Effect of mineral-energy supplementation on the performance of young bulls from different genetic groups on pasture

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of young bulls from three genetic groups, ½ Brangus x ½ Nellore (BRN), Nellore (NEL) and ½ Canchim x ½ Nellore (CAN), reared on pasture and supplemented with mineral (MS) or energy-mineral (MES) supplement. Eighty-one bulls, with a mean age of 12 months and mean body weight of 252 ± 33 kg were used. The experiment was conducted in a 3x2 factorial completely randomized design. Each genetic group was subdivided into six experimental plots, three received MS and three received MES. Animals were managed in a rotational stocking system in a Tifton 85 grass pasture. The consumption of MS was similar between the genetic groups with an average of 0.073 kg animal-1 day-1, whereas the consumption of MES was higher for BRN, 2.10 kg animal-1 day-1, followed by CAN, with 1.57 kg animal-1 day-1, and lower for NEL, with 1.28 kg animal-1 day-1. The average daily weight gain (ADG) was greater for animals that received MES compared to those that were given MS. For animals that received MS, the BRN group had ADG of 0.64 kg animal-1, while the NEL and CAN groups were similar with a mean of 0.46 kg animal-1. For animals that received MES, the CAN group had higher ADG, 0.97 kg animal-1, while the NEL and BRN groups were similar, with an average of 0.86 kg animal-1. Blood levels of total protein, albumin, creatinine, glucose and cholesterol did not change depending on the types of supplements used or between genetic groups. Higher serum urea levels were observed in NEL and CAN animals that received MS. Serum aspartate aminotransferase levels were higher in BRN and CAN animals that received MES. Gains in rump height, height at the withers, body length, rump width and chest perimeter were greater in animals that received MES. Mostly, the gains in morphometric measurements were greater for crossbred animals than for the NEL group. The supply of mineral-energy supplement in Tifton 85 grass pasture during the rainy season is recommended only for Nellore and ½ Canchim x ½ Nellore young bulls. Crossbred young bulls show greater gains in morphometric measurements than Nellore young bulls during rearing.

Direct comparison of the effects of liraglutide and dulaglutide on the dynamics of scales and markers of hepatic fibrosis

Objective. Comparison of the effects of liraglutide and dulaglutide on the dynamics of scales and markers of hepatic fibrosis.Materials and methods. 35 patients with NAFLD were included in the study and received liraglutide 1.8 mg or dulaglutide 1.5 mg once daily for 6 months.Results. Body weight and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) decreased significantly and comparable after 6 months of treatment in both groups. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels decreased only in the dulaglutide group. The decrease in the AST level in the dulaglutide group was from 31.9 ± 26.8 to 30.8 ± 10.6 U / L (p = 0.04). The dynamics of the risk of fibrosis reached statistical significance only when assessed on the FIB-4 scale in the liraglutide group when comparing the baseline values and values after 6 months of treatment — 1.18 ± 0.51 and 0.97 ± 0.40, respectively (p = 0.022). In the dulaglutide group, there was also an insignificant positive dynamics of 1.31 ± 0.53 and 1.11 ± 0.23 (p = 0.865), which can be explained by the minimal severity of changes at baseline.Conclusions. The study demonstrated comparable effects of liraglutide and dulaglutide on metabolic parameters and, at the same time, the advantage of liraglutide in influencing the dynamics of the risk of fibrosis, assessed on the FIB-4 scale. To unequivocally confirm the benefits of liraglutide in the treatment of patients with NAFLD, randomized prospective comparative studies of various aGPP1 on large samples of patients with different stages of NAFLD are needed.

Early Hypertransaminasemia after Kidney Transplantation: Significance and Evolution According to Donor Type

Early hypertransaminasemia after kidney transplantation (KT) is frequent. It has been associated with the crosstalk produced between the liver and the kidney in ischemia-reperfusion situations. However, the influence of the donor type has not been evaluated. We present a retrospective study analyzing the increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) during the first three months post-KT in 151 recipients who received thymoglobulin as induction therapy, either from brain-death donors (DBD, n = 75), controlled circulatory death donors (cDCD, n = 33), or uncontrolled DCD (uDCD, n = 43). Eighty-five KT recipients from DBD who received basiliximab were included as controls. From KT recipients who received thymoglobulin, 33.6/43.4% presented with an increase in AST/ALT at 72 h post-KT, respectively. Regarding donor type, the percentage of recipients who experienced 72 h post-KT hypertransaminasemia was higher in uDCD group (65.1/83.7% vs. 20.3/26% in DBD and 20.7/27.6% in cDCD, p < 0.001). Within the control group, 9.4/12.9% of patients presented with AST/ALT elevation. One month after transplant, AST/ALT values returned to baseline in all groups. The multivariate analysis showed that uDCD recipients had 6- to 12-fold higher risk of developing early post-KT hypertransaminasemia. Early post-KT hypertransaminasemia is a frequent and transient event related to the kidney donor type, being more frequent in uDCD recipients.

Early postoperative serum aspartate aminotransferase for prediction of post-hepatectomy liver failure

Background Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a serious complication of hepatectomy. The current criteria for PHLF diagnosis (ISGLS consensus) require laboratory data on or after postoperative day (POD) 5, which may delay treatment for patients at risk. The present study aimed to determine the associations between early postoperative (POD1) serum aminotransferase levels and PHLF. Methods The medical records of patients who underwent hepatectomy at Ramathibodi Hospital from January 2008 to December 2019 were retrospectively examined. Patients were classified into PHLF and non-PHLF groups. Preoperative characteristics, intraoperative findings, and early postoperative laboratory data (serum AST, ALT, bilirubin, and international normalized ratio (INR) on POD0 to POD5) were analyzed. Results A total of 890 patients were included, of whom 31 (3.4%) had PHLF. Cut-off points for AST of 260 U/L and ALT of 270 U/L on POD1 were predictive of PHLF. In multivariate analysis, AST >260 U/L on POD1, ICG-R15, major hepatectomy, blood loss, and INR were independently associated with PHLF. Conclusions Early warning from elevated serum AST on POD1, before a definitive diagnosis of PHLF is made on POD5, can help alert physicians that a patient is at risk, meaning that active management and vigilant monitoring can be initiated as soon as possible.

Human Menstrual Blood-derived Stem Cell Transplantation Suppresses Liver Injury in DDC-induced Chronic Cholestasis

Background: Cholestasis liver injury can lead to serious symptoms and prognoses in the clinic. Currently, an effective medical treatment is not available for cholestasis liver injury. Human menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) have been considered an emerging treatment in various diseases. However, efficiency of MenSCs in cholestasis liver injury has been less investigated. Methods: C57/BL6 mice were fed with 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4- dihydroxychollidine (DDC) to induce chronic cholestasis liver injury model. DDC mice were injected with either phosphate buffer saline (PBS) or MenSCs at 2 and 4 weeks. Mice were sacrificed at 5 weeks. Serum and liver tissues were collected to test liver function and pathological changes. Proteomics and western blot were used to explore the related molecular mechanisms. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)9 infected mice were used for verifications of MenSC treatment target and related molecular mechanism. Results: We found that MenSCs could protect mice against DDC-induced cholestasis by improving impaired liver function and tissue damage. MenSCs markedly prolonged survival rate of mice, decreased the mice serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), direct bilirubin (DBIL) and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels as well as intrahepatic cholestasis, bile duct dilation and fibrosis. The results further indicated that MenSCs repaired DDC-induced tight junction (TJ) and bile transport function damage and inhibited COL1A1, α-SMA and TGF-β1 activation by upregulating liver β-catenin expression. MenSC transplantation could be an effective treatment method for cholestasis liver injury.

Evaluation of the Potential Toxicity of the Starch from the Shoot of Borassus Aethiopum Mart in Wistar Rats

Background: The shoot of Borassus aethiopum is cultivated and consumed in Northern Nigeria. Its starch has been investigated for use in pharmaceutical formulation but have limited studies on its toxicity. Toxicity is the degree to which a substance (a toxin or poison) can harm humans or animals. The plant Borassus aethiopum Mart belongs to the family Aracaceae, commonly known as the African Fan Palm. The shoot of the plant is commonly referred to as “Muruchi” in Hausa and is widely available and edible.Objective: This experimental research was designed to examine the potential toxicity of the starch from the shoot of Borassus aethiopum in acute and subacute studies using Wistar rats.Material and Methods: Fresh shoots of Borassus aethiopum were obtained, washed, peeled and grinded using mechanical grinder. The starch was extracted using water. Acute toxicity was carried out using OECD guideline 425. Healthy rats of both sexes were randomly grouped into four groups of six rats each (n=6) for the 28-days oral toxicity study. Distilled water was administered at the dose of 2ml/kg to group I which served as the control while groups II, III and IV were orally administered the starch from the shoot of Borassus aethiopum at the doses of 300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg daily for 28 days respectively. The animals were sacrificed after 28-days at which the blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture into plain and EDTA-containing tubes for biochemical and haematological analyses respectively. The liver, kidney, heart and spleen were excised, weighed and examined macroscopically.Results: The phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloids, tannins, and carbohydrate. The acute toxicity (LD50) of Borassus aethiopum was found to be greater than 4000 mg/kg body weight. No notable and significant changes in the relative organ weight as well as the levels of the renal and hematological biomarkers when compared with the control. However, there was significant increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT).Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that the starch from the shoot of Borassus aethiopum showed some evidence of potential toxicity on the liver but did not affect the renal and haematological parameters.

A Study on the Serum γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase and Plasma Osteopontin in Alcoholic Liver Disease

Background Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a major source of alcohol-related morbidity and mortality. Heavy drinkers and alcoholics may progress from fatty liver to alcoholic hepatitis to cirrhosis. The enzyme γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) is a membrane-bound glycoprotein which catalyzes the transfer of the γ-glutamyl group from γ-glutamyl peptides to other peptides, amino acids, and water. Serum GGT activity mainly attributed to hepatobiliary system and thus is an important marker of ALD. Hence the present study is conducted to estimate and correlate the levels of GGT and osteopontin (OPN) in ALD. Aims and Objectives The objective of this study is to estimate and correlate the levels of GGT and OPN in ALD. Materials and Methods Sixty clinically diagnosed cases of ALD and sixty age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited for the study. Blood samples were collected from them and serum aspartate aminotransferase, serum alanine transaminases (ALTs), serum ALP levels, and plasma OPN levels were measured. Estimation of serum aspartate transaminases (AST), ALTs, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was assayed by standard photometric methods in autoanalyzer ERBA-XL (EM-200) using commercially available kits. OPN was estimated by using commercial kit based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The parameters of the liver function tests such as AST, ALT, and ALP were significantly increased in patients with ALD (p < 0.001) when compared with the healthy control subjects. In the present study, significantly increased levels of γ-glutamyl transferases and OPN were found in patients with ALD (p < 0.001) when compared with the control subjects. OPN showed significant positive correlations with AST (r = 0.76, p < 0.001), ALT (r = 0.64, p < 0.001), ALP (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), and GGT (r = 0.61, p < 0.001). Conclusion The present study focuses on the role of GGT and OPN that are sensitive indicators of liver cell injury and are most helpful in recognizing hepatocellular diseases such as ALD, hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis. Hence, the pattern of the GGT and OPN levels elevation can be helpful diagnostically.

Factors affecting neonatal beef calf metabolism and vigor

Two studies were conducted to investigate factors affecting neonatal beef calf metabolism and vigor. In the first study, effects of late gestational nutrient restriction on colostrum yield, neonatal vigor, and blood chemistry and hematology measures were investigated in beef cattle. Colostrum volume and weight from nutrient restricted dams was 40 percent less compared with control dams. Although gestational nutrition did not affect gestation length or calf birth weight, calves born to control dams had faster times to attempt to stand and to stand. Calves born to nutrient restricted dams had greater serum protein metabolites from 6 to 48 h of age. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase concentrations were greater in nutrient restricted calves until 24 h postnatal. Red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were greater in control calves at 6 and 12 h of age. In conclusion, calves born to nutrient restricted dams experienced more trauma at birth, reduced neonatal vigor, and had less colostrum available but greater serum protein concentrations. The objectives of the second study were to determine the effect of calving season on perinatal nutrient availability and neonatal vigor. Fall-born calves tended to have lighter birth weight and faster time to stand than spring-born calves. Spring-born calves had greater circulating 0 h glucose, 0 and 6 h NEFA, and 0, 6, 12, and 48 h triglycerides. Fall-born calves had greater sodium and magnesium during the first 48 h postnatal. Spring-born calves had greater aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase concentrations until 48 h of age. Albumin, chloride, calcium, and anion gap were greater in fall-born calves. Bicarbonate and direct bilirubin were greater in spring-born calves. In conclusion, spring-born calves are heavier at birth but were slower to stand. Additionally, differences in metabolites over time suggest that spring- and fall-born calves adapt to postnatal life differently where thermoregulation plays an important role.

Autoimmune hepatitis: Side effect of infliximab perfusion

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a basic cytokine is an immunosuppressive agent used intensively in the treatment of systemic diseases. various side effects have been reported with the use of these powerful immunosuppressive drugs. In this case we report an autoimmune hepatitis an uncommon side effect of infliximab perfusion. Case: A 41-year-old man living with HIV on emtricitabine tenofovir and efavirenz for 6 years with good tolerance and undetectable viral load had been diagnosed as having a Crohn disease. He was referred for persistent increase in aminotransferase levels during infliximab therapy. After the 3rd infusion, serum aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) raised to 75 and 136 IU/L. After exhaustive etiological exams we retained autoimmune hepatitis. Two months after stopping infliximab aminotransferases were normal. Conclusion: Infliximab induced autoimmune hepatitis is an uncommon side effect. Clinicians should be aware of this risk and should perform aminotransferase level control when infliximab use.