfish without any negative growth effects.

Effects of soybean isoflavone on the notch signal pathway of the brain in rats with cerebral ischemia.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that gastric lavage with soybean isoflavone activates the Notch signaling pathway and prevents apoptosis in the cerebral cortex during experimental strokes. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 10 rats each: sham operation plus vehicle (Sham), middle cerebral artery occlusion plus vehicle (MCAO), MCAO plus low dose soybean isoflavone (10 mg/(kg.d)) and MCAO plus high dose soybean isoflavone (50 mg/(kg.d)). The vehicle (saline, 10 mL/(kg.d)) and soybean isoflavone were administered by gastric lavage for 28 d prior to sham or MCAO operation and for 7 d afterward. The mRNA and protein expression levels of components of the Notch signaling system (Notch1 and Hes5) were measured by in situ hybridization and western blotting, respectively, whereas apoptosis was quantified by TUNEL assay. The results showed that MCAO stimulated expression of Notch1 and Hes5, at both the mRNA and protein levels, and also increased apoptosis. Soybean isoflavone dose-dependently augmented the stimulatory effect of MCAO on Notch1 and Hes5 expression levels but decreased apoptosis. These results identify a possible mechanism by which soybean isoflavone confers neuroprotection in strokes.

[Effects of flavones of buckwheat flower and leaf on insulin resistance and liver PTP1B in type 2 diabetic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect and mechanism of flavones of buckwheat flower and leaf (FBFL) on lowering blood glucose and improving insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats. METHOD: Seventy healthy male Wistar rats were used in this trial. Ten of them were selected randomly as normal group; the others were given fat milk by intragastric administration daily, from the 14th day on, low dose tetraoxypyrimidine was added by intraperitoneal injection every other day for three times. Rats with fasting (72 hours after the last injection) blood sugar > or = 16.7 mmol x L(-1) and K(IPT) < 60% of normal group were selected as type 2 diabetic model with insulin resistance, which were randomly divided into 5 groups: model group. LGLT group; low, moderate and high dosage FBFL groups (L-FBFL; M-FBFL; H-FBFL). Every rat was treated accordingly for 4 weeks; then FBG, FFA, INS were detected and ISI was calculated to evaluate the degree of insulin resistance. Liver PTP1B expression was determined by immunohistochemistry method. staining were observed by light microscopy. RESULT: FBFL could dose-dependently inhibit the rising of FBG, FFA, INS, improve the state of insulin resistance and reduce the expression level of liver PTP1B. CONCLUSION: FBFL could effectively improve insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats induced by tetraoxypyrimidine and fat milk and showed dose-dependence relationship.

[Effects of folic acid on neural cell apoptosis and Notch1 mRNA expression in rats with brain infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of folic acid (FA) on neural cell apoptosis and Notch1 mRNA expression in the ischemic brain tissues of rats with brain infarction. METHODS: Forty-eight male SD(Sprague-Dawley)rats were randomly separated into 4 groups according to body mass: Sham operation (SO), middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), MCAO + low dose folic acid (MCAO + LFA), and MCAO + high dose folic acid (MCAO + HFA). MCAO was made by operation with middle cerebral artery occlusion method except for SO, and the rats were executed at the 14th d after MCAO. Serum folic acid contents were measured with immune chemiluminescence before and 28d after folic acid supplementation and 14d after MCAO. Ischemic brain tissues neural cell apoptosis was measured with TUNEL method, Notch1 mRNA expression was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization at the 14th d after the rats with MCAO. RESULTS: In comparison with MCAO, the rates of neural cell apoptosis were more lower, the concentrations of serum folic acid and the fluorescence intensity of Notch1 mRNA were more higher than those in both MCAO + LFA and MCAO + HFA after FA supplementation (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The rates of neural cell apoptosis induced by FA associated with the increase of Notch1 mRNA expression.