GSK3 regulation Wnt/ß-catenin signaling affects adipogenesis in bovine skeletal muscle fibro/adipogenic progenitors.

Clarifying the cellular origin and regulatory mechanisms of intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition is crucial for improving beef quality. Here, we used single-nucleus RNA sequencing to analyze the structure and heterogeneity of skeletal muscle cell populations in different developmental stages of Yanbian cattle and identified eight cell types in two developmental stages of calves and adults. Among them, fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) expressing CD29 (ITGA7)pos and CD56 (NCAM1)neg surface markers were committed to IMF deposition in beef cattle and expressed major Wnt ligands and receptors. LY2090314/XAV-939 was used to activate/inhibit Wnt/ß-catenin signal. The results showed that the blockade of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (GSK3) by LY2090314 promoted the stabilization of ß-catenin and reduced the expression of genes related adipogenic differentiation (e.g., PPARγ and C/EBPα) in bovine FAPs, confirming the anti-adipogenic effect of GSK3. XAV-939 inhibition of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway promoted the lipid accumulation capacity of FAPs. Furthermore, we found that blocking GSK3 enhanced the paracrine effects of FAPs-MuSCs and increased myotube formation in muscle satellite cells (MuSCs). Overall, our results outline a single-cell atlas of skeletal muscle development in Yanbian cattle, revealed the role of Wnt/GSK3/ß-catenin signaling in FAPs adipogenesis, and provide a theoretical basis for further regulation of bovine IMF deposition.

Analysis of E2E Delay and Wiring Harness in In-Vehicle Network with Zonal Architecture.

With recent advances in vehicle technologies, in-vehicle networks (IVNs) and wiring harnesses are becoming increasingly complex. To solve these challenges, the automotive industry has adopted a new zonal-based IVN architecture (ZIA) that connects electronic control units (ECUs) according to their physical locations. In this paper, we evaluate how the number of zones in the ZIA affects the end-to-end (E2E) delay and the characteristics of the wiring harnesses. We evaluate the impact of the number of zones on E2E delay through the OMNeT++ network simulator. In addition, we theoretically predict and analyze the impact of the number of zones on the wiring harnesses. Specifically, we use an asymptotic approach to analyze the total length and weight evolution of the wiring harnesses in ZIAs with 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 zones by incrementally increasing the number of ECUs. We find that as the number of zones increases, the E2E delay increases, but the total length and weight of the wiring harnesses decreases. These results confirm that the ZIA effectively uses the wiring harnesses and mitigates network complexity within the vehicle.

Analysis of current technology status for the industrialization of cultured meat.

Cultured meat is expected to become an important material for future food production; however, contrary to initial expectations, the full-scale industrialization of cultured meat is slow and the actual level and opened technology amount is very limited. This study reviews the publicly available technologies of cultured meat and suggests future developmental directions and research agenda. As a result of analyzing papers, patents, and press releases published over the past 10 years, it was found that cultured meat production technology is still at the prototype production level. This is because most papers published are about culture medium and scaffold development, culture conditions, and there is almost no research on finished cultured meat products. Worldwide, most of the filed patents are for producing cultured meat principles; most of them do not use food-grade materials and are not economically feasible for industrialization. Therefore, future research on the industrialization of cultured meat should focus on effective acquisition technologies for satellite cells; cell lineage and undifferentiated state maintenance technologies; the development of serum-free media and culture devices; the prevention of genetic modification, safety verification, and mass production. Furthermore, basic research on mechanisms and influencing factors related to cultured meat production is warranted.

Conservation of Endangered Cordyceps sinensis Through Artificial Cultivation Strategies of C. militaris, an Alternate.

Cordyceps, an entomopathogenic fungus belonging to the Ascomycota phylum, is a familiar remedial mushroom that is extensively used in the traditional medicinal system, especially in South Asian nations. The significance of this genus' members in a range of therapeutic and biotechnological applications has long been acknowledged. The exceedingly valuable fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Cordyceps sinensis) is found in the alpine meadows of Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, and India, where it is severely harvested. Driven by market demand and ecological concerns, the study highlights challenges in natural C. sinensis collection and emphasizes the shift towards sustainable artificial cultivation methods. This in-depth review navigates Cordyceps cultivation strategies, focusing on C. sinensis and the viable alternative, C. militaris. The escalating demand for Cordyceps fruiting bodies and bioactive compounds prompts a shift toward sustainable artificial cultivation. While solid-state fermentation on brown rice remains a traditional method, liquid culture, especially submerged and surface/static techniques, emerges as a key industrial approach, offering shorter cultivation periods and enhanced cordycepin production. The review accentuates the adaptability and scalability of liquid culture, providing valuable insights for large-scale Cordyceps production. The future prospects of Cordyceps cultivation require a holistic approach, combining scientific understanding, technological innovation, and sustainable practices to meet the demand for bioactive metabolites while ensuring the conservation of natural Cordyceps populations.

Review on impacts of micro- and nano-plastic on aquatic ecosystems and mitigation strategies.

The rapid proliferation of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in our environment presents a formidable hazard to both biotic and abiotic components. These pollutants originate from various sources, including commercial production and the breakdown of larger plastic particles. Widespread contamination of the human body, agroecosystems, and animals occurs through ingestion, entry into the food chain, and inhalation. Consequently, the imperative to devise innovative methods for MPs and NPs remediation has become increasingly apparent. This review explores the current landscape of strategies proposed to mitigate the escalating threats associated with plastic waste. Among the array of methods in use, microbial remediation emerges as a promising avenue for the decomposition and reclamation of MPs and NPs. In response to the growing concern, numerous nations have already implemented or are in the process of adopting regulations to curtail MPs and NPs in aquatic habitats. This paper aims to address this gap by delving into the environmental fate, behaviour, transport, ecotoxicity, and management of MPs and NPs particles within the context of nanoscience, microbial ecology, and remediation technologies. Key findings of this review encompass the intricate interdependencies between MPs and NPs and their ecosystems. The ecological impact, from fate to ecotoxicity, is scrutinized in light of the burgeoning environmental imperative. As a result, this review not only provides an encompassing understanding of the ecological ramifications of MPs and NPs but also highlights the pressing need for further research, innovation, and informed interventions.

Effects of Fermented Artemisia annua L. and Salicornia herbacea L. on Inhibition of Obesity In Vitro and In Mice.

Plant extracts including secondary metabolites have anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity activities. This study was conducted to investigate the anti-obesity properties of fermented Artemisia annua (AW) and Salicornia herbacea (GW) in vitro and in mice. The metabolite profiling of AW and GW extracts was performed using UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS/MS, and gene expression was analyzed using real-time PCR for adipocyte difference factors. The anti-obesity effects in mice were measured using serum AST, ALT, glucose, TG, and cholesterol levels. Metabolites of the plant extracts after fermentation showed distinct differences with increasing anti-obesity active substances. The efficacy of inhibitory differentiation adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes was better for GW than AW in a concentration-dependent manner. RT-PCR showed that the GW extract significantly reduced the expression of genes involved in adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation (C/EBPα, PPARγ, and Fas). In C57BL/6 mice fed the HFD, the group supplemented with AW and GW showed reduced liver weight, NAS value, and fatty liver by suppressing liver fat accumulation. The GW group significantly reduced ALT, blood glucose, TG, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol. This study displayed significant metabolite changes through biotransformation in vitro and the increasing anti-obesity effects of GW and AW in mice. GW may be applicable as functional additives for the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Bovine muscle satellite cells in calves and cattle: A comparative study of cellular and genetic characteristics for cultivated meat production.

This study compared the cellular and genetic characteristics of bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) from Hanwoo (a Korean native cattle breed), including calves and mature cattle. SMSCs were isolated using magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) from tissue samples of six Hanwoo (three calves and three mature cattle) using the CD29 antibody. Calves' SMSCs exhibited significantly faster growth rates than did those from cattle (P < 0.01), with a doubling time of 2.43 days. Genetic analysis revealed higher MyoD and Pax7 expression in SMSCs from calves during proliferation than in those from mature cattle (P < 0.001). However, FASN and PLAG1 expression levels were higher in mature cattle than in calves during both proliferation and differentiation (P < 0.001). These findings highlight the need for strategies to improve bovine muscle cell growth to produce competitive cultivated meat at a competitive price.

A holistic approach toward development of plant-based meat alternatives through incorporation of novel microalgae-based ingredients.

This study explored the changes in the physiochemical, textural, sensory, and functional characteristics of plant-based meat (PBM) after incorporating novel plant-based ingredients including spirulina (SPI), duck Weed (DW), and yellow Chlorella (YC). In the chromaticity evaluation, the YC group (YCI YC2, and YC3%) displayed significant differences (p < 0.05) in lightness (L*) indices as compared to the control. Whereas, based on concertation gradient of SPI microalgae (SP0.5, SP0.7, and SP1%) incorporated into PBM patties demonstrated that SPI 1 had the lowest values (p < 0.05) in redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) followed by SPI 0.7 and SPI 0.5% concentration, respectively. The concentration gradient of the YC group indicated that YC3 was intended to be the highest crude fat value followed by YC2 and YCI. The ash content in PBM patties increased considerably (p < 0.05) as the concentration level of microalgae advanced in all treated groups. Based on the concentration level of YC incorporated microalgae into PBM patties indicated that YC 3 had the highest (p < 0.05) gumminess and chewiness while YC 1 had the lowest reported values in terms of gumminess and chewiness. Moreover, springiness and cohesiveness showed considerable differences between SPI and YC groups. In the sensory evaluation, SPI 1 showed the lowest value only in color and appearance (p < 0.05), conversely, the other sensory parameters were non-significant among all treatment groups (p > 0.05). The micronutrient in PBM presented an irregular pattern after incorporating various ingredients. However, levels were higher (p < 0.05) in the DW group (DW 0.5 DW 0.7, and DW% 1) than those in the other groups. Moreover, the SPI and YC groups showed detectable levels of diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity with, SP 1 showing the highest level of antioxidant activity. Acknowledging the limited research on PBM production, extraction technologies, and selecting various novel suitable ingredients in meat substitutes. Hence, to fill this knowledge gap an attempt has been made to incorporate various concentrations of microalgae including SPI, YC, and DW to enhance the quality and functionality of meat alternatives. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that describes the physiochemical, textural, sensory, and nutritional attributes of PBM incorporated with novel microalgae. Collectively these results indicate that the incorporation of SPI, DW, and YC may improve the quality of PBM without showing deleterious outcomes on the quality and functionality of the ultimate PBM products.

Current technologies, regulation, and future perspective of animal product analogs - A review.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the recent development of meat analog, industrialization, and the related legal changes worldwide. Summarizing the current status of the industrialization of meat analog, studies on plant-based meat, mycoprotein, and edible insects were mainly conducted to investigate their sensory properties (texture, taste, flavor, and color resembling meat), nutritional and safety evaluations, acquisition method of meat alternatives, and commercialization. Cultured meat is mainly studied for developing muscle satellite cell acquisition and support techniques or materials for the formation of structures. However, these technologies have not reached the level for active industrialization. Even though there are differences in the food categories and labeling between countries, it is common to cause confusion or to relay false information to consumers; therefore, it is important to provide accurate information. In this study, there were some differences in the food classification and food definition (labeling) contents for each country and state depending on the product shape or form, raw materials, and ingredients. Therefore, this study can provide information about the current research available on meat alternatives, improve regulation, and clarify laws related to the meat analog industry, which can potentially grow alongside the livestock industry.

Subaqueous 3D stem cell spheroid levitation culture using anti-gravity bioreactor based on sound wave superposition.

BACKGROUND: Recently, various studies have revealed that 3D cell spheroids have several advantages over 2D cells in stem cell culture. However, conventional 3D spheroid culture methods have some disadvantages and limitations such as time required for spheroid formation and complexity of the experimental process. Here, we used acoustic levitation as cell culture platform to overcome the limitation of conventional 3D culture methods. METHODS: In our anti-gravity bioreactor, continuous standing sonic waves created pressure field for 3D culture of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). hMSCs were trapped and aggerated in pressure field and consequently formed spheroids. The structure, viability, gene and protein expression of spheroids formed in the anti-gravity bioreactor were analyzed by electron microscope, immunostaining, polymerase chain reaction, and western blot. We injected hMSC spheroids fabricated by anti-gravity bioreactor into the mouse hindlimb ischemia model. Limb salvage was quantified to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of hMSC spheroids. RESULTS: The acoustic levitation in anti-gravity bioreactor made spheroids faster and more compact compared to the conventional hanging drop method, which resulted in the upregulation of angiogenic paracrine factors of hMSCs, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin 2. Injected hMSCs spheroids cultured in the anti-gravity bioreactor exhibited improved therapeutic efficacy, including the degree of limb salvage, capillary formation, and attenuation of fibrosis and inflammation, for mouse hindlimb ischemia model compared to spheroids formed by the conventional hanging drop method. CONCLUSION: Our stem cell culture system using acoustic levitation will be proposed as a new platform for the future 3D cell culture system.

Out of Box Thinking to Tangible Science: A Benchmark History of 3D Bio-Printing in Regenerative Medicine and Tissues Engineering.

Advancements and developments in the 3D bioprinting have been promising and have met the needs of organ transplantation. Current improvements in tissue engineering constructs have enhanced their applications in regenerative medicines and other medical fields. The synergistic effects of 3D bioprinting have brought technologies such as tissue engineering, microfluidics, integrated tissue organ printing, in vivo bioprinted tissue implants, artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches together. These have greatly impacted interventions in medical fields, such as medical implants, multi-organ-on-chip models, prosthetics, drug testing tissue constructs and much more. This technological leap has offered promising personalized solutions for patients with chronic diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, and who have been in severe accidents. This review discussed the various standing printing methods, such as inkjet, extrusion, laser-assisted, digital light processing, and stereolithographic 3D bioprinter models, adopted for tissue constructs. Additionally, the properties of natural, synthetic, cell-laden, dECM-based, short peptides, nanocomposite and bioactive bioinks are briefly discussed. Sequels of several tissue-laden constructs such as skin, bone and cartilage, liver, kidney, smooth muscles, cardiac and neural tissues are briefly analyzed. Challenges, future perspectives and the impact of microfluidics in resolving the limitations in the field, along with 3D bioprinting, are discussed. Certainly, a technology gap still exists in the scaling up, industrialization and commercialization of this technology for the benefit of stakeholders.

Comparison of growth performance and related gene expression of muscle and fat from Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc and Woori black pigs.

The purpose of this study was to compare marbling score, meat quality, juiciness, sarcomere length, and skeletal muscle satellite cell (SMSC) growth and related gene expression between Woori black pig (WB) and the Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc (LYD) crossbreed at different body weights (b.w.). WB was developed to improve meat quality and growth efficiency by crossbreeding Duroc with Korean native black pig. A total of 24 pigs were sacrificed when their b.w. reached about 50, 75, 100, and 120 kg. SMSC were isolated from the femoris muscles, and muscle and adipose tissues were sampled from the middle and the subcutaneous part of the femoris of hind legs, respectively. Expression levels of genes including Myoblast determination protein 1 (MyoD), Paired box gene 3 (Pax3), Myosin heavy chain (MyHC), and Myogenin, which are responsible for the growth and development of SMSC, were higher in LYD than the WB. Muscle growth inhibitor myostatin (MSTN), however, was expressed more in WB compared to LYD (p < 0.01). Numbers of SMSC extracted from femoris muscle of LYD at 50, 75, 100, and 120 kg b.w. were 8.5 ± 0.223, 8.6 ± 0.245, 7.2 ± 0.249, and 10.9 ± 0.795, and those from WB were 6.2 ± 0.32, 6.2 ± 0.374, 5.3 ± 0.423, and 17.1 ± 0.315, respectively. Expression of adipogenic genes in adipose tissue including CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (CEBP)-ß, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, and fatty acid synthase (FASN), were greater in WB when compared with LYD (p < 0.01). Results from the current study suggest that different muscle cell numbers between 2 different breeds might be affected by related gene expression and this warrants further investigation on other growth factors regulating animal growth and development.

Physical Length and Weight Reduction of Humanoid In-Robot Network with Zonal Architecture.

Recently, with the continuous increase in the number of sensors, motors, actuators, radars, data processors and other components carried by humanoid robots, the integration of electronic components within a humanoid is also facing new challenges. Therefore, we focus on the development of sensor networks suitable for humanoid robots to designing an in-robot network (IRN) that can support a large sensor network for reliable data exchange. It was shown that the domain based in-vehicle network (IVN) architectures (DIA) used in the traditional and electric vehicles is gradually moving towards zonal IVN architectures (ZIA). Compared with DIA, ZIA for vehicles is known to provide better network scalability, maintenance convenience, shorter harness length, lighter harness weight, lower data transmission delay, and other several advantages. This paper introduces the structural differences between ZIRA and the domain based IRN architecture (DIRA) for humanoids. Additionally, it compares the differences in the length and weight of wiring harnesses of the two architectures. The results show that as the number of electrical components including sensors increases, ZIRA reduces at least 16% compared to DIRA, the wiring harness length, weight, and its cost.

Production and Analytical Aspects of Natural Pigments to Enhance Alternative Meat Product Color.

Color is a major feature that strongly influences the consumer's perception, selection, and acceptance of various foods. An improved understanding regarding bio-safety protocols, health welfare, and the nutritional importance of food colorants has shifted the attention of the scientific community toward natural pigments to replace their toxic synthetic counterparts. However, owing to safety and toxicity concerns, incorporating natural colorants directly from viable sources into plant-based meat (PBM) has many limitations. Nonetheless, over time, safe and cheap extraction techniques have been developed to extract the purified form of coloring agents from raw materials to be incorporated into PBM products. Subsequently, extracted anthocyanin has displayed compounds like Delphinidin-3-mono glucoside (D3G) at 3.1 min and Petunidin-3-mono glucoside (P3G) at 5.1 277, 515, and 546 nm at chromatographic lambda. Fe-pheophytin was successfully generated from chlorophyll through the ion exchange method. Likewise, the optical density (OD) of synthesized leghemoglobin (LegH) indicated that pBHA bacteria grow more rigorously containing ampicillin with a dilution factor of 10 after 1 h of inoculation. The potential LegH sequence was identified at 2500 bp through gel electrophoresis. The color coordinates and absorbance level of natural pigments showed significant differences (p < 0.05) with the control. The development of coloring agents originating from natural sources for PBM can be considered advantageous compared to animal myoglobin in terms of health and functionality. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to produce natural coloring agents for PBM by extracting and developing chlorophyll from spinach, extracting anthocyanins from black beans, and inserting recombinant plasmids into microorganisms to produce LegH.

Performance Evaluation of Zone-Based In-Vehicle Network Architecture for Autonomous Vehicles.

In recent years, various functions such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and infotainment systems are being mounted in vehicles for safety and convenience to drivers. Among the various functions, autonomous driving-related technologies are being added to all vehicles, from low options to high options. For autonomous driving, hundreds of new electronic control units (ECUs) including various advanced sensors would be needed. Adding more ECUs would enhance safety and convenience for the driver. On the other hand, wiring between these ECUs would be more complex and heavier. The wiring harness is essential for communication and power supply. Currently, the in-vehicle network (IVN) uses the domain-based IVN architecture (DIA) that separates ECUs into domains based on their functions. Recently, in order to minimize the complexity of wiring harness and IVN, zone-based IVN architecture (ZIA) that groups ECUs according to their physical locations is attracting attention. In this paper, we propose a new DIA and ZIA for autonomous driving in the context of time-sensitive networking (TSN). These two new IVN architectures are simulated using the OMNeT++ network simulator. In the simulation process, a mid-size vehicle is assumed. It is shown in this paper that ZIA not only reduces wiring harnesses in both lengths and weights by approximately 24.6% compared to the DIAs, but also reduces data transmission delay.

Biocompatibility of Veratric Acid-Encapsulated Chitosan/Methylcellulose Hydrogel: Biological Characterization, Osteogenic Efficiency with In Silico Molecular Modeling.

The limitations of graft material, and surgical sites for autografts in bone defects treatment have become a significant challenge in bone tissue engineering. Phytocompounds markedly affect bone metabolism by activating the osteogenic signaling pathways. The present study investigated the biocompatibility of the bio-composite thermo-responsive hydrogels consisting of chitosan (CS), and methylcellulose (MC) encapsulated with veratric acid (VA) as a restorative agent for bone defect treatment. The spectroscopy analyses confirmed the formation of CS/MC hydrogels and VA encapsulated CS/MC hydrogels (CS/MC-VA). Molecular analysis of the CS-specific MC decamer unit with VA complex exhibited a stable integration in the system. Further, Runx2 (runt-related transcription factor 2) was found in the docking mechanism with VA, indicating a high binding affinity towards the functional site of the Runx2 protein. The formulated CS/MC-VA hydrogels exhibited biocompatibility with the mouse mesenchymal stem cells, while VA promoted osteogenic differentiation in the stem cells, which was verified by calcium phosphate deposition through the von Kossa staining. The study results suggest that CS/MC-VA could be a potential therapeutic alternative source for bone regeneration.

The nutraceutical properties and health benefits of pseudocereals: a comprehensive treatise.

This review article depicts the possible replacement of staple cereal sources with some pseudocereals like Chia, Quinoa, Buckwheat, and Amaranth, which not only provide recommended daily allowance of all nutrients but also help to reduce the chances of many non-communicable infections owing to the presence of several bioactive compounds. These pseudocereals are neglected plant seeds and should be added in our routine diet. Besides, they can serve as nutraceuticals in combating various diseases by improving the health status of the consumers. The bioactive compounds like rutin, quercetin, peptide chains, angiotensin I, and many other antioxidants present in these plant seeds help to reduce the oxidative stress in the body which leads toward better health of the consumers. All these pseudocereals have high quantity of soluble fiber which helps to regulate bowel movement, control hypercholesterolemia (presence of high plasma cholesterol levels), hypertension (high blood pressure), and cardiovascular diseases. The ultimate result of consumption of pseudocereals either as a whole or in combination with true cereals as staple food may help to retain the integrity of the human body which increases the life expectancy by slowing down the aging process.

Effects of energy levels on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and fatty acid composition of Holstein steers at different slaughter ages.

We investigated the effect of energy levels on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and fatty acid composition of Holstein steers at different slaughter ages. Forty Holstein steers with an average body weight (BW) of 234.21 ± 7.42 kg and 7.78 ± 0.22 months were randomly allocated to two experimental groups; a 22-month-old experimental group and a 24-month-old experimental group. Total digestible nutrients (TDN) for each group were set to 70% (T1) and 72% (T2) during fattening phase and 74% (T3) and 76% (T4) for the finishing phase, respectively. No difference was observed in the final BW between the experimental groups during the fattening phase. However, in the finishing phase, the final BW of T4 (820.31 kg) group was significantly higher than that of T1 (745.57 kg; p < 0.05). The average daily gain (ADG) of T2 group in the finishing phase and overall period were 1.27 kg and 1.26 kg, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of T1 (1.11 kg and 1.12 kg; p < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) and TDN conversion ratio of T2 group in the finishing phase also decreased by 10.23% and 7.73%, respectively, compared to those of T1. The cold carcass weight of T4 group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of T1, whereas back fat thickness, longissimus area, and marbling score were not significantly different among groups. No differences were observed in physicochemical characteristics of the carcass including moisture, crude protein, and crude fat content among groups. However, the composition of fatty acids differed significantly between the groups. The content of C18:0 was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in T4 than in T1 group, and the content of C18:2 was higher in T4 than in T1 and T3 (p < 0.05). Therefore, feeding Holstein steers at a high-energy feeding level during the fattening and finishing phases improves ADG and reduces the slaughter age from 24 months to 22 months.

Protective effect of Euphorbia thymifolia and Euphorbia hirta against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to investigate the protective effect of Euphorbia thymifolia and Euphorbia hirta extracts on in vitro antioxidant activity and in vivo analysis on hepatic marker enzyme levels and histopathological changes in the liver of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study includes 42 adult male Albino Wistar rats randomly divided into seven treatment groups, including control (basal diet, G1), CCl4-induced single dose (1.5 ml/kg, i.p.) as the negative control (G2), G1 supplemented with 300 mg/kg of ethanol extract of E. thymifolia (G3) and E. hirta (G4), G2 supplemented with 300 mg/kg of ethanol extract of E. thymifolia (G5), E. hirta (G6), and silymarin (25 mg/kg b.w.) used as a standard drug (G7) for 21-days experimental period. RESULTS: The ethanolic extracts of E. thymifolia and E. hirta exhibited potential in vitro antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner (25 µg/ml, 50 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml, 200 µg/ml and 250 µg/ml). Oxidative stress caused by CCl4-induced the liver damage, including changes in liver marker enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase), enzymatic (superoxide dismutase and catalase), non-enzymatic antioxidants (lipid peroxides and glutathione) and hepatocellular alterations such as hydropic degeneration, irregular hepatocytes, and distention of the vein. Administration of E. thymifolia and E. hirta significantly (p < 0.05) restored the enzyme activity along with the histology of the liver. CONCLUSION: The results from the current study demonstrate that E. thymifolia and E. hirta have the property of restoring hepatic redox capacity and antioxidant activities against CCl4-induced acute liver damage.

Protective effects of biological feed additives on gut microbiota and the health of pigs exposed to deoxynivalenol: a review.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the most common mycotoxin contaminant of cereal-based food and animal feed. The toxicity of DON is very low compared to that of other toxins; however, the most prominent signs of DON exposure include inappetence and body weight loss, which causes considerable economic losses in the livestock industry. This review summarizes critical studies on biological DON mycotoxin mitigation strategies and the respective in vitro and in vivo intestinal effects. Focus areas include growth performance, gut health in terms of intestinal histomorphology, epithelial barrier functions, the intestinal immune system and microflora, and short-chain fatty acid production in the intestines. In addition, DON detoxification and modulation of these parameters, through biological supplements, are discussed. Biological detoxification of DON using microorganisms can attenuate DON toxicity by modulating gut microbiota and improving gut health with or without influencing the growth performance of pigs. However, the use of microorganisms as feed additives to livestock for mycotoxins detoxification needs more research before commercial use.