Effect of emulsifier and multicarbohydrase enzyme supplementation on performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler diets containing rapeseed meal.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of emulsifier and multicarbohydrase enzyme supplementation on performance, nutrient utilization, and apparent metabolizable energy-nitrogen (AMEN) value of broiler diets containing rapeseed meal (RSM) as well as their influence on the gut morphological structures, excretion of total and free sialic acid, and cecum concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in broiler chickens. A total of 384 male broiler chicks were assigned to four dietary treatments. The diet of the control treatment (CON) consisted of soybean, maize, and RSM (5% in starter, 7% in grower, 15% in finisher) with soybean and palm oils. The diets used for the experimental treatments were the control diet supplemented with an emulsifier (EMU), enzyme (ENZ), or both (EMU + ENZ). The duodenum (n = 10/treatment) and ileum (n = 10/treatment) digesta samples were assessed to determine nutrient digestibility: crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), starch, Ca. Throughout the experimental period, EMU + ENZ treatment indicated the lowest total average feed intake and feed conversion ratio, with the highest average weight gain among the studied treatments (P < 0.05). The EMU + ENZ treatment also resulted in higher (P < 0.05): apparent prececal digestibility (APD) of CP, total tract neutral detergent fibre (NDF) degradation, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of EE, villus height to crypt depth ratio (P < 0.1). The highest APD of EE was noted in the EMU treatment (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the AMEN values of the diets. A greater jejunum villi surface area was found in groups supplemented by enzyme compared to CON (P < 0.05). The EMU + ENZ treatment presented lower sialic acid excretion in the ileum and concentration of cecum SCFAs compared to the CON treatment (P < 0.05). The obtained results indicate that simultaneous usage of additives had beneficial effect on production parameters, nutrient digestibility, NDF degradation, as well as gut mucosa morphology. Based on the SCFAs concentration results, separate or simultaneous addition of emulsifier or/and enzyme did not provoke excessive fermentation activity of cecal bacteria.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) powder as an ingredient of rye bread: an anti-diabetic evaluation.

In this study, a most consumer-acceptable rye bread (RB) containing saffron (S) powder (RB+S) was designed to verify its anti-diabetic properties, and to compare these effects with those of RB and S separately, matched to a similar dose of bioactive components, used in the high-fat (HF) diet in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Wistar rats. After baking, beneficial antioxidant and sensory properties for RB enriched with 0.12% S were achieved. Twenty-four severely diabetic rats (fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥350 mg/dL) were randomized to incorporate either 0.08% of pure S, or RB enriched with 0.12% S (the diet provided 0.08% of S), or RB alone into their diet for 5 weeks. As controls, nontreated, HF-feeding STZ-induced rats (positive control-HF/STZ) and rats receiving normal laboratory diet (negative control-C) were used. A significant FBG-lowering effect was observed (47%, 53%, and 54% reduction vs. HF/STZ; P<.05) after S, RB, and RB+S treatment. Improvements in the rats' glycemia were achieved by ß-cell regeneration and increases in insulin secretion. Only in the S and RB+S group of rats, a significant (P<.05) increase in relative pancreas (vs. HF/STZ) was noted. A significant (P<.05) reduction in the concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) was achieved, whereas the ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) was not changed after S, RB and RB+S treatment (vs. HF/STZ). Triglyceride (TG) concentrations after S, RB, and RB+S treatment were significantly decreased (P<.05) versus HF/STZ. Both S and RB can be used in diabetic therapy, but no additional metabolic effect was achieved after consumption of RB+S.

In vivo and in situ action of melatonin on insulin secretion and some metabolic implications in the rat.

INTRODUCTION: The role of melatonin in human insulin regulation is poorly understood. AIM: To investigate the influence of melatonin supplementation on glucose and insulin levels and on lipid metabolism in blood serum and the liver. METHODOLOGY: The acute melatonin effects on insulin secretion in male Wistar rats were investigated. In addition, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism was studied. In in vivo experiments, melatonin was administered subcutaneously in two different doses (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg body weight, respectively), and animals were decapitated after 1 hour. RESULTS: The higher dose of the hormone increased insulin level in blood. The applied pancreas perfusion technique allowed us to confirm a direct mechanism of melatonin action on the pancreas. The ability of melatonin to stimulate insulin output was dose dependent. The highest effect was noticed for 100 nmol/L, whereas 1 nmol/L did not influence this process. CONCLUSION: Melatonin treatment in vivo caused many biochemical consequences. The hormone augmented significantly the concentrations of total, free, and esterified cholesterol, as well as high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in blood. Together with the enhanced insulin secretion observed in the in vivo experiment, the level of free fatty acids in blood decreased and, surprisingly, glucose concentration was significantly elevated.