Effect of Dietary Oregano (Lippia origanoides) and Clover (Eugenia caryophillata) Essential Oils' Formulations on Intestinal Health and Performance of Pigs.

The incorporation of natural essential oils to the pigs' diet in intensive production systems is a potential tool to improve gut health and prevent infections without using antibiotics. Nevertheless, different products, even containing the same compounds, coming from the same botanical species, may exert dissimilar biological effects due differences in the technological processes by which they are produced and preserved. For this reason, suitability of a given product based on natural extracts, intended for swine production must be thoroughly evaluated. In the present study, we assessed the effects of three additives containing oregano (Lippia origanoides) essential oil, alone or in combination with clover (Eugenia caryophillata) essential oil, with or without being microencapsulated, on gastrointestinal health and on some performance parameters in a commercial pig production farm. Recently weaned piglets were randomly divided in four groups, and basal diet or essential oil-supplemented diet (OCE; MOCE; MOE) was randomly assigned to each of the groups from weaning to finishing. Blood samples were collected at pre-established days after weaning. Intestinal sampling took place at 42 and 72 days of age. Pigs consuming the supplemented diets showed higher intestinal metabolic activity during the post-weaning period, decreasing the impact of weaning stress on enterocytes' metabolism. Intestinal barrier function was not affected in pigs consuming microencapsulated products. All treated groups showed improved intestinal architecture, increased digestive enzymes activity and caecal VFA concentrations. The incorporation of the dietary essential oils products brought beneficial effects on gastrointestinal health that were reflected in improved performance parameters.

Ex vivo penetration of fosfomycin into healthy and Lawsonia intracellularis-colonized swine intestinal mucosa.

Fosfomycin (FOS) is an antibiotic used, mostly in Latin America, for the treatment of lung and enteric infections of pigs. Intracellular fluids of enterocytes can act as biophase for Lawsonia intracellularis, the causative agent of porcine proliferative enteropathy (PPE). The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of L. intracellularis in the enterocytes modifies FOS penetration. Eight healthy pigs in growth-finishing stage were used to produce healthy (group A) and L. intracellularis-colonized (group B) intestinal explants. For both groups, treatment consisted of a 580 µg/ml concentration of calcium FOS, which was added to each explant (0.5-6 hr). For group B, the Enterisol Ileitis® vaccine was used as source of the micro-organism. Previously to the assay, the time necessary for L. intracellularis to colonize the enterocytes was defined. Also, a PCR protocol was optimized to determine the presence of the pathogen in the explants. There were nonstatistical differences for the penetration of the antibiotic into healthy and L. intracellularis-colonized enterocytes. MIC90 of FOS for L. intracellularis is unknown; nevertheless, MIC90 of various antibiotics ranges between 0.125 and 128 µg/ml. FOS reaches inside the enterocyte concentrations which surpass the MICs90 of other antibiotics that also act by the inhibition of cell wall synthesis; however, further studies should be carried out to determine fosfomycin MIC90 for L. intracellularis to discern the usefulness of this antibiotic in the treatment of PPE.

Effect of the combination of crude extracts of Penicillium griseofulvum and Fusarium graminearum containing patulin and zearalenone on rumen microbial fermentation and on their metabolism in continuous culture fermenters.

Six single-flow continuous cultures were used to study the effects of the mycotoxins patulin (PAT) and zearalenone (ZEN) alone or in combination on rumen microbial fermentation. In each of the four 7-d periods, the fermenters were supplemented in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two levels of PAT (0 and 20 mg/l) and three levels of ZEN (0, 5 and 10 mg/l). The treatments did not affect the apparent and true digestibility of organic matter. PAT alone decreased the digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) (p < 0.01), but in the presence of 5 or 10 mg/l of ZEN, there were no effects of PAT. In contrast, the digestibility of NDF and ADF was decreased at 10 mg/l of ZEN in the absence of PAT (p < 0.05). The pH of the fermenters increased after 2 and 3 d of PAT treatment (p < 0.01). PAT decreased the concentration of total volatile acids (VFA), the molar proportion of acetate and the acetate:proportionate ratio (p < 0.01). The molar concentrations of other VFA were unchanged. Ammonia N (NH3-N) flow increased (p < 0.05) and there was a tendency to a higher NH3-N concentration (p < 0.1) in fermenters with PAT. Total N, non-ammonia N and bacterial N as well as efficiency of microbial protein synthesis and efficiency of N utilisation were not affected by treatments. PAT was nearly completely degraded during incubation. The mean recovery of ZEN, α-zearalenol and ß-zearalenol expressed as a proportion of administered ZEN was less than 50% in effluents from fermenters receiving only ZEN and ZEN plus PAT, respectively. With exception of fibre digestion, the co-administration of PAT and ZEN did not elicit interaction effects on most measured parameters of rumen metabolism.

Detection of Integrase Gene in E. coli Isolated from Pigs at Different Stages of Production System.

Integrons are one of the genetic elements involved in the acquisition of antibiotic resistance. The aim of the present research is to investigate the presence of integrons in commensal Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains, isolated from pigs at different stages of production system and from the environment in an Argentinian farm. Five sows postpartum and five randomly chosen piglets from each litter were sampled by rectal swabs. They were sampled again at day 21 and at day 70. Environmental samples from the farm were also obtained. E. coli containing any integron class or combination of both integrons was detected by polymerase chain reaction in 100% of sows and in piglets at different stages of production: farrowing pen stage 68.1%;, weaning 60%, and growing/finishing 85.8%, showing an increase along the production system. From environmental samples 78.4% of E. coli containing any integron class was detected. We conclude that animals and farm environment can act as reservoirs for potential spread of resistant bacteria by means of mobile genetic elements as integrons, which has a major impact on production of food animals and that can reach man through the food chain, constituting a problem for public health.

Homeostasis del glutatión / Glutathione homeostasis / Homeostase de glutationa

El glutatión (GSH) es una molécula única que participa en aspectos esenciales de la homeostasis celular, teniendo un rol central en la defensa contra el daño oxidativo. El GSH (L-g-glutamil-L-cisteinil-glicina) es un tripéptido hidrosoluble formado por los aminoácidos ácido glutámico, cisteína y glicina que se encuentra presente en el citoplasma de todas las células. La forma oxidada de la molécula, GSSG, se encuentra principalmente en forma extracelular. Las concentraciones de GSH y GSSG y su relación molar son indicadores de la funcionalidad celular y su alteración está relacionada con varios procesos patológicos en el hombre y en los animales de compañía. En esta revisión se abordan importantes aspectos de la homeostasis, las principales funciones biológicas y las metodologías analíticas disponibles para el análisis de GSH en sangre y plasma.

Glutathione is a unique molecule that participates in key cellular homeostasis, having a central role in defense against oxidative damage. GSH (L-g-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine) is a water soluble tripeptide composed of amino acid glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. GSH is present in every cell cytoplasm. The oxidized form of the molecule, GSSG, is found primarily in extracellular form. GSH and GSSG concentrations and their molar ratio are indicators of cell function and its alteration is associated with several disease processes in humans and in companion animals. This review focuses on important aspects of homeostasis, major biological functions and available analytical methodologies for the analysis of GSH in blood and plasma.

A glutationa (GSH) é urna molécula única envolvida em aspectos essenciais da homeostase celular, tendo um papel central na defesa contra o dano oxidativo. O GSH (L-g-glutamil-L-cisteinil-glicina) é um tripeptídeo hidrossolúvel formado pelos aminoácidos: ácido glutámico, cisteína e glicina que se encontra presente no citoplasma de todas as células. A forma oxidada da molécula, GSSG, acha-se principalmente em forma extracelular. As concentragoes de GSH e GSSG e a sua relagáo molar sao indicadores da funcionalidade celular e a sua alteragao está relacionada com vários processos patológicos no homem e nos animais de estimagáo. A presente revisáo aborda questoes importantes da homeostase, as principais fungoes biológicas e as metodologias analíticas disponíveis para a análise de GSH em sangue e plasma.

Homeostasis del glutatión / Glutathione homeostasis / Homeostase de glutationa

El glutatión (GSH) es una molécula única que participa en aspectos esenciales de la homeostasis celular, teniendo un rol central en la defensa contra el daño oxidativo. El GSH (L-g-glutamil-L-cisteinil-glicina) es un tripéptido hidrosoluble formado por los aminoácidos ácido glutámico, cisteína y glicina que se encuentra presente en el citoplasma de todas las células. La forma oxidada de la molécula, GSSG, se encuentra principalmente en forma extracelular. Las concentraciones de GSH y GSSG y su relación molar son indicadores de la funcionalidad celular y su alteración está relacionada con varios procesos patológicos en el hombre y en los animales de compañía. En esta revisión se abordan importantes aspectos de la homeostasis, las principales funciones biológicas y las metodologías analíticas disponibles para el análisis de GSH en sangre y plasma.(AU)

Glutathione is a unique molecule that participates in key cellular homeostasis, having a central role in defense against oxidative damage. GSH (L-g-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine) is a water soluble tripeptide composed of amino acid glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. GSH is present in every cell cytoplasm. The oxidized form of the molecule, GSSG, is found primarily in extracellular form. GSH and GSSG concentrations and their molar ratio are indicators of cell function and its alteration is associated with several disease processes in humans and in companion animals. This review focuses on important aspects of homeostasis, major biological functions and available analytical methodologies for the analysis of GSH in blood and plasma.(AU)

A glutationa (GSH) é urna molécula única envolvida em aspectos essenciais da homeostase celular, tendo um papel central na defesa contra o dano oxidativo. O GSH (L-g-glutamil-L-cisteinil-glicina) é um tripeptídeo hidrossolúvel formado pelos aminoácidos: ácido glutámico, cisteína e glicina que se encontra presente no citoplasma de todas as células. A forma oxidada da molécula, GSSG, acha-se principalmente em forma extracelular. As concentragoes de GSH e GSSG e a sua relagáo molar sao indicadores da funcionalidade celular e a sua alteragao está relacionada com vários processos patológicos no homem e nos animais de estimagáo. A presente revisáo aborda questoes importantes da homeostase, as principais fungoes biológicas e as metodologias analíticas disponíveis para a análise de GSH em sangue e plasma.(AU)

Mycobiota and mycotoxins in fermented feed, wheat grains and corn grains in Southeastern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

El trigo (como afrechillo) y el maíz (como grano seco o alimento fermentado) son ingredientes empleados como alimento para el ganado bovino y porcino en la zona sur de la provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina). Determinar la micobiota y las micotoxinas presentes en estos alimentos es de suma importancia para establecer técnicas de control de los mismos, optimizar la producción animal y minimizar su toxicidad. Por ende, en el sudeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires se llevó a cabo un estudio para identificar la micobiota y las principales micotoxinas presentes en dichos tipos de alimento. Las muestras fueron sembradas para realizar el recuento, el aislamiento y la identificación de los principales géneros de hongos presentes, y analizadas para detectar las micotoxinas de mayor importancia toxicológica: desoxinivalenol (DON), zearalenona (ZEA), toxina T-2 y aflatoxinas (AFLA). Penicillium (74%), Aspergillus (32%) y Scopulariopsis (21%) fueron los géneros más frecuentes en alimentos fermentados. En muestras de maíz, los géneros más relevantes fueron Penicillium (70%), Fusarium (47%) y Aspergillus (34%), mientras que Penicillium (42%), Fusarium (27%) y Alternaria (25%) fueron los más aislados en el caso del afrechillo de trigo. DON fue detectado en el 59% de las muestras de maíz, en el 45% de las muestras de trigo y en el 38% de las muestras de alimento fermentado. ZEA fue detectada en un 36% de las muestras de maíz, en un 49% de las muestras de trigo y en un 16% de las muestras de alimento fermentado. Las toxinas T-2 y aflatoxina B1 fueron detectadas en un 4% de las muestras de maíz. El 18% de las muestras de alimentos fermentados mostraron contaminación con T-2. Las muestras de alimentos fermentados y de trigo fueron negativas para AFLA(AU)

Wheat (as bran) and corn (as dry grain or fermented feed) are main ingredients of feedstuffs used in local cattle and pig farms in the South of the Buenos Aires Province (Argentina). Therefore, determining mycobiota and mycotoxins in wheat and corn is of prime importance for developing feed management techniques to optimise animal production and to minimize toxicity. Then, a mycological survey was carried out in the Southeastern part of the Buenos Aires Province, in order to identify the mycobiota and the main mycotoxins present in fermented feed, wheat grain and corn grain samples. Samples were cultured for fungal quantification, isolation and identification, and analysed for deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), T-2 toxin and aflatoxins (AFLA). Penicillium (74%), Aspergillus (32%) and Scopulariopsis (21%) were the prevalent genera in fermented feed. Penicillium (70%), Fusarium (47%) and Aspergillus (34%) were the most frequent fungi isolated from corn. Penicillium (42%), Fusarium (27%) and Alternaria (25%) were the most frequently recovered genera from wheat. DON was detected in 59% of the corn samples, in 45% of the wheat samples and in 38% of the silage samples. ZEA was detected in 36% of the corn samples, in 49% of the wheat samples and in 16% of the silage samples. T-2 toxin and aflatoxin B1 were each detected in 4% of the corn samples. Eighteen percent of the fermented feed samples showed T-2 contamination. Fermented feed and wheat samples were negative for AFLA(AU)

Mycobiota and mycotoxins in fermented feed, wheat grains and corn grains in Southeastern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

Wheat (as bran) and corn (as dry grain or fermented feed) are main ingredients of feedstuffs used in local cattle and pig farms in the South of the Buenos Aires Province (Argentina). Therefore, determining mycobiota and mycotoxins in wheat and corn is of prime importance for developing feed management techniques to optimise animal production and to minimize toxicity. Then, a mycological survey was carried out in the Southeastern part of the Buenos Aires Province, in order to identify the mycobiota and the main mycotoxins present in fermented feed, wheat grain and corn grain samples. Samples were cultured for fungal quantification, isolation and identification, and analysed for deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), T-2 toxin and aflatoxins (AFLA). Penicillium (74%), Aspergillus (32%) and Scopulariopsis (21%) were the prevalent genera in fermented feed. Penicillium (70%), Fusarium (47%) and Aspergillus (34%) were the most frequent fungi isolated from corn. Penicillium (42%), Fusarium (27%) and Alternaria (25%) were the most frequently recovered genera from wheat. DON was detected in 59% of the corn samples, in 45% of the wheat samples and in 38% of the silage samples. ZEA was detected in 36% of the corn samples, in 49% of the wheat samples and in 16% of the silage samples. T-2 toxin and aflatoxin B1 were each detected in 4% of the corn samples. Eighteen percent of the fermented feed samples showed T-2 contamination. Fermented feed and wheat samples were negative for AFLA.

Inversión quiral de profenos: consecuencias terapéuticas y toxicológicas / Chiral inversion of profens: therapeutic and toxicological consequences

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo describir las características farmacocinéticas, metabólicas y toxicológicas de los ácidos asimétricos aril-2-propiónicos y mostrar la importante variabilidad inter-especies existentes. Además se explican las derivaciones metabólicas del proceso de inversión quiral (camino metabólico de crucial importancia para estos compuestos) y las consecuencias toxicológicas relacionadas con su naturaleza quiral

Inversión quiral de profenos: consecuencias terapéuticas y toxicológicas / Chiral inversion of profens: therapeutic and toxicological consequences

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo describir las características farmacocinéticas, metabólicas y toxicológicas de los ácidos asimétricos aril-2-propiónicos y mostrar la importante variabilidad inter-especies existentes. Además se explican las derivaciones metabólicas del proceso de inversión quiral (camino metabólico de crucial importancia para estos compuestos) y las consecuencias toxicológicas relacionadas con su naturaleza quiral (AU)