Effects on performance of ground wheat with or without insoluble fiber or whole wheat in sequential feeding for laying hens.

Sequential feeding (SF) is an innovative system for laying hens consisting of nutrients separating energy, protein, and calcium supplies to fulfill nutrient requirements at the relevant time of day. In previous studies, hens received whole wheat in the morning and a balancer diet (rich in protein and calcium) in the afternoon. To improve SF utilization, the aim was to substitute whole wheat in the morning by an alternative energy supply: ground wheat and ground corn, with or without a proportion of whole wheat and insoluble fiber. The goal was to obtain the advantages observed in previous experiments with whole wheat [bigger gizzard, thinner hens, reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR)]. Four hundred thirty-two ISA Brown hens were housed in collective cages from 20 to 35 wk of age divided into 8 different treatments: a continuous control diet, a sequential diet with whole wheat in the morning, 3 wheat-based diets (ground wheat, ground wheat and 20% whole wheat, and ground wheat with 5% insoluble fiber) and 3 ground corn-based (ground corn, ground corn and 20% whole wheat, and ground corn with 5% insoluble fiber) provided in the morning. All sequential regimens received the same balancer diet rich in protein and calcium in the afternoon. Whole wheat SF gave the best results with an improved FCR compared with continuous control and all other SF diets. Wheat- and corn-based diets showed intermediate results between whole wheat SF and continuous feeding. Gizzard weight was higher and hens were lighter than with conventional continuous feeding, leading to an average FCR improvement of 3.2% compared with a continuous control. Thus, it is possible in SF diets to substitute, at least partially, whole wheat by ground wheat or ground corn with added insoluble fiber or some whole wheat, allowing more flexibility and economic optimization.

Sequential feeding using whole wheat and a separate protein-mineral concentrate improved feed efficiency in laying hens.

The effect of feeding nutritionally different diets in sequential or loose-mix systems on the performance of laying hen was investigated from 16 to 46 wk of age. Equal proportions of whole wheat grain and protein-mineral concentrate (balancer diet) were fed either alternatively (sequential) or together (loose-mix) to ISA Brown hens. The control was fed a complete layer diet conventionally. Each treatment was allocated 16 cages and each cage contained 5 birds. Light was provided 16 h daily (0400 to 2000 h). Feed offered was controlled (121 g/bird per d) and distributed twice (4 and 11 h after lights-on). In the sequential treatment, only wheat was fed at first distribution, followed by balancer diet at the second distribution. In loose-mix, the 2 rations were mixed and fed together during the 2 distributions. Leftover feed was always removed before the next distribution. Sequential feeding reduced total feed intake when compared with loose-mix and control. It had lower wheat (-9 g/bird per d) but higher balancer (+1.7 g/bird per d) intakes than loose-mix. Egg production, egg mass, and egg weight were similar among treatments. This led to an improvement in efficiency of feed utilization in sequential compared with loose-mix and control (10 and 5%, respectively). Birds fed sequentially had lower calculated ME (kcal/bird per d) intake than those fed in loose-mix and control. Calculated CP (g/bird per d) intake was reduced in sequential compared with loose-mix and control. Sequentially fed hens were lighter in BW. However, they had heavier gizzard, pancreas, and liver. Similar liver lipid was observed among treatments. Liver glycogen was higher in loose-mix than the 2 other treatments. It was concluded that feeding whole wheat and balancer diet, sequentially or loosely mixed, had no negative effect on performance in laying hens. Thus, the 2 systems are alternative to conventional feeding. The increased efficiency of feed utilization in sequential feeding is an added advantage compared with loose-mix and thus could be employed in situations where it is practicable.

Adaptation of wheat and protein-mineral concentrate intakes by individual hens fed ad libitum in sequential or in loose-mix systems.

1. Feed intake and performance of birds given sequential or loose-mix feeding was investigated from 19 to 42 weeks of age. A complete diet was fed as control (C). A balancer diet (50) was fed either sequentially (S50) or in a loose-mix (L50) with wheat. This diet was formulated to provide a similar nutritive value as C assuming a 50 : 50 diet and wheat intake. Another balancer diet (25) was fed sequentially (S25) or in a loose-mix (L25) with wheat. The diet was to provide a similar nutritive value as C assuming 75 : 25 diet and wheat intakes. In sequential feeding, only wheat was fed in the morning (4 h after lights-on) and the balancer diet in the late afternoon (4 h before lights-off). In the loose-mix treatment, a mixture of the two diets was fed throughout the 16-h daily light. Each treatment was given ad libitum to 25 birds in individual cages. 2. Birds fed on L25 had lower total feed intakes than those receiving C, S50 or S25. Protein intake was reduced with L25 compared to C, S50, S25 and L50. Metabolisable energy (ME) intake was, however, similar among all treatments. Egg production and weight were reduced with L25 compared to S50 and S25. Body weight (BW) was lowered with L25. However, there was high individual variation in all variables. 3. Feeding system (sequential vs loose-mix) had no effect on ME intake. However, the loose-mix treatment reduced feed and protein intake due to lower balancer diet intake. It also resulted in low egg production, egg and BWs compared to sequential feeding. The weights of pancreas and gizzard were heavier with sequential and loose-mix compared to the control. 4. The loose-mix treatment reduced egg-laying performance. Sequential feeding resulted in similar egg-laying performance to conventional feeding and thus could be used to advantage in situations where it is applicable.

Remission of mild to moderate hypertension after treatment with carteolol, a beta-adrenoceptor blocker with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.

Previous studies have indicated that some hypertensive patients, following a period of effective treatment with certain antihypertensive drugs, may experience prolonged normotension after drug withdrawal. We have studied the ability of carteolol, a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, to produce such remissions of hypertension. Thirty-four patients whose diastolic blood pressure was controlled at 90 mm Hg or less with carteolol monotherapy (2.5 to 5.0 mg/d for an average of 328 days) were randomized to a nine-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled drug-withdrawal trial. Those patients randomized to continue carteolol therapy had initially responded to carteolol treatment with reduction in blood pressure from 151 +/- 4/99 +/- 2 to 132 +/- 4/80 +/- 2 mm Hg. Those randomized to treatment with placebo had initially responded with blood pressure reductions from 154 +/- 4/97 +/- 2 to 137 +/- 4/81 +/- 2 mm Hg. Changes in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg +/- SEM) from baseline during carteolol therapy to the final visit at nine months were not different for patients receiving placebo (13 +/- 5/6 +/- 4 mm Hg, recumbent; 11 +/- 6/4 mm Hg, standing) or carteolol (11 +/- 5/7 +/- 3 mm Hg, recumbent; 12 +/- 6/7 +/- 3 mm Hg, standing). The final mean recumbent diastolic blood pressure (86.9 mm Hg) was the same in both groups. Prolonged normotension may follow a period of carteolol treatment, again suggesting the potential importance of periodic withdrawal of antihypertensive medication.

Modulation of energy and protein supplies in sequential feeding in laying hens.

Sequential feeding (SF) consists of splitting energy (E) and protein/calcium (P) fractions temporally, improving the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of hens compared with a continuous distribution during the day. In a previous study, the E fraction (with a low level of protein) was provided in the morning, whereas the P fraction (with low level of energy) was given in the afternoon. However, there is no clear evidence that a requirement in energy or proteins is connected to these distribution sequences, whereas the requirement for calcium is known to be required in the afternoon. To evaluate the effects on performances of the modulation of energy and protein supplies in SF, five different sequential treatments were offered: E0P0/E0P0; E+P+/E-P-; E+P-/E-P+; E0P+/E0P- and E+P0/E-P0 where E+ represents a high energy level, E0 a moderate one and E- a low one (with the same meaning for P regarding protein supply). Afternoon fractions were provided with particulate calcium. A total of 168 Hendrix hens were housed in individual cages from 20 to 39 weeks of age in two environmentally contrasted rooms. Feed intake in the morning and afternoon fractions, egg production, egg weight, BW and weight of digestive organs were recorded. No diet effect was observed concerning feed intake, egg production and BW. These results suggested that hens are not able to fit their feed intake on energy or protein level of fractions within half-day duration, whereas at the day scale same protein and energy intakes were observed. Moreover, the time of nutrient distribution in feeding did not seem to have an impact on birds' performances. These studies have also demonstrated that, despite strong environmental pressure, the hens with SF had attenuated performance but continue to produce eggs.

Prolonged hemodynamic benefits from a high-dose bolus injection of human atrial natriuretic factor in congestive heart failure.

The physiologic and potential pharmacologic roles of atrial natriuretic factor in congestive heart failure have remained confusing. We have evaluated the hemodynamic responses to human atrial natriuretic factor [ANF (102-126)] given as bolus intravenous doses of 2.0 or 4.5 micrograms/kg to 12 patients with congestive heart failure. Responses were monitored with pulmonary and systemic arterial catheters in place. By 30 minutes after 4.5 micrograms/kg ANF (n = 6), heart rate decreased from 97 +/- 16 to 91 +/- 15 beats/min, right atrial pressure from 14 +/- 4 to 12 +/- 3 mm Hg, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure from 33 +/- 3 to 23 +/- 2 mm Hg (all p less than 0.05); responses persisted for 120 minutes. Mean arterial pressure, cardiac index, stroke volume index, and pulmonic and systemic vascular resistances did not change significantly. The 2.0 micrograms/kg ANF dose produced similar responses, but only heart rate and right atrial pressure decreased significantly. No clinically important side effects were noted. High-dose ANF bolus doses can be administered simply and safely and improve hemodynamic parameters in chronic heart failure. Therefore ANF does have pharmacologic activity in heart failure and may have therapeutic potential.

Comparison of nitrendipine and hydrochlorothiazide for systemic hypertension.

Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy with associated LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction is frequently found in patients with systemic hypertension, and is multifactorial in origin. Although a reduction in blood pressure (BP) often results in regression of hypertrophy, the pharmacologic profiles of the antihypertensive agents used may determine the probability of such regression despite similar levels of BP reduction. Thiazide diuretic drugs may actually result in increased LV hypertrophy; calcium channel antagonists may cause regression or no change. The effects of treatment with nitrendipine (20 mg/day) or hydrochlorothiazide (50 mg/day) were compared in an 8-week, double-blind study of 18 hypertensive subjects aged 50 years or older. BP was significantly reduced (p less than 0.05) by both nitrendipine (from 161 +/- 29/102 +/- 4 to 145 +/- 24/92 +/- 7 mm Hg; mean +/- standard deviation) and hydrochlorothiazide (from 162 +/- 15/105 +/- 6 to 143 +/- 20/95 +/- 7 mm Hg). Plasma norepinephrine increased in the nitrendipine group, from 202 +/- 110 to 332 +/- 220 pg/ml at 8 weeks of therapy and in the hydrochlorothiazide group, from 147 +/- 130 to 313 +/- 277. Plasma renin activity changed from 3.2 +/- 2.4 to 3.5 +/- 2.1 during nitrendipine treatment, but from 2.1 +/- 2.1 to 10.5 +/- 10.8 ng angiotensin l/ml/90 min (p less than 0.05) during treatment with hydrochlorothiazide. Left ventricular mass index did not change significantly with either therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carteolol, an antihypertensive beta-blocker with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, reduces ECG evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Effective treatment of chronic hypertension may be accompanied by a decrease, increase, or no change in the extent of LVH, depending on the pharmacologic properties of the antihypertensive agents employed. Unlike beta-adrenoceptor blockers without ISA, beta-adrenoceptor blockers with ISA have been reported to increase left ventricular mass despite favorable reductions in blood pressure. To assess further the potential effect of ISA on LVH, we retrospectively evaluated the effect of carteolol, a nonspecific beta-adrenoceptor antagonist with strong ISA, upon ECG evidence of LVH. In 12 patients with LVH, carteolol treatment for one year reduced mean arterial blood pressures from 120 +/- 2 mm Hg to 100 +/- 2 mm Hg and mean hypertrophy scores from 5.2 +/- 0.6 to 2.6 +/- 0.8. Therefore, ISA does not preclude the regression of ECG evidence of LVH during the treatment of hypertension.

Comparative effects of nitrendipine and hydrochlorothiazide on calciotropic hormones and bone density in hypertensive patients.

The effects of the calcium antagonist nitrendipine and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide on plasma calciotropic hormone concentrations and lumbar bone density were compared during the treatment of hypertension in a randomized, double-blind, 8 week parallel study, followed by a 52 week open label study. There were 32 subjects with stable essential hypertension (sitting diastolic blood pressure > or = 95 mm Hg and < or = 115 mm Hg without medication) without evidence of renal insufficiency or active heart disease. They were randomly assigned to receive either 10 mg nitrendipine twice daily or 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide daily. In order to reach and maintain target blood pressure (diastolic blood pressure < or = 95 mm Hg) during the open label period, the nitrendipine dose was titrated up to 30 mg twice daily, and additional antihypertensive drugs, of differing classes, were added as necessary. Blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of calcium, parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin, and lumbar bone density was determined by dual photon absorptiometry, at the baseline and at 24 and 52 weeks of antihypertensive drug therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Intravenous captopril in congestive heart failure.

Hemodynamic and neurohumoral effects of intravenous captopril were studied in ten patients with severe chronic congestive heart failure (NYHA Functional Class III and IV). Incremental bolus doses of captopril, titrated to a maximum cumulative dose of 15 mg, were given at 10-minute intervals. Systemic arterial pressure, mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, systemic vascular resistance, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and heart rate decreased (P less than .05). Cardiac index and stroke volume index increased (P less than .05). Maximum hemodynamic effects occurred after cumulative doses of 7 mg and were seen within 30 minutes after initiation of therapy; responses persisted for 30-90 minutes after the last dose. Plasma renin activity increased, and plasma atrial natriuretic factor concentration decreased. No adverse effects were observed with the use of intravenous captopril. Thus, intravenous captopril produces rapid and favorable hemodynamic improvement in advanced heart failure patients.

Efficacy of nicardipine in angina pectoris.

The dose-related efficacy and safety of nicardipine, a new calcium antagonist of the dihydropyridine class, was assessed by exercise tolerance testing in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study in 19 patients with chronic, stable effort angina pectoris. Four patients were assigned to each of four treatment sequences receiving nicardipine three times daily in an extended Latin-Square study design. An increase in total exercise capacity, time to onset of angina and time to 1 mm ST segment depression was observed with nicardipine 90 mg/day compared to placebo (P less than .05). Gradual upward dose titration in 30 mg/day increments starting from 30 mg/day appeared to produce maximal increase in exercise capacity. Two patients developed adverse side effects attributable to the drug when administered nicardipine 90 mg/day directly from placebo.

The influence of dose of angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor on systolic blood pressure variability in heart failure: a substudy of the Assessment of Treatment with Lisinopril and Survival in heart failure (ATLAS) trial.

UNLABELLED: Heart failure is associated with a decreased variability in circadian systolic blood pressure. ACE inhibitors have been shown to be beneficial in CHF. However, the effect of the magnitude of the dose of ACE inhibitor on blood pressure variability has not been reported. The objective of this sub-study of the ATLAS trial was to determine if there was a difference in effect on systolic blood pressure variability of two doses (35mg, 'high'; and, 5mg, 'low') of the ACE inhibitor, lisinopril, in patients with heart failure (class II-IV; NYHA). Criteria for inclusion were: symptomatic heart failure (class II-IV; NYHA), left ventricular ejection fraction < or = 30%, and 2 months of conventional therapy with diuretics with, or without, digoxin. Twenty-four hour ambulatory blood pressure was recorded prior to randomization and after peak titration (4 weeks) of the study drug for analysis of variability of systolic blood pressure variability. The high dose of lisinopril was associated with greater variability of 24 h systolic blood pressure as noted by inspection of the 24 h recordings or calculation of the blood pressure variability index (P < 0.05). The greater variability in SBP was not associated with a difference in mean 24 h arterial blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Variation in circadian systolic blood pressure is useful in reflecting the influence of the magnitude of dose of the ACE inhibitor lisinopril on the pharmacodynamics of patients with heart failure.

Sequential feeding programs for broiler chickens: twenty-four- and forty-eight-hour cycles.

Sequential feeding programs (Seq) of 2 feeds, 1 protein rich-energy poor and 1 energy rich-protein poor, during the same day or every other day were compared with a control complete diet for male broiler growth and body composition from 15 d to market weight. In experiment 1, BW gain and breast meat yield were significantly lower than those of controls for 24-h-cycle Seq with extreme protein content difference between the 2 feeds. BW gain and breast meat yield were higher than those of controls when feeds with moderate differences [feed moderately rich in protein (PM) = 26% CP; feed moderately rich in energy (EM) = 16% CP] were fed. Feeding periods that were half as long but changed twice as frequently gave less favorable results. In experiment 2, effects of allowing access to feed for different lengths of time were measured. The treatments in a 24-h cycle were a constant control diet, 50% PM-50% EM, 40% PM-60% EM, or 80% PM-20% EM decreasing to 40% PM-60% EM. Chickens fed 40% PM-60% EM had a 6% lower BW gain and a 3% higher feed/gain ratio and were fatter than those from other treatments. In experiment 3, male chickens fed a 48-h-cycle Seq of EM and PM every other day had the same BW gain, feed intake, and feed/gain ratio as controls. In experiment 4, five 48-h-cycle Seq with varying differences of energy and protein contents between EM and PM gave similar or slight reduction of performances compared with controls. A field trial with 8 flocks of broilers confirmed that feeding high and low protein feeds on alternate days resulted in performance similar to that from feeding a complete feed despite large day-to-day variations in lysine intake. Converse to shorter phases, Seq for 48-h cycles offers new opportunities for practical application and also for studies of short-term regulation of protein and lipid metabolism in chickens.

Circadian variation in blood pressure and heart rate in nonhypertensive congestive heart failure.

This study was designed to determine whether decreases in the circadian variability of arterial blood pressure and heart rate measured in ambulatory patients would correlate with neurohumoral indices of the severity of congestive heart failure not the result of systemic arterial hypertension, and whether treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors would restore a more normal pattern. The study also examined the ability of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to discern pharmacodynamic patterns in patients with congestive heart failure, which is associated with decreased variability in circadian variations in blood pressure and heart rate among hospitalized patients. Increased plasma norepinephrine, renin activity, and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) have a positive correlation with worsening clinical status. ACE inhibitors have been found to be beneficial in the treatment of congestive heart failure. Ambulatory 24-h blood pressure and neurohumoral measurements were recorded in 30 patients with congestive heart failure (class II-IV, New York Heart Association) before treatment with lisinopril or captopril and repeated after 6 weeks of treatment. Fourier analysis was used as a curve-smoothing technique to compare the pharmacodynamics of the two ACE inhibitors. The absolute amplitude of systolic blood pressure correlated inversely with plasma norepinephrine and ANP (p = 0.004) but not with renin activity. Mean 24-h systemic arterial blood pressure did not decrease significantly after treatment with ACE inhibitors. An increase in absolute amplitude of systolic blood pressure correlated inversely with baseline amplitude (p < 0.00001). Inspection of the Fourier-smoothed curves demonstrated differences in the circadian effect of lisinopril and captopril on systolic blood pressure and rate-pressure product. Ambulatory 24-h blood pressure monitoring may prove useful in the assessment of the severity and treatment of congestive heart failure.

Hemodynamic and neurohumoral responses to intravenous nicorandil in congestive heart failure in humans.

Nicorandil is a vasodilator drug that combines potassium channel opening properties with nitrate effects. The resulting potent and unique vasodilating properties suggest a potential therapeutic role in congestive heart failure. We therefore studied the acute hemodynamic and neurohumoral responses to nicorandil, given as single intravenous bolus doses of 158, 251, 398, or 630 micrograms/kg, to 22 patients with chronic congestive heart failure (ejection fraction less than 40%). Hemodynamic responses occurred within 5 min of dosing and terminated within 240 min. The heart rate was significantly increased only at 5 min after the 158 micrograms/kg dose, and was unchanged after all other doses. The mean arterial pressure was reduced only by the 398 and 630 micrograms/kg doses. The pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and right atrial pressure were significantly reduced by all doses within the initial 30 min; this reduction in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was better sustained over time by the two larger doses, whereas the reduction in right atrial pressure was sustained only by the 158 micrograms/kg dose. The cardiac index was reduced by the 158 micrograms/kg dose, but increased after 251, 398, and 630 micrograms/kg of nicorandil. Plasma nicorandil concentrations were positively correlated with changes in cardiac index, systemic arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, heart rate, and systemic vascular resistance. When measured 1 h after dosing, plasma immunoreactive ANF decreased, norepinephrine concentrations did not change, and plasma renin activity increased, but only at the 630 micrograms/kg dose level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)