The effect of the use of copper carbonate and copper nanoparticles in the diet of rats on the level of ß-amyloid and acetylcholinesterase in selected organs.

BACKGROUND: Copper has an important role in nervous system function, as a cofactor of many enzymes and in the synthesis of neurotransmitters. Both the dose and the chemical form of copper can determine the impact of this element on metabolism, the neurological system and the immune system. AIMS: The aim of the study was to determine whether and in what form the addition of copper changes the level of amyloid beta and acetylcholinesterase level in selected rat tissues. METHODS: Thirty, healthy, male, albino Wistar rats aged 7 weeks were randomly divided into 3 groups. Three experimental treatments were used to evaluate the effects of different levels and sources of Cu (6.5 mg kg of diet) in the diet: Cu0 - rats fed a diet without Cu supplementation; Cusalt - rats fed a diet with CuCO3 (6.5 mg kg of diet) during two months of feeding; CuNPs - rats fed a diet with Cu nanoparticles (6.5 mg kg of diet) during two months of feeding. In blood serum and tissue homogenates there rated the indicators proving the potential neurodegenerative effect and epigenetic DNA damage induced by chemical form of copper or lack of additional copper supplementation in diet were determined. There were analysed: level of acetylcholinesterase, ß-amyloid, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1, apyrimidinic endonuclease, thymidine glycosidase, alkylpurine-DNA-N-glycosylase and glycosylated acetylcholinesterase. RESULTS: Irrespective of the form of copper added, it was found to increase acetylcholinesterase level in the brain, spleen and liver, as well as in the blood plasma of the rats. Copper in the form of CuCO3 was found to increase acetylcholinesterase level in the kidneys. The addition of both forms of copper caused a marked increase in the plasma concentration of ß-amyloid in comparison with the diet with no added Cu. The addition of both forms of copper caused a marked increase in the plasma concentration of ß-amyloid in comparison with the diet with no added Cu. CONCLUSIONS: A lack of added Cu in the diet of rats reduces the concentration of amyloid-ß in the blood, whereas administration of copper, in the form of either CuNPs or CuCO3, increases the level of this peptide in the blood. The use of copper in the form of CuNPs in the diet of rats does not increase the level of ß-amyloid more than the use of the carbonate form of this element. The use of CuNPs or CuCO3 in the diet of rats increases acetylcholinesterase level in the brain, spleen, liver, and blood. CuNPs in the diet of rats were not found to increase acetylcholinesterase level to a greater extent than Cu+2 carbonate.

The Effect of Administration of a Phytobiotic Containing Cinnamon Oil and Citric Acid on the Metabolism, Immunity, and Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens.

It was postulated that a phytobiotic preparation containing cinnamon oil and citric acid added to drinking water for chickens in a suitable amount and for a suitable time would beneficially modify the microbiota composition and morphology of the small intestine, thereby improving immunity and growth performance without inducing metabolic disorders. The aim of the study was to establish the dosage and time of administration of such a phytobiotic that would have the most beneficial effect on the intestinal histology and microbiota, production results, and immune and metabolic status of broiler chickens. The experiment was carried out on 980 one-day-old male chickens until the age of 42 days. The chickens were assigned to seven experimental groups of 140 birds each (seven replications of 20 individuals each). The control group (G-C) did not receive the phytobiotic. Groups CT-0.05, CT-0.1, and CT-0.25 received the phytobiotic in their drinking water in the amount of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mL/L, respectively, at days 1-42 of life (continuous application, CT). The birds in groups PT-0.05, PT-0.5, and PT-0.25 received the phytobiotic in the same amounts, but only at days 1-7, 15-21, and 29-35 of life (periodic application, PT). Selected antioxidant and biochemical parameters were determined in the blood of the chickens, as well as parameters of immune status and redox status. The morphology of the intestinal epithelium, composition of the microbiome, and production parameters of chickens receiving the phytobiotic in their drinking water were determined as well. The addition of a phytobiotic containing cinnamon oil and citric acid to the drinking water of broiler chickens at a suitable dosage and for a suitable time can beneficially modify the microbiome composition and morphometry of the small intestine (total number of fungi p < 0.001, total number of aerobic bacteria p < 0.001; and total number of coliform bacteria p < 0.001 was decreased) improving the immunity and growth performance of the chickens (there occurred a villi lengthening p = 0.002 and crypts deepening p = 0.003). Among the three tested dosages (0.05, 0.1, and 0.25 mL/L of water) of the preparation containing cinnamon oil, the dosage of 0.25 mL/L of water administered for 42 days proved to be most beneficial. Chickens receiving the phytobiotic in the amount of 0.25 mL/L had better growth performance, which was linked to the beneficial effect of the preparation on the microbiome of the small intestine, metabolism (the HDL level p = 0.017 was increased; and a decreased level of total cholesterol (TC) p = 0.018 and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) p = 0.007, LDL p = 0.041, as well as triacylglycerols (TAG) p = 0.014), and immune (the level of lysozyme p = 0.041 was increased, as well as the percentage of phagocytic cells p = 0.034, phagocytosis index p = 0.038, and Ig-A level p = 0.031) and antioxidant system (the level of LOOH p < 0.001, MDA p = 0.002, and the activity of Catalase (CAT) p < 0.001 were decreased, but the level of ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) p = 0.029, glutathione p = 0.045 and vitamin C p = 0.021 were increased).

The effect of the source and dosage of dietary Cu on redox status in rat tissues.

The aim of this experiment was to investigate whether the amount of Cu added to the diet of rats can be reduced without adversely affecting the antioxidant status of tissues and growth, and whether copper nanoparticles can be used for this purpose. For four weeks, four experimental groups of rats were fed diets with two dosages of added Cu (standard-6.5 or 3.25 mg/kg) in two forms (standard-CuCO3 or copper nanoparticles). Replacing the CuCO3 supplement with CuNPs resulted in a decreased lung weight and an increased Cu content in brain, kidney and lung, intensification of lipid peroxidation processes, and weakened antioxidant defence in the lungs and kidneys. This treatment also reduced the Cu content in heart, level of lipid oxidation in the liver and testes and improved antioxidant defence in the brain. Reducing the addition of Cu to the diet from 6.5 to 3.25 mg/kg reduced lung weight and increased lipid peroxidation in the liver, heart and lungs, and also weakened antioxidant defence in the lungs and testes. This treatment also weakened the lipid peroxidation process in the spleen, small intestine and brain and strengthened the antioxidant defence of the brain and kidneys. In conclusion, replacing CuCO3 with CuNPs and reducing the level of Cu in the diet of rats has a particularly unfavourable effect on the respiratory system, causing adverse changes in the lungs. However, these treatments have a clearly positive effect on the redox status of the liver and brain.