Effects of dietary supplementation with herbal extract mixture on growth performance, organ weight and intestinal morphology in weaning piglets.

BACKGROUND: Many countries are increasingly prohibiting the addition of antibiotics in livestock diets. Therefore, herb extracts have gradually drawn attention to substitute antibiotics. Our present study aimed to determine the effects of herbal extract mixture (HEM) in dietary on growth performance, organ weight, intestinal morphology and intestinal nutrient transporters in weaned pigs. METHODS: 27 piglets (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire]; Body Weight (BW) = 5.99 ± 0.13 kg) were weaned at day 21 and randomly divided into three groups (n = 9 piglets/group). All piglets received a basal diet containing similar amounts of nutrients for 14 days. The three groups were the control (no additive), the antibiotics (375 mg/kg chlortetracycline, 20%, 500 mg/kg enramycin, 4%, 1,500 mg/kg oxytetracycline calcium, 50%) and the HEM group (1000 mg/kg extract mixture of golden-and-silver honeysuckle, huangqi, duzhong leaves and dangshen). After 14 d of treatment, we collected tissue samples to measure organ weight, intestinal parameters, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities and intestinal mRNA expression of nutrient transporters. RESULTS: The HEM group had no effects on growth performance and organ weight of weaned pigs. But compared with the control group, both HEM and antibiotics improved intestinal morphology, and HEM elevated the expression of nutrient transporters in ileum (SLC6A9, SLC15A1, and SLC5A1). HEM significantly decreased the activities of maltase in ileum and the ratio of small intestinal weight to BW than control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate benefit effects of the supplementation of HEM in diet, including modulating intestinal morphology and increasing the mRNA expression of nutrients transporters. These findings suggest that HEM provides novel insights into a variety of herbal extract mixtures to replace antibiotics in animal production.

Does the Spleen Have a Function in Digestion? Medical History, Phylogenetic and Embryological Development of the Splenogastric System.

BACKGROUND: Before the spleen was discovered to be a lymphatic blood organ, it had for centuries been considered to be a digestive organ. Concepts of a regulative, secretory and resorptive function in the digestive system were based mainly on a postulated connection between the stomach and the spleen. Splenogastric vascular connections have recently been rediscovered by modern surgery. SUMMARY: To test the hypothesis that the spleen has a digestive function, this article reviews the literature focusing on the interaction between the spleen and the stomach. We examine the historical medical view of the spleen and stomach system and the reasons why a digestive function was abandoned in the 17th and 18th centuries. We then review the rediscovery of the splenogastric system and the present-day state of knowledge (anatomical origin, variability, haemodynamics) and present it in terms of the phylogenetic and embryological development of the spleen and stomach system. Key Message: Splenogastric arteries and gastrosplenic veins form a portal system which directly connects the spleen and stomach parenchyma. Despite its mesodermal anlage, phylogenetically and embryologically the spleen is intimately interconnected with the entodermal stomach parenchyma but detaches from this in the course of development. Further study is required to establish whether the splenogastric system is merely an evolutive remnant or actually a part of a functioning spleen-stomach system as postulated in complementary and integrative medicine.

Effects of dietary level of tannic acid and protein on internal organ weights and biochemical blood parameters of rats.

Tannic acid (TA) is a polyphenolic compound with a health-promoting potential for humans. It is hypothesised that TA effects on the relative weight of internal organs and biochemical blood indices are modified by dietary protein level in rats. The study involved 72 rats divided into 12 groups fed diets with 10 or 18% of crude protein (CP) and supplemented with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5 or 2% of TA. After 3 weeks of feeding, the relative weight of the caecum was greater in rats fed TA diets, while feeding diets with 10% of CP increased the relative weight of the stomach, small intestine and caecum, but decreased that of kidneys and spleen. Albumin concentration was higher in rats fed 0.25% and 0.5% TA diets than in rats given the 2% TA diets. The 2% TA diets reduced creatine kinase (CK) activity compared to non-supplemented diets and those with 0.5, 1 and 1.5% of TA. Rats fed the 10% CP diets had a higher activity of alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and γ-glutamyltransferase as well as the concentration of iron and cholesterol, but lower that of urea and uric acid. The interaction affected only cholinesterase activity. In conclusion, TA induced caecal hypertrophy and could act as a cardioprotective agent, as demonstrated by reduced CK activity, but these effects were not modified by dietary protein level.

Anti-nociceptive effect of stigmasterol in mouse models of acute and chronic pain.

Stigmasterol is a common sterol found in plants, but the anti-nociceptive effect of this compound and its mechanism of action are not fully explored. Thus, in the present study, the anti-nociceptive effect of stigmasterol was investigated in acute and chronic models of pain and its mechanism of action. We used adult male albino Swiss mice (25-35 g) to observe the anti-nociceptive effect of stigmasterol in acetic-acid writhing test or in complete Freund's adjuvant injection, surgical incision in hind paw, or partial sciatic nerve ligation. Moreover, we investigate the involvement of opioid receptors (naloxone, 2 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) in stigmasterol anti-nociceptive effect and stigmasterol action on acetylcholinesterase activity. Some possible adverse effects caused by stigmasterol were also investigated. Stigmasterol (0.3-3 mg/kg, orally) exhibited an anti-nociceptive effect on acetic-acid-induced writhing test. Furthermore, it markedly attenuated the mechanical allodynia caused by surgical incision (after acute treatment with stigmasterol, preventive and curative effects were observed) and partial sciatic nerve ligation (after acute treatment with stigmasterol) and complete Freund's adjuvant (after acute or repeated treatment with stigmasterol). The anti-nociceptive effect of stigmasterol was not reversed by naloxone. Moreover, stigmasterol did not alter in vitro acetylcholinesterase activity in spinal cord or brain samples. Also, stigmasterol did not cause gastric ulcers or alter the gastrointestinal transit of mice. Taken together, these results support the potential anti-nociceptive effect of stigmasterol in different models of pain.

Influences of breast milk composition on gastric emptying in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine whether specific biochemical and energy concentrations influence gastric emptying of unfortified and fortified mother's own milk (MOM) in stable preterm infants, and whether gastric emptying differs between feeds of unfortified MOM and feeds fortified with S-26 or FM 85 human milk fortifier (HMF) when infants are fed the same volume under similar conditions. Influences of infant gestation, age, and weight, and feed characteristics were also explored. METHODS: Stomach volumes of 25 paired unfortified and fortified MOM feeds were monitored prefeed and postfeed delivery and at 30-minute intervals thereafter. For each feed, MOM samples were analyzed to determine concentrations of total protein, casein, whey, carbohydrate, lactose, fat, and energy. Fortified feed compositions were calculated by adding fortifier biochemical and energy concentrations to unfortified MOM concentrations. Ultrasound images were used to calculate infant stomach volumes. Statistical comparisons were made of paired stomach volume measurements. RESULTS: Higher feed concentrations of casein were associated with faster gastric emptying during feed delivery (P = 0.007). When compared with unfortified MOM, S-26 fortified feeds emptied similarly, whereas FM 85 fortified feeds emptied more slowly both during feed delivery and during the postprandial period (P = 0.002, <0.001, respectively). Gastric emptying was slower for 2-hourly feeds compared with that for 3-hourly feeds (P = 0.003) and in supine position compared with that in prone (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Breast milk composition influences gastric emptying in stable preterm infants, with feeds of higher casein concentration emptying faster during feeding than otherwise equivalent feeds, and FM 85 fortified MOM emptying more slowly than unfortified MOM.

Effects of whole-grain paddy rice replacement with or without enzyme addition on broiler performance and intestinal morphology.

To investigate the effect of replacing maize with whole-grain paddy rice (WPR) in broiler chicken diets, with or without enzyme addition, on growth performance and histological structures of the intestinal villi, 14-d-old Marshall Chunky male chicks were divided into 4 groups with 4 replicates of 4 chicks each. The experimental diets containing different concentrations of WPR were as follows: (1) 0 g/kg (Control); (2) 141.5 g/kg, grower, and 125.0 g/kg, finisher (25WPR); (3) 283.0 g/kg, grower, and 250.0 g/kg, finisher (50WPR); (4) 283.0 g/kg, grower, and 250.0 g/kg, finisher, and enzyme supplementation (50WPR + enzyme). All diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous and provided ad libitum for 35 d. There were no differences among the diets on the growth performance and digestive organ size. The villus height and cell mitosis number of all intestinal segments did not change in any treatment. The ileal villus area, duodenal cell area, duodenal and jejunal goblet cell number in the 50WPR group increased significantly relative to the control but not when enzyme was included. In the scanning electron microscope results, all experimental groups showed clear protuberant cells and cell clusters on the villus apical surface of the duodenum. In the jejunum, cell clusters and areas having cells with no microvilli were frequently found in both the 50WPR and 50WPR + enzyme groups. In conclusion, broilers fed on diets replacing maize with WPR showed hypertrophied villi of duodenum and ileum and epithelial cells in duodenum and jejunum, especially in the 50WPR group, without negatively affecting growth performance. These findings suggest that WPR can replace maize up to a level of 50% (283.0 g/kg, starter, and 250.0 g/kg, finisher) in broiler diets without enzyme supplementation. However, further studies are needed to improve our knowledge of the influence of WPR on higher numbers of birds.

The effects on gastric emptying and carbohydrate loading of an oral nutritional supplement and an oral rehydration solution: a crossover study with magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative administration of clear fluids by mouth has recently been endorsed as a way to improve postoperative outcomes. A carbohydrate-containing beverage supplemented with electrolytes or proteins may have additional benefits for patients' satisfaction. However, effects on gastric residual, nausea, and emesis and the effectiveness of these beverages for improving patients' hydration status have not been well defined. METHODS: We evaluated changes in gastric volume over time by magnetic resonance imaging, as well as blood glucose levels, before and after administration of 500 mL oral rehydration solution (ORS) containing 1.8% glucose and electrolytes in 10 healthy volunteers. The same volume of an oral nutritional supplement (ONS) containing 18% glucose and supplemental arginine (545 mOsm/kg) was given to the same population using a crossover design. RESULTS: The mean (median, 95% confidence interval) gastric fluid volume at 1 hour after oral ingestion was 55.0 (55.3, 39.0-70.9) mL in the ORS group, whereas 409.2 (410.9, 371.4-447.0) mL in the ONS group (P = 0.0002). The gastric fluid volume of all participants in the ORS group returned to <1 mL/kg at 90 minutes after ingestion, whereas none reached <1 mL/kg at 120 minutes in the ONS group. The ONS group showed a sustained increase in the blood glucose level after ingestion (P < 0.0001 to baseline at 30, 60, 120 minutes), while the ORS group showed an initial increase (P < 0.0001, P = 0.01, P = 0.205 at each time point). CONCLUSIONS: ORS supplemented with a small amount of glucose showed faster gastric emptying, which may make it suitable for preoperative administration. In contrast, ONS supplemented with arginine with a relatively low osmolality was associated with a longer time for gastric emptying, although it showed a sustained increase in blood glucose level.

Estudo do efeito analgésico da acupuntura na resposta dolorosa de pacientes portadores de Disfunção Temporomandibular / Study on the analgesic effect of acupuncture on the pain response in patients with temporomandibular disorders

O presente estudo foi clínico duplo-cego randomizado, placebo controlado. Avaliou o efeito analgésico do acuponto Estômago 7 (E7) em pacientes portadores de Disfunção Temporomandibular. A possível analgesia foi estudada bilateralmente nos músculos masséter e temporal anterior. A proposição se estendeu a fim de elucidar se existem diferenças nos resultados quando se utiliza um ponto em um lado da face, se o resultado repercute do outro lado da face e se a acupuntura atua no limiar de dor do indivíduo. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. A amostra constou de 56 pacientes. Todos os pacientes receberam a acupuntura real e acupuntura placebo, em sessão única. O acuponto E7 foi puncionado sempre do lado direito da face dos indivíduos. Os parâmetros utilizados para a avaliação foram a Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) e o Limiar de dor à Pressão (LDP). Avaliados antes e após o tratamento. A diminuição média do parâmetro EVA do lado direito foi de 39,73. Para o lado esquerdo, a diminuição média foi de 41,81. O parâmetro LDP aumentou imediatamente. O ponto isolado de acupuntura E7 promoveu a diminuição da dor do músculo masséter dos indivíduos. Foi possível agulhar um lado do paciente e atuar no lado oposto. O limiar de dor a pressão (LDP) medida no músculo-temporal anterior foi aumentado bilateralmente.

This was a clinical, double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study. It had the purpose of assessing the analgesic effect of acupoint Stomach 7 (S7) in patients with Temporomandibular Disorders. The possible analgesia was studied bilaterally on the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles. The proposal intended to find if there are differences in the results when a point on one side of the face is used and whether there is a repercussion on the other side of the face. Moreover, if acupuncture acts on the pain threshold of individuals. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Researches of the School of Dentistry of the University of São Paulo under number 544519. Fifty-six patients took part in the study. All the patients received real acupuncture and placebo acupuncture in a single appointment. Acupoint St7 was stimulated always on the right side of the patients faces. The parameters used for the assessment were the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), assessed before and after treatment. The mean decrease of VAS parameter on the right side was 39.73; and on the left side, the mean decrease was 41.81. The parameter PPT increased immediately. The isolated point of acupuncture St7 organized decrease of pain in the masseter muscle of patients. It was possible to puncture one side of the patient and act on the opposite side. The Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) measured on the anterior temporalis muscle increased bilaterally.

Effects of DA-9701, a novel prokinetic agent, on gastric accommodation in conscious dogs.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: DA-9701, a novel prokinetic agent formulated with Pharbitis Semen and Corydalis Tuber, has strong prokinetic effects, and enhances gastric compliance in conscious dogs. In this study, the effects of DA-9701 on gastric accommodation were studied in conscious dogs. METHODS: Beagle dogs with an implanted gastric cannula in the stomach were used in this study. After an overnight fast, the dogs received DA-9701 orally, or served as a positive control that received sumatriptan or a negative control before ingestion of a meal. The basal and postprandial gastric volumes were monitored at a constant operating pressure using an electronic barostat. To investigate the long-lasting effects on increased postprandial gastric volume, the area under the volume versus time curve (AUC) was calculated. RESULTS: DA-9701 significantly increased the basal gastric volume compared to the negative controls (P < 0.05); the effects were comparable to sumatriptan. DA-9701 and sumatriptan significantly increased gastric accommodation compared to the negative control (P < 0.05). In the negative control, the gastric volume reached the maximal volume 40 min after the meal, and then gradually decreased. However, with DA-9701, the increased gastric volume remained significantly elevated for 60 min postprandially (P < 0.05). DA-9701 significantly increased the value of AUC compared to the negative control; this was observed during both the early and late postprandial phases (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A novel prokinetic agent, DA-9701, improved gastric accommodation by increasing the postprandial gastric volume; these effects persisted for 60 min after a meal.

Effect of ginger on gastric motility and symptoms of functional dyspepsia.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of ginger on gastric motility and emptying, abdominal symptoms, and hormones that influence motility in dyspepsia. METHODS: Eleven patients with functional dyspepsia were studied twice in a randomized double-blind manner. After an 8-h fast, the patients ingested three capsules that contained ginger (total 1.2 g) or placebo, followed after 1 h by 500 mL low-nutrient soup. Antral area, fundus area and diameter, and the frequency of antral contractions were measured using ultrasound at frequent intervals, and the gastric half-emptying time was calculated from the change in antral area. Gastrointestinal sensations and appetite were scored using visual analog questionnaires, and blood was taken for measurement of plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), motilin and ghrelin concentrations, at intervals throughout the study. RESULTS: Gastric emptying was more rapid after ginger than placebo [median (range) half-emptying time 12.3 (8.5-17.0) min after ginger, 16.1 (8.3-22.6) min after placebo, P≤0.05]. There was a trend for more antral contractions (P=0.06), but fundus dimensions and gastrointestinal symptoms did not differ, nor did serum concentrations of GLP-1, motilin and ghrelin. CONCLUSION: Ginger stimulated gastric emptying and antral contractions in patients with functional dyspepsia, but had no impact on gastrointestinal symptoms or gut peptides.

Comparative effect of orally administered sodium butyrate before or after weaning on growth and several indices of gastrointestinal biology of piglets.

Sodium butyrate (SB) provided orally favours body growth and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in milk-fed pigs. In weaned pigs, conflicting results have been obtained. Therefore, we hypothesised that the effects of SB (3 g/kg DM intake) depend on the period (before v. after weaning) of its oral administration. From the age of 5 d, thirty-two pigs, blocked in quadruplicates within litters, were assigned to one of four treatments: no SB (control), SB before (for 24 d), or after (for 11-12 d) weaning and SB before and after weaning (for 35-36 d). Growth performance, feed intake and various end-point indices of GIT anatomy and physiology were investigated at slaughter. The pigs supplemented with SB before weaning grew faster after weaning than the controls (P < 0.05). The feed intake was higher in pigs supplemented with SB before or after weaning (P < 0.05). SB provided before weaning improved post-weaning faecal digestibility (P < 0.05) while SB after weaning decreased ileal and faecal digestibilities (P < 0.05). Gastric digesta retention was higher when SB was provided before weaning (P < 0.05). Post-weaning administration of SB decreased the activity of three pancreatic enzymes and five intestinal enzymes (P < 0.05). IL-18 gene expression tended to be lower in the mid-jejunum in SB-supplemented pigs. The small-intestinal mucosa was thinner and jejunal villous height lower in all SB groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the pre-weaning SB supplementation was the most efficient to stimulate body growth and feed intake after weaning, by reducing gastric emptying and intestinal mucosa weight and by increasing feed digestibility.

Gross dissection of the stomach of the lobster, Homarus Americanus.

The stomach of the American lobster (Homarus americanus) is located in the cephalothorax, between the rostrum and the cervical groove. The anterior end of the stomach is defined by the mouth opening and the posterior end by the bottom of the pylorus. Along the dorsal side of the stomach lies the stomatogastric nervous system (STNS). This nervous system, which contains rhythmic networks that underlie feeding behavior, is an established model system for studying rhythm generating networks and neuromodulation. While it is possible to study this system in vivo, the STNS continues to produce its rhythmic activity when isolated in vitro. In order to study this system in vitro the stomach must be removed from the animal. This video article describes how the stomach can be dissected from the American lobster. In an accompanying video article(4) we demonstrate how the STNS can be isolated from the stomach.

Low sympathetic tone and obese phenotype in oxytocin-deficient mice.

Oxytocin (Oxt) is secreted both peripherally and centrally and is involved in several functions including parturition, milk let-down reflex, social behavior, and food intake. Recently, it has been shown that mice deficient in Oxt receptor develop late-onset obesity. In this study, we characterized a murin model deficient in Oxt peptide (Oxt(-/-)) to evaluate food intake and body weight, glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance, leptin and adrenaline levels. We found that Oxt(-/-) mice develop late-onset obesity and hyperleptinemia without any alterations in food intake in addition to having a decreased insulin sensitivity and glucose intolerance. The lack of Oxt in our murin model also results in lower adrenalin levels which led us to hypothesize that the metabolic changes observed are associated with a decreased sympathetic nervous tone. It has been shown that Oxt neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) are a component of a leptin-sensitive signaling circuit between the hypothalamus and caudal brain stem for the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. Nevertheless, the lack of Oxt in these mice does not have a direct impact on feeding behavior whose regulation is probably dependent on the complex interplay of several factors. The lack of hyperphagia evident in the Oxt(-/-) mice may, in part, be attributed to the developmental compensation of other satiety factors such as cholecystokinin or bombesin-related peptides which merits further investigation. These findings identify Oxt as an important central regulator of energy homeostasis.

Pulsatile cerebrospinal fluid and plasma ghrelin in relation to growth hormone secretion and food intake in the sheep.

As in other species, exogenous administration of ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptors can stimulates feeding behaviour and GH secretion in the sheep. However, the importance of endogenous ghrelin for these two functions as well as its central or peripheral origin remained to be established. In the present study, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ghrelin concentrations were measured in five anoestrous ewes and found to be more than 1000-fold lower than circulating plasma levels, in keeping with the even lower concentration in hypothalamic compared to abomasum tissue extracts. Cluster analysis indicated that CSF ghrelin levels were markedly pulsatile, with a greater number of peaks than plasma ghrelin. Pulsatility parameters were closer for GH and CSF ghrelin than between GH and plasma ghrelin. Plasma ghrelin and GH levels were significantly correlated in three out of five ewes but CSF ghrelin and GH in one ewe only. Half of the CSF ghrelin episodes were preceded by a ghrelin peak in plasma with a 22-min delay. Cross-correlations between plasma GH and plasma or CSF ghrelin did not reach significance but a trend towards cross-correlation was observed from 20 to 0 min between plasma and CSF ghrelin. At 09.00 h, when food was returned to ewes, voluntary food intake did not elicit a consistent change in plasma or CSF ghrelin levels. By contrast, a peripheral ghrelin injection (1 mg, i.v.) immediately stimulated feeding behaviour and GH secretion. These effects were concomitant with a more than ten-fold increase in plasma ghrelin levels, whereas CSF ghrelin values only doubled 40-50 min after the injection. This suggests that peripherally-injected ghrelin crosses the blood-brain barrier, but only in low amount and with relatively slow kinetics compared to its effects on GH release and food intake. Taken together, the results obtained in the present study support the notion that, in the ovariectomised-oestradiol implanted sheep model, peripheral ghrelin injection rapidly induces GH secretion, and feeding behaviour, probably by acting on growth hormone secretagogue receptor subtype 1 located in brain regions in which the blood-brain barrier is not complete (e.g. the arcuate nucleus).

Evaluation of the cynomolgus monkey stomach: recommendations for standard sampling procedures in nonclinical safety studies.

The cynomolgus macaque is the most commonly used nonhuman primate in nonclinical toxicity testing, but the macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of the stomach in the cynomolgus macaque is poorly described. To develop a reliable sampling method for histologic evaluation of the cynomolgus macaque stomach in regulatory toxicity studies, the stomachs of control animals were prospectively evaluated using an extensive sectioning pattern. The stomach of the cynomolgus macaque differs from that described for the human stomach and has a prominent fundus that lacks parietal cells. A description of the macroscopic and microscopic anatomy is presented along with a recommended sectioning pattern for nonclinical toxicity studies and discussion of species differences. A thorough understanding of normal anatomy and species comparisons are critical to interpretation of potential toxicity findings and assessment of risk in humans.

Nitrergic contribution to gastric relaxation induced by glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in healthy adults.

The incretin glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is used to treat diabetes mellitus, delays gastric emptying by inhibiting vagal activity. GLP-1 also increases fasting and postprandial gastric volume in humans. On the basis of animal studies, we hypothesized that nitric oxide mediates the effects of GLP-1 on gastric volumes. To assess the effects of nitrergic blockade on GLP-1-induced gastric accommodation in humans, in this double-blind study, 31 healthy volunteers were randomized to placebo (i.e., saline), GLP-1, or the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate (L-NMMA; 4 mg.kg(-1) x h(-1)) alone or with GLP-1. Thereafter, 16 additional subjects were randomized to GLP-1 alone or together with a higher dose of L-NMMA (10 mg/kg bolus plus 8 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) infusion). Gastric volumes (fasting pre- and postdrug, postprandial postdrug) were measured by (99m)Tc-single-photon-emission computed tomography imaging. GLP-1 increased (P = 0.04) fasting gastric volume by 83 +/- 16 ml (vs. 17 +/- 11 ml for placebo) and augmented (P < or = 0.01) postprandial accommodation by 688 +/- 165 ml (vs. 542 +/- 29 ml for placebo). L-NMMA (low dose) alone did not affect fasting or postprandial gastric volume. L-NMMA (low dose) did not attenuate the effect of GLP-1 on gastric volumes. In contrast, L-NMMA (high dose) did not affect fasting volume but blunted GLP-1-mediated postprandial accommodation (postprandial change = 494 +/- 37 ml, P < or = 0.01 vs. GLP-1 alone). These data are consistent with the hypothesis that nitric oxide partly mediates the effects of GLP-1 on postprandial but not fasting gastric volumes in humans.

Ingestion of non-caloric liquid diet is sufficient to restore plasma corticosterone level, but not to induce the hypothalamic c-Fos expression in food-deprived rats.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to four different conditions; free fed control (FC), 48 h of food deprivation (FD), 1 h of refeeding with chow (RF/CW) or with a non-caloric liquid diet following FD (RF/NC) and then sacrificed for c-Fos immunohistochemistry in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the nucleus tractus of solitarius (NTS). Plasma corticosterone level and the postmortem weight of gastric contents were measured. Plasma level of corticosterone significantly increased during FD, and then decreased within 1 h after ad libitum access to chow or non-caloric liquid diet. c-Fos-ir in the brain regions was not changed by FD; however, significantly increased by chow refeeding, but not by non-caloric diet. Chow, but not the non-caloric, refeeding significantly increased gastric contents. Results suggest that caloric load and/or gastric distension may require for the postprandial activation of neurons in the PVN and NTS, but ingestion of non-caloric palatable mixture may be sufficient to normalize the fasting-induced increase of plasma corticosterone. In conclusion, feeding-related changes in the HPA axis activity may not be related with meal-induced c-Fos expression in the PVN and NTS.

Influence of diet type on the inclusion of plant origin active substances on morphological and histochemical characteristics of the stomach and jejunum walls in chicken.

Three hundred and thirty-six 1-day-old male Hubbard HI-Ye broiler hybrids, kept in battery cages, were fed with diets based on maize (groups I and II) or wheat and barley (groups III and IV) and supplemented with or without plant extract (XT* 100 mg/kg) containing 5% carvacrol, 3% cinnamaldehyde and 2% of capsicum oleoresin. The morphological and histochemical examinations were carried out on days 21 and 42 of bird's age. The middle part of glandular part of the stomach and 30 mm long segment from the central part of the small intestine (jejunum) were taken out and then prepared for morphometrical and histochemical assays. Mobilization of mucocytes in superficial epithelium of the glandular stomach and increased secretion of neutral mucopolysaccharides and small amounts of sialomucins with or without local cell disruption with releasing of large amounts of mucus were observed in both 'grain' groups of 21-day-old birds fed with extract. In some animals, particularly those fed mixtures with plant extract, the folds of the proventriculum mucosa were fused into large, unshaped structures. In groups fed with plant extract the mucus secretion intensity and accumulation inside cells of the gastrointestinal mucosa were slightly higher. Morphological changes on gastrointestinal mucosa observed in young chickens fed XT were reduced in older animals. The results of this study showed that the increased releasing of large amounts of mucus and the creation of a thick layer of mucus on glandular stomach and wall of jejunum in chickens fed diets with plant extract could suggest villi-related protective properties of the use of the carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and capsaicin mixture. This can explain the reduced possibility of adhesion to epithelium and number of Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringes and fungi in the intestinal content of bird fed with XT supplemented diet. In morphometrical parameters of depth of jejunum crypt and height of villi, the influence of kind of grain and extract supplementation was observed in 21-day-old chickens only. The significant interaction between higher jejunum wall villi layer was observed only in chickens fed on maize diet supplemented with plant extract.

MR imaging of the stomach: potential use for mangafodipir trisodium--a study in swine.

PURPOSE: To evaluate mangafodipir trisodium as a potential contrast agent at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the stomach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mangafodipir trisodium was injected intravenously into three swine at a dose of 5 micromol per kilogram of body weight. For comparison, gadopentetate dimeglumine was injected into three other swine at a dose of 0.1 mmol per kilogram of body weight. T1-weighted three-dimensional MR images were acquired in all six swine at 1.5 T before and approximately 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 40 minutes after contrast material administration. Extracted stomach specimens were imaged at 3.0 T. In vivo and ex vivo images were evaluated visually and quantitatively for contrast enhancement of the stomach, and in vivo images were evaluated for the presence of reflux from the duodenum. RESULTS: Mangafodipir trisodium produced prolonged and selective enhancement of the inner surface of the stomach, in contrast to the more general enhancement seen with gadopentetate dimeglumine, and reflux from the duodenum could not account for this selective enhancement. Ex vivo images confirmed that T1 enhancement in the stomach wall with mangafodipir trisodium was limited to the inner surface. Gadopentetate dimeglumine did not produce selective enhancement of the inner surface of the stomach. CONCLUSION: Mangafodipir trisodium preferentially enhances the inner surface of the stomach on MR images acquired in swine and, therefore, may have potential for use as a contrast agent at MR imaging of the human stomach.

Euterpe Olerácea (Açaí) as an alternative oral contrast agent in MRI of the gastrointestinal system: preliminary results.

Using contrast agents is a common practice in medical imaging protocols. Paramagnetic properties of certain compounds present in contrast agents can affect magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals. For abdominal applications, they are usually injected, but may also be administered orally. However, their use as a routine technique is limited, mainly due to the lack of appropriate oral contrast agents. We herein present the preliminary characterization and results for implementation of Euterpe Olerácea (popularly named Açaí) as a possible clinical oral contrast agent for MRI of the gastrointestinal tract. The pulp of Açaí, a fruit from the Amazon area, presented an increase in T(1)-weighted MRI signal, equivalent to that of gadolinium-diethyltriamine pentaacetic acid, and a decrease in T(2)-weighted images. We looked for intrinsic properties that could be responsible for the T(1) signal enhancement and T(2) opacification. Atomic absorption spectra revealed the presence of Fe, Mn and Cu ions in Açai. The presence of such ions contribute to the susceptometric value found of chi = -4.83 x 10(-6). This finding assents with the hypothesis that image contrast changes were due to the presence of paramagnetic material. The first measurements in vivo demonstrate a clear increase of contrast, in T(1)-weighted images, due to the presence of Açaí. Consistently, the opacification in a T(2)-weighted acquisition was evident, revealing a good contrast on bowel walls of gastric tissues.