Effect of L-Carnitine and/or Calf Thymus Gland Extract Supplementation on Immunity, Antioxidant, Duodenal Histomorphometric, Growth, and Economic Performance of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

This study aimed to evaluate the supplementation (of drinking water) effects of L-Carnitine (LC) and/or calf thymus extract (TE) on immunity, antioxidant, duodenal histomorphometric, growth, and economic performance of Japanese quail. Six hundred, one day old unsexed quail were divided into four groups, the control group (G1) received plain drinking water, while G2, G3, and G4 were supplemented with LC and/or TE, respectively. The treated groups recorded a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the final body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, phagocytic activity %, phagocytic index, lymphocytes %, and plasma glutathione level compared to the G1. On the other hand, these supplementations significantly lower the mortality rate %, heterophil %, H/L ratio and plasma malondialdehyde level of the supplemented groups relative to G1. The supplemented groups recorded a non-significant increase in duodenal histomorphometric parameters (villous height, villous width, surface area, and crypt depth) relative to G1. Generally, LC and/or TE improve the values of economic profile (total returns, net profit, total return/total costs %, etc.) in treated groups compared to the control one. In conclusion, L-carnitine supplementation was more effective than TE or their combination with TE in the immunological, anti-oxidative, growth, and economic performance.

Gastroprotective Effects of Spirulina platensis, Golden Kiwifruit Flesh, and Golden Kiwifruit Peel Extracts Individually or in Combination against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats.

This study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Spirulina platensis (SP), golden kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) flesh (KF), and golden kiwifruit peel (KP) individually or in combination (SFP) on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Negative control rats (GI) were orally administered distilled water in parallel with other treatments. The positive control rat group (GII) was administered 30 mg kg-1 indomethacin to induce gastric ulcers. The KF and KF extracts were used individually or together with SP in treating indomethacin-induced gastric ulcerated rat groups. Gastric ulcerated rat's groups GIII, GIV, GV, GVI, and GVII were orally administered at 30 mg kg-1 rat body weight as total phenolic content (TPC) equivalent from SP, KF, KP, SPF extracts, and Lansoprazole (30 mg kg-1, as reference drug) daily up to 14 days, respectively. The relevant biochemical parameters, antioxidant biomarkers, and histopathological examination were examined. Remarkably, treating rats with SP, KF, KP, and SFP extracts markedly reduced gastric juice and stomach volume expansion induced by indomethacin. The SP significantly retrieved the pH of gastric juice to a regular rate compared to GI. The ulcer index (UI) was significantly attenuated by SP, KF, KP, and SFP administration. The protection index percentage (PI %) was 80.79, 54.51, 66.08, 75.74, and 74.86% in GIII, GIV, GV, GVI, and GVII, respectively. The gastric mucin content was significantly better attenuated by 95.7 in GIII compared to its content in GI. Lansoprazole increased mucin content by 80.3%, which was considerably lower than SP and SFP. SP, KF, KP, SFP, and Lansoprazole improved the reform of gastric mucosal-increased secreted mucus by 95.6, 61.3, 64.8, 103.1, and 80.2% in GIII, GIV, GV, GVI, and GVII, respectively. Interestingly, SFP efficiently increased vit. B12 level by 46.0% compared to other treatments. While Lansoprazole administrating did not significantly attenuate vit. B12 level. The SP and SFP improved iron and Hemoglobin (HB) levels depending on treatment. SP, KF, KP, and SFP significantly decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in blood and stomach tissues. The most potent effect was observed with SP, and SFP was even better than Lansoprazole. Histopathologically, treating rats with SP extract showed a marked reduction of gastric damage and severity changes induced by indomethacin. KP was much better than KF in lessening gastric histopathological damages caused by indomethacin. SFP significantly alleviates gastric histopathological alterations. The lansoprazole-treated group (GVII) greatly relieved the gastric histopathological changes and recorded mild focal necrosis and desquamation of the mucosa in addition to mild oedema in the serosal layer. In conclusion, the presented results proved the antiulcer potential of SP and A. chinensis extracts against an indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats, which may be due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammation efficiency. Thus, these data suggested that SP, KF, KP, and SFP extracts as natural and safe alternatives have a gastroprotective potential against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration. The antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties are probable mechanisms.

Antioxidant Activity, Phenolic Profile, and Nephroprotective Potential of Anastatica hierochuntica Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts against CCl4-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats.

Kaff-e-Maryam (Anastatica hierochuntica L.) is extensively used to treat a range of health problems, most notably to ease childbirth and alleviate reproductive system-related disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of A. hierochuntica ethanolic (KEE), and aqueous (KAE) extracts on CCl4-induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in rats using the biochemical markers for renal functions and antioxidant status as well as histopathological examinations of kidney tissue. A. hierochuntica contained 67.49 mg GAE g-1 of total phenolic compounds (TPC), 3.51 µg g-1 of total carotenoids (TC), and 49.78 and 17.45 mg QE g-1 of total flavonoids (TF) and total flavonols (TFL), respectively. It resulted in 128.71 µmol of TE g-1 of DPPH-RSA and 141.92 µmol of TE g-1 of ABTS-RSA. A. hierochuntica presented superior antioxidant activity by inhibiting linoleic acid radicals and chelating oxidation metals. The HPLC analysis resulted in 9 and 21 phenolic acids and 6 and 2 flavonoids in KEE and KAE with a predominance of sinapic and syringic acids, respectively. Intramuscular injection of vit. E + Se and oral administration of KEE, KAE, and KEE + KAE at 250 mg kg-1 body weight significantly restored serum creatinine, urea, K, total protein, and albumin levels. Additionally, they reduced malondialdehyde (MOD), restored reduced-glutathione (GSH), and enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. KEE, KAE, and KEE + KAE protected the kidneys from CCl4-nephrotoxicity as they mainly attenuated induced oxidative stress. Total nephroprotection was about 83.27%, 97.62%, and 78.85% for KEE, KAE, and KEE + KAE, respectively. Both vit. E + Se and A. hierochuntica extracts attenuated the histopathological alteration in CCl4-treated rats. In conclusion, A. hierochuntica, especially KAE, has the potential capability to restore oxidative stability and improve kidney function after CCl4 acute kidney injury better than KEE. Therefore, A. hierochuntica has the potential to be a useful therapeutic agent in the treatment of drug-induced nephrotoxicity.

The Role of Supportive Food Environments to Enable Healthier Choices When Eating Meals Prepared Outside the Home: Findings from Focus Groups of 18 to 30-Year-Olds.

Young adults are the highest consumers of food prepared outside home, which has been linked to weight gain. The aim of this qualitative research was to gather opinions from young adults about what influences their food choice when eating out and if they so desired, what might enable healthy choices. Thirty-one adults aged 18 to 30 years participated in four focus groups (females = 24). Predetermined questions were used to guide discussions which were audiotaped then transcribed. The content was organized into themes and sub-themes using NVivo software. Two broad groupings arose-personal behaviors and changes to physical and social food environments. For many, eating out was viewed as a special occasion so that healthy food was not a priority and despite understanding health consequences of poor diets this was not an immediate concern. Price discounts and menu-labelling were suggested and trust in credible organizations and peers' endorsement of meals and venues expressed. The role of smartphones in the modern food environment emerged as a tool to enable immediate access to many restaurants to order food and access reviews and social media as a source of persuasive food imagery. Current menu-labelling initiatives should continue, food pricing be explored and influence of smartphones on diet further researched. However, these findings may be limited by the high proportion of women and higher socioeconomic status and urban residence of many participants.

Frequency Of Common Bacteria And Their Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern In Diabetics Presenting With Foot Ulcer.

BACKGROUND: Foot ulcers are one of the most important complications of diabetes mellitus and often lead to lower limb amputation. Diabetic foot ulcers are susceptible to infection. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of common bacteria infecting these ulcers and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in the Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from April, 2011 to February, 2012. Specimens collected from ulcers of 131 patients were inoculated on Blood Agar and MacConkey Agar, and antibiotic sensitivity was tested using standard disc diffusion method. RESULTS: Out of 131, specimens from 120 patients yielded 176 bacteria. Sixty-six patients had monomicrobial infection while polymicrobial growth was obtained in 54 patients. Overall, Staphylococcus aureus (38.6%) was the most common isolate followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (27.3%). Staphylococcus aureus was most often sensitive to Moxifloxacin, Imipenem/Meropenem, Vancomycin and Linezolid while it showed varying sensitivity to Penicillins and Cephalosporins. 47.1% isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to Methicillin. Most of the gram negative rods were sensitive to Imipenem/Meropenem, Piperacillin-Tazobactam and Ticarcillin-Clavulanate. Majority of gram negative bacteria were found resistant to Cephalosporins and Moxifloxacin except Pseudomonas which showed variable sensitivity to Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime and Moxifloxacin. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of isolates were found resistant to the commonly used antibiotics. Most commonly isolated bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus was most often sensitive to Moxifloxacin, Imipenem/Meropenem, Vancomycin and Linezolid, while majority isolated gram negative rods were sensitive to Imipenem/Meropenem, Piperacillin-Tazobactam and Ticarcillin-Clavulanate.