Rapid Communication: Ileal alkaline phosphatase is upregulated following functional amino acid supplementation in Salmonella Typhimurium-challenged pigs

We recently showed that functional amino acid (FAA) supplementation improves growth performance and immune status of Salmonella Typhimurium (ST)-challenged pigs which was further improved by a longer adaptation period. It is expected that the effects are associated with increased activity of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of FAA supplementation and adaptation period on the ileal, cecal, and colonic activity of IAP in weaned pigs challenged with ST. In Exp. 1, 32 mixed-sex weanling pigs were randomly assigned to dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with low (LP) or high protein (HP) content and basal (FAA–) or FAA profile (FAA+; Thr, Met, and Trp at 120% of requirements) as factors. In Exp. 2, a total of 32 mixed-sex weanling pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments, being FAA- fed throughout the experimental period (FAA−) or a FAA profile fed only in the post-inoculation (FAA+0), for 1 wk pre- and post-inoculation (FAA+1), or throughout the experimental period (FAA+2). In Exp. 1 and 2, after a 7- and 14-d adaptation period, respectively, pigs were inoculated with saline solution containing ST (3.3 and 2.2 × 10 9 CFU/mL, respectively). Plasma alkaline phosphatase was measured on d 0 and 7 post-inoculation in Exp. 1, and IAP (ileum, cecum, and colon) was measured in Exp. 1 and 2. Correlations among ileal IAP and serum albumin and haptoglobin, plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced:oxidized glutathione (GSH:GSSG), ileal myeloperoxidase (MPO), ST shedding and ileal colonization, and post-inoculation average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (ADFI), and gain:feed (G:F) were also analyzed. In Exp. 1, plasma alkaline phosphatase was decreased with ST inoculation and overall content was increased in LP-FAA+ compared to LP-FAA- (P < 0.05). Moreover, ileal IAP was increased in FAA+ compared to FAA- pigs in both studies (P < 0.05) regardless of adaptation time (P > 0.05). Intestinal alkaline phosphatase was positively correlated with MDA and ADFI and negatively correlated with SOD and ST shedding in Exp. 1 (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate a positive effect of FAA supplementation, but not adaptation period, on ileal alkaline phosphatase activity in Salmonella-challenged pigs, which may be associated with improvements in antioxidant balance.

PLASMA ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE VALUES IN WEANLING PIGS AS INFLUENCED BY DIETARY CALCIUM : PHOSPHORUS RATIO AND CESTRUM DIURNUM INGESTION

Twenty Yorkshire piglets, weaned at approximately 4 weeks of age were used in this study designed to study the variation in the plasma alkaline phosphatase levels as influenced by dietary calcium and phosphorus and 3% Cestrum diurnum ingestion. Plasma alkaline phosphatase values decreased significantly in the pigs fed either normal calcium: phosphorus or low calcium: high phosphorus diets supplemented with 3% C. diurnum. The decrease in the enzyme values was attributed to the observed histological lesion of retarded osteocytic osteolysis and chondrolysis due to the direct toxic action of C. diurnum factor(s) on resorbing osteocytes.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Corn Silk Infusion in Male Wistar Rats

The use of medicinal plants in treating various disease has been reported since long time ago, including for hepatic disease. Corn silk contains phytochemicals of medical benefit such as flavonoids compounds which act as antioxidant agents and has been widely reported possess hepatoprotective effect. Using a model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in 36 male Wistar rats, this study investigated the effect of corn silk infusion and assessed using enzymes produced by the liver in plasma [alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and liver glutathione (GSH)]. The corn silk infusion (in 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg BW doses) were administered 24 hours after CCl4-induction liver damage with 3ml/kg BW CCl4 in olive oil (1:1, v/v), intraperitoneally for seven days. Along with corn silk groups, distilled water (0.2 mL/kg BW) and Curcumin (100 mg/kg BW) were given for induction and drug control, respectively. In the end of the study (8th day), the level of both ALP dan GSH were measured. The differences among groups for GSH and ALP level were statistically calculated using ANOVA method. The result showed that the corn silk infusion is active at 200 mg/kg BW based on both ALP (18.74% decreased) and GSH (5-7% increased) level. Moreover, the flavonoid compound was detected on the infusion that may contribute on its hepatoprotective activity. In conclusion, corn silk infusion owned hepatoprotective effect in male Wistar rats.

Effect of Dietary Phosphorus and Zinc Levels on Hematocrit Value, Plasma Mineral Content and Plasma Alkaline Phosphatase Activity of Fingerling Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

A laboratory based 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary phosphorus and zinc levels on hematocrit value, plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and plasma mineral contents of rainbow trout fingerling for 21 weeks. Two levels of phosphorus (19 and 30 mg/g) and two levels of zinc (55 and 100 µg/g) in the dry diets were tested. Duplicate tanks of 30 rainbow trout (average weight 1.56 ± 0.24g) per 60L glass tank were fed experimental diets three times a day to satiation level in 15 to 24oC water temperature. Zinc supplementation in the practical diets significantly increased the hematocrit value, plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and plasma zinc contents in rainbow trout fingerling. On the other hand, addition of phosphorus did not show any significant difference among the treatments. The result of the present study demonstrated that additional zinc significantly (P<0.05) influenced the hematocrit value, plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and plasma zinc contents in rainbow trout. Hence, it can be concluded that zinc supplementation is necessary in fingerling rainbow trout feed. Further studies in this area with different size and age of rainbow trout are needed broadly.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v20i1-2.16870 Progress. Agric. 20(1 & 2): 183 – 192, 2009