Correction of Free Radical Blood Imbalance and Behaviour in Prenatally Stressed Rats with α-Tocopherol

The research involved female mongrel white rats (n = 16) and their offspring (sexually mature males, n = 75). Pregnant females were divided into 4 groups: control (intact animals), stress (from the 16th to the 19th day of pregnancy females were subjected to 3-hour immobilization in plastic cases), stress+α-tocopherol (against the background of immobilization, females received α-tocopherol at a dose of 1 mg per 100 g of weight starting from the 2nd day of pregnancy), and α-tocopherol (females received α-tocopherol in the same dose and regimen as the group above). The control and stress groups received vegetable oil instead of α-tocopherol. In 3-month-old female offspring, we studied behaviour and determined the levels of products of free radical modification of proteins and lipids, total antioxidant activity as well as superoxide dismutase and ceruloplasmin activity in the blood plasma. Prenatal stress increased the exploratory and motor activity in offspring and modified the level of free radical homeostasis in the serum of male rats: there was an increase in the level of products of oxidative modification of proteins, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration, end products of lipid peroxidation (Schiff bases), total antioxidant activity and ceruloplasmin activity, as well as a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity. Alpha-tocopherol taken by females during pregnancy brought all the oxidation parameters modified by immobilization to the values of the control group; the levels of primary products of oxidative modification of proteins and lipid peroxidation decreased two-fold, compared with the stress group. The activity of superoxide dismutase and ceruloplasmin returned to the control values, but the total antioxidant activity remained at the level of the stress group. Thus, there is reason to assume that α-tocopherol has a significant corrective effect on the intensity of free radical processes in prenatally stressed white male rats.

Variations in ATP7B in cats with primary copper-associated hepatopathy

Objectives Primary copper-associated hepatopathy (PCH) has been reported in young cats. Although our group recently reported a young cat with PCH harbouring single-nucleotide variations in ATP7B, limited information is available regarding its association with the pathogenesis of feline PCH. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ATP7B variations in cats with PCH. Methods Rhodanine staining was performed to detect hepatic copper accumulation (HCA) in intraoperative liver tissue specimens from 54 cats. In cats with HCA, variations in ATP7B and COMMD1 and serum ceruloplasmin activity were analysed. Results Based on age, liver histopathological findings and hepatic distribution of accumulated copper, PCH was suspected in 4/54 cats. Sequence analysis of ATP7B and COMMD1 revealed single-nucleotide variations in ATP7B in 3/4 cats with PCH. Among the cats with PCH, one showed remarkably low serum ceruloplasmin activity, while the other three did not. Conclusions and relevance The results of this study suggest that some cats with PCH harbour single-nucleotide variations in ATP7B, suggesting that feline PCH is an equivalent disorder to human Wilson’s disease. This study provides basic evidence facilitating further studies of the pathophysiology and treatment of feline PCH.

EFFECTS OF MELATONIN ON OXIDANT AND ANTIOXIDANT STATUSIN THE BLOOD OF ALLOXAN DIABETIC RATS

Introduction. The experimental model of alloxane diabetes is quite common, which is often used to study the different aspects of pathogenesis and pathomorphology of diabetes. It is known that during the diabetes activation of free radical oxidation of biomolecules occurs as well as depletion of the antioxidant system. Melatonin can suppress reactive oxygen species and increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The aim of the study – to investigate the effect of melatonin on oxidant and antioxidant status in the blood of alloxan diabetic rats. Research Methods. Experiments were conducted on white outbred sexually mature male rats. In the blood plasma was determined content of oxidatively modified proteins, the ceruloplasmin activity; in the hemolisate of erythrocytes was determined content of TBA-reactive products, the measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities. Results and Discussion. The results of our studies showed that under conditions of alloxane diabetes, processes of free radical damage to biomolecules are intensified, as evidenced by the increase in the content of TBA-active products and oxidatively modified proteins in the blood of rats on 7 and 14 days of alloxane diabetes. The activity of catalase and ceruloplasmin in the blood of alloxan diabetic rats was lower than in the control group of animals but the SOD activity was significantly increased. The positive effect of melatonin is shown on 7 and 14 days and decrease the content of TBA-active products and oxidatively modified proteins blood of rats compared with untreated animals. Also, the administration of melatonin contributed to the normalization of the activity antioxidant enzymes of blood in rats with alloxane diabetes: increase of catalase activity in erythrocytes, ceruloplasmin activity and decrease SOD activity compared with untreated animals. Conclusions. The introduction of exogenous melatonin in rats with alloxane diabetes in a dose of 10 mg/kg daily for 7 and 14 days cause a pronounced antioxidant effect, reducing free radical oxidation and normalizing the activity of enzymes of antioxidant defense in the blood alloxan diabetic rats.

The effect of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) on selected parameters of humoral immunity in calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of HMB on selected parameters of the humoral immunity in calves. The experiment was performed on 14 calves aged 30 ± 2 days, divided into two equal groups of control (group K) and experimental (group H) animals. The feed administered to the experimental calves was supplemented with HMB at 40 mg/kg BW, whereas the control calves were administered standard farm-made feed without supplementation. Blood was sampled from the jugular vein immediately before the experiment (day 0) and on experimental days 15, 30 and 60 to determine the following immunological parameters: total protein levels, gammaglobulin levels, lysozyme activity and ceruloplasmin activity. An analysis of the results obtained revealed a significant increase (p < 0.05; p < 0.01; p < 0.001 respectively) in gammaglobulin levels and lysozyme activity throughout the entire experimental period, an increase (p < 0.05; p < 0.01 respectively) in ceruloplasmin activity on experimental days 15 and 30, but no changes in serum total protein levels of calves administered HMB as compared to those found in the control group

The effect of Leiber Beta-S on selected immunity indicators in calves

A wide variety of dietary supplements containing polysaccharides are being introduced on the market. One of them is Leiber Beta-S (β-1,3/1,6-D-glucan) whose immunostimulatory effects have not yet been fully evaluated, in particular in polygastric animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of this supplement on selected indicators of cellular and humoral immunity in calves. The experiment was performed on 14 calves aged 30 ± 2 days, divided into two equal groups of control and experimental animals. The feed administered to calves of the experimental group was supplemented with Leiber Beta-S at 50 mg/kg body weight, whereas control calves were administered standard farm-made feed without supplementation. Blood was sampled before the experiment (day 0) and on days 15, 30 and 60 to determine the immunity indicators (proliferative response of lipopolysaccharide- and concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes, respiratory burst activity, potential killing activity of phagocytes, gamma globulin concentrations, lysozyme activity, ceruloplasmin activity) and biochemical indicator (total protein concentrations). Diet supplemented with Leiber Beta-S stimulated the immune system of calves. Significant differences between the experimental and the control group were found in lysozyme and ceruloplasmin activity, gamma globulin concentrations, potential killing activity of phagocytes, proliferative response of lymphocytes (P < 0.001) and respiratory burst activity of phagocytes (P < 0.05). No differences were found in the serum total protein between the experimental and the control group. This study reports for the first time the effect of Leiber Beta-S (β-1,3/1,6-D-glucan) on selected biochemical and immunity indicators in calves.

Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae dried yeast on the meat performance traits and selected indicators of humoral immunity in lambs

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on indicators of meat performance traits in sheep as well as on selected non-specific indicators of humoral and cellular defense. The experiment was performed on 32 suckling Kamieniec lambs divided into two equal groups (control and experimental). Over a period of 60 days, experimental group of lambs were fed a diet supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae dried yeast (the yeast supplement did not change the value of the feed ration). The following meat performance indicators were determined: body weight, daily gains, growth rate, the dimensions of musculus longissimus dorsi sections, skin and subcutaneous fat thickness and fat thickness over the loin “eye” area. Selected indicators of non-specific humoral immunity (lysozyme activity, ceruloplasmin activity, total protein and gamma globulin content) were determined in the blood serum of lambs. Compared to control, yeast administered to the experimental group of lambs significantly increased the values of the analyzed meat performance traits i.e. body weight, growth rate, musculus longissimus dorsi dimensions (P ≤ 0.05) and daily gains (P ≤ 0.01), pointing to improved muscle development. Lambs fed the yeast showed a significant (P ≤ 0.01) increase in lysozyme and ceruloplasmin activity and increased serum concentrations of gamma globulins. Significant differences between the experimental and control groups were not observed only with respect to the serum concentrations of total protein. Suuplementing the lambs’ feed with yeast had a positive effect on meat performance traits and indicators of humoral immunity.