The Expression of Selected Cytokine Genes in the Livers of Young Castrated Bucks after Supplementation with a Mixture of Dry Curcuma longa and Rosmarinus officinalis Extracts.

The study aims to determine the effect of supplementation with a mixture of Curcuma longa and Rosmarinus officinalis extracts (896:19 ratio) on the expression of 15 cytokine genes in the livers of 20 castrated goat bucks. Two equal groups were created: treated and control groups. The treated group was provided a mixture (1.6 g/day/buck) for 124 days. Liver tissue samples were collected after slaughter. The gene expression was analyzed using RT-qPCR with two reference genes. Variance analysis was conducted using a model with the group fixed effect. IL-2 and IL-8 expression was below the detection level. No differences were found for IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-16, IFN-α, IFN-ß, TNF-α, and CCL4 expressions, suggesting that supplementation does not activate cytokine production in the healthy hepatocytes. The treated group demonstrated lower IL-12 expression (p < 0.05) and a tendency for higher IL-18 and INF-γ (0.05 < p < 0.10) expressions, which may indicate a hypersensitivity resulting from excessive supplement dose. The increased IFN-γ expression could be caused by the increased IL-18 expression. If a small dose of extract can induce an allergic reaction in young goat bucks, it is also possible that humans may be susceptible to an overdose of curcumin and/or turmeric extracts.

Effect of Supplementation with Curcuma longa and Rosmarinus officinalis Extract Mixture on Acute Phase Protein, Cathelicidin, Defensin and Cytolytic Protein Gene Expression in the Livers of Young Castrated Polish White Improved Bucks.

Goats are an excellent animal model for research on some physiological and pathophysiological processes in humans. The search for supplements that prevent homeostasis disorders and strengthen the immune system is necessary to reduce the risk of many diseases in both humans and animals. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of supplementation with a mixture of dried extracts of Curcuma longa and Rosmarinus officinalis on the expression of acute-phase protein (SAA, HP, CRP, LALBA, AGP, CP, FGA, FGB, and FGG), cathelicidin (BAC5, BAC7.5, BAC3.4, MAP28, MAP34, and HEPC), beta-defensin-1 (GBD1, DEFB1), and beta-defensin-2, and cytolytic protein (LIZ and LF) genes in the livers of young castrated bucks of the Polish White Improved breed. The higher expression of LF in the control group suggests that it is important for the first line of hepatic immune defense and its expression is downregulated by the mixture of turmeric and rosemary extracts; thus, the spice-herb mixture mutes its activity. The lower expression of FGB and the higher expression of BAC5 genes in the livers of healthy, young castrated bucks who were administered the supplement suggest the silencing effects of the mixture on the acute-phase response and the stimulating effect on the antimicrobial activity of the immune system.

Effect of Supplementation with Organic Selenium or Turmeric and Rosemary Mixture on Beta-Defensin Content in Goat Milk.

The present study examines the effects of diet supplementation with an organic selenium or herb-spice mixture on beta-defensin1 (GBD-1) and beta-defensin2 (GBD-2) concentrations in goat milk. Herd-I, consisting of Polish White (PWI) and Fawn Improved (PFI) goats, received supplementation with organic or inorganic selenium (controls). All goats were free from parasites, mastitis, and small ruminant lentivirus infection. Herd-II, consisting of PWI goats, either received a turmeric-rosemary mixture (experimental) or not (controls). The Herd I control group demonstrated higher fat, free fatty acid, and somatic cell levels and lower protein and lactose contents than Herd II controls. The GBD-1 concentration was below the detection limit in both herds. Herd I controls demonstrated higher GBD-2 concentrations in milk than Herd II controls. In addition, lower GBD-2 concentrations were noted in PWI goat milk. Organic selenium or rosemary-turmeric mixture supplementation had no effect on the GBD-2 content in the milk of healthy goats. The higher GBD-2 concentration observed in Herd Ic than in Herd IIc may suggest that the type of basal diet affects defensin secretion.

Effectiveness of the Functional Movement Screen for assessment of injury risk occurrence in football players.

The aim of the study was to determine whether the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test carried out among young boys practising football training identifies previous injuries. Sixty-five boys aged 12-13 years, who had regularly practised football in an academy for at least 3 years, were recruited and divided into two groups: an injured group (IG), consisting of players who had experienced at least one injury in the past (n + 25, age 12.32 ± 0.48) and a non-injured group (non-IG), a control group, made up of athletes with no injuries to the musculoskeletal system (n = 40, age 12.25 ± 0.49). Seven FMS tests were used to rate the functional fitness level as a part of the FMS tool. Significant differences between the total scores of the FMS tests (p < 0.001, r = 0.54) were documented. Higher scores in the FMS test were observed in the control group (M = 16.58, SD = 2.04) than in the study group (M = 14.20, ± SD = 1.96). The FMS test is an effective diagnostic tool to identify previous injuries among young football players.

miRNA expression patterns in blood leukocytes and milk somatic cells of goats infected with small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV).

The study aims to determine the selected miRNAs expression in milk somatic cells (MSC) and blood leukocytes (BL) of SRLV-seronegative (SRLV-SN) and SRLV-seropositive (SRLV-SP) goats. A functional in silico analysis of their target genes was also conducted. MiR-93-5p and miR-30e-5p were expressed only in BL, while miR-144 was expressed only in MSC, regardless of SRLV infection. In the SRLV-SP goats, higher miR-214-3p and miR-221-5p levels were found in the MSC than in the BL. Only miR-30e-5p was influenced by the lactation stage in BL in both groups, while only miR-93-5p was altered in BL of SRLV-SN goats. The target gene protein products exhibited contradictory functions, protecting the host from virus on the one hand and assisting viruses in their life cycle on the other. The differential expression of the miRNAs observed between the MSC and BL of SRLV-SP goats may suggest that the local immune response to the infection in the udder differs from the systemic response, and acts independently. Some miRNAs demonstrated different expression between lactation stages. It may be influenced by the metabolic burden occurring in early lactation and its peak. Some of the studied miRNAs may influence viral infection by regulating the expression of their target genes.

A Comparison of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Serum of Healthy Polish Dairy Goats with Those Naturally Infected with Small Ruminant Lentivirus in the Course of Lactation.

The present study examines the effects of natural infection by small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) in the two most common goat breeds in Poland, i.e., Polish white improved and polish fawn improved. It focuses on biomarkers of oxidative stress, oxidatively modified proteins and antioxidant defenses, ceruloplasmin level as an acute phase protein, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the goat serum. It was conducted on 24 goats divided into two equal groups: one SRLV-seropositive (SRLV-SP) and another SRLV-seronegative (SRLV-SN). Both groups were identical in terms of breed and parity. Despite infection, the SRLV-SP goats demonstrated no symptoms of caprine arthritis-encephalitis. In addition, the SRLV-SP goats did not reveal pronounced dysfunctions in oxidative stress biomarkers in the serum compared to the SRLV-SN animals. However, both groups demonstrated elevated levels of the aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins during the lactation period. In addition, both groups retained a high total antioxidant capacity in serum despite the decrease of enzyme antioxidant defenses throughout the 200-day lactation period.

Does Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infection in Goats Predispose to Bacterial Infection of the Mammary Gland? A Preliminary Study.

The aim of this study was to determine whether asymptomatic small ruminant lentivirus seropositive (SRLV-SP) goats were more susceptible to bacterial infection of the udder when lactating by comparing the presence and species of pathogenic bacteria in their milk with the values for seronegative goats (SRLV-SN). Milk samples were collected during morning milking on days 20, 40, 60, 150, and 210 of lactation for three consecutive years and subjected to bacteriological examination. Staphylococcus caprae and S. xylosus were the most frequent strains identified in both SRLV-SP and SRLV-SN goats. The prevalence of pathogenic bacteria was the highest in the 1st lactation, regardless of SRLV status. Moreover, the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria was significantly higher in SRLV-SP goats, but only those in the 5th or further lactation (p = 0.010). This suggests a relationship between long-lasting SRLV infection and susceptibility to bacterial infections of the udder.