Long-term dietary supplementation with natural honey does not predispose growing male rats to metabolic syndrome

No abstract available.http://www.biomedcentral.com/1753-6561/6/S3/P3ab201

Comparative effect of cane syrup and natural honey on abdominal viscera of growing male and female rats

The high intake of refined sugars, mainly fructose has been implicated in the epidemiology of metabolic diseases in adults and children. With an aim to determine whether honey can substitute refined sugars without adverse effect, the long-term effects of natural honey and cane syrup have been compared on visceral morphology in growing rats fed from neonatal age. Honey increased the caecum and pancreas weights in male rats, which could enhance enzymatic activities of pancreas and digestive functions by intestinal microflora of caecum. Unlike honey, cane syrup caused fatty degenerations in the liver of both male and female rats. Honey enhanced intestinal villi growth, and did not cause pathology in the rodents’ abdominal viscera, suggesting potential nutritional benefit as substitution for refined sugars in animal feed.Part of work was accepted for oral presentation as an abstract titled "Comarative effects of honey and sugar on the morphometry of viscera in growing Sprague-Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus)" at the 31 Scientific Conference, Physiological Society of Nigeria (PSN) held at Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria during 7-9 September, 2011.http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/39am201

Comparative effect of cane syrup and natural honey on abdominal viscera of growing male and female rats

303-312The high intake of refined sugars, mainly fructose has been implicated in the epidemiology of metabolic diseases in adults and children. With an aim to determine whether honey can substitute refined sugars without adverse effect, the long-term effects of natural honey and cane syrup have been compared on visceral morphology in growing rats fed from neonatal age. Honey increased the caecum and pancreas weights in male rats, which could enhance enzymatic activities of pancreas and digestive functions by intestinal microflora of caecum. Unlike honey, cane syrup caused fatty degenerations in the liver of both male and female rats. Honey enhanced intestinal villi growth, and did not cause pathology in the rodents’ abdominal viscera, suggesting potential nutritional benefit as substitution for refined sugars in animal feed

Nutraceutical values of natural honey and its contribution to human health and wealth

Abstract The use of natural honey (NH) as a nutraceutical agent is associated with nutritional benefits and therapeutic promises. NH is widely accepted as food and medicine by all generations, traditions and civilizations, both ancient and modern. The nutritional profiles, including its use in infant and children feeding reported in different literatures as well as health indices and biomarkers observed by various researchers are illustrated in this manuscript. The review documents folk medicine, experimentation with animal models, and orthodox medical practices shown by clinical trials. This covers virtually all human organs and body systems extensively studied by different workers. The sources and adverse effects of NH contamination, as well as the preventive methods are identified. This could promote the availability of residue free honey and a wholesome natural product for domestic consumption and international market. This could also help to prevent health problems associated with NH poisoning. In addition, apicultural practices and the economic importance of honey are well documented. This report also includes information about a relatively unknown and uncommon South American stingless bee species. We concluded this review by identifying important roles for Ethno-entomologists, other Scientists and Apiculturists in the development of stingless bees to boost honey production, consumption and economic earnings.</p

Adverse effects of heat stress during summer on broiler chickens production and antioxidant mitigating effects

Broiler chicken meat is a good source of protein consumed universally, and is one of the most commonly farmed species in world. In addition to providing food, poultry non-edible byproducts also have value. A major advantage of broiler chicken production is their short production cycle, which results in a greater rate of production in comparison to other species. However, as with any production system, there are constraints in broiler production with one of the most pressing being energy requirements to keep the birds warm as chicks and cool later in the growth cycle, as a result of the cost needing mechanical heating and cooling. While this is feasible in more advanced economies, this is not readily affordable in developing economies. As a result, farmers rely on natural ventilation to cool the rearing houses, which generally becoming excessively warm with the resultant heat stress on the birds. Since little can be done without resorting to mechanical ventilation and cooling, exploring the use of other means to reduce heat stress is needed. For this review, we cover the various factors that induce heat stress, the physiological and behavioral responses of broiler chickens to heat stress. We also look at mitigating the adverse effect of heat stress through the use of antioxidants which possess either an anti-stress and/or antioxidant effects.The Doctoral study that led to this review was supported by funding from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.https://link.springer.com/journal/4842023-09-28hj2023Anatomy and PhysiologyParaclinical SciencesVeterinary Tropical Disease

Next generation sequencing and RNA-seq characterization of adipose tissue in the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) in South Africa: Possible mechanism(s) of pathogenesis and pathophysiology of pansteatitis.

BackgroundConcerted efforts to identify the pathogenesis and mechanism(s) involved in pansteatitis, (a generalized inflammation of the adipose tissue), that was attributed to the recent crocodile die off in the Olifants River and Loskop Dam in Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa have been in the forefront of research in recent time. As part of the efforts, molecular characterization of healthy and pansteatitis adipose tissue was carried out by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and de novo assembly of the adipose transcriptome, followed by differential gene expression analysis.MethodologyHealthy adipose tissue consisting of fifty samples was collected from the subcutaneous, visceral, intermuscular adipose tissues and the abdominal fat body of ten 4 years old juvenile crocodiles from a local crocodile farm in Pretoria, South Africa. Ten pansteatitis samples were collected from visceral and intermuscular adipose tissues of five crocodiles that were dying of pansteatitis.ResultsForty-two thousand, two hundred and one (42,201) transcripts were assembled, out of which 37, 835 had previously been characterized. The de novo assembled transcriptome had an N50 (average sequence) of 436 bp, percentage GC content of 43.92, which compared well with previously assembled transcripts in the saltwater crocodile. Seventy genes were differentially expressed and upregulated in pansteatitis. These included genes coding for extracellular matrix (ECM) signaling ligands, inflammatory cytokines and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) receptors, fatty acid synthase and fatty acid binding proteins, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), nuclear factor and apoptosis signaling ligands, and mitogen activated protein kinase enzymes among others. Majority (88.6%) of the upregulated genes were found to be involved in hypoxia inducible pathways for activation of NFkβ and inflammation, apoptosis, Toll-like receptor pathway and PPARγ. Bicaudal homologous 2 Drosophila gene (BICD2) associated with spinal and lower extremity muscle atrophy was also upregulated in pansteatitis while Sphingosine -1-phosphate phosphatase 2 (SGPP2) involved in Sphingosine -1- phosphate metabolism was downregulated. Futhermore, Doublesex-mab-related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1) responsible for sex gonad development and germ cell differentiation was also downregulated.ConclusionThus, from the present study, based on differentially expressed genes in pansteatitis, affected Nile crocodiles might have died partly due to their inability to utilize stored triglycerides as a result of inflammation induced insulin resistance, leading to starvation in the midst of plenty. Affected animals may have also suffered muscular atrophy of the lower extremities and poor fertility

Next generation sequencing and RNA-seq characterization of adipose tissue in the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) in South Africa: possible mechanism(s) of pathogenesis and pathophysiology of pansteatitis

BACKGROUND: Concerted efforts to identify the pathogenesis and mechanism(s) involved in pansteatitis, (a generalized inflammation of the adipose tissue), that was attributed to the recent crocodile die off in the Olifants River and Loskop Dam in Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa have been in the forefront of research in recent time. As part of the efforts, molecular characterization of healthy and pansteatitis adipose tissue was carried out by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and de novo assembly of the adipose transcriptome, followed by differential gene expression analysis. METHODOLOGY: Healthy adipose tissue consisting of fifty samples was collected from the subcutaneous, visceral, intermuscular adipose tissues and the abdominal fat body of ten 4 years old juvenile crocodiles from a local crocodile farm in Pretoria, South Africa. Ten pansteatitis samples were collected from visceral and intermuscular adipose tissues of five crocodiles that were dying of pansteatitis. RESULTS: Forty-two thousand, two hundred and one (42,201) transcripts were assembled, out of which 37, 835 had previously been characterized. The de novo assembled transcriptome had an N50 (average sequence) of 436 bp, percentage GC content of 43.92, which compared well with previously assembled transcripts in the saltwater crocodile. Seventy genes were differentially expressed and upregulated in pansteatitis. These included genes coding for extracellular matrix (ECM) signaling ligands, inflammatory cytokines and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) receptors, fatty acid synthase and fatty acid binding proteins, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), nuclear factor and apoptosis signaling ligands, and mitogen activated protein kinase enzymes among others. Majority (88.6%) of the upregulated genes were found to be involved in hypoxia inducible pathways for activation of NFkβ and inflammation, apoptosis, Toll-like receptor pathway and PPARγ. Bicaudal homologous 2 Drosophila gene (BICD2) associated with spinal and lower extremity muscle atrophy was also upregulated in pansteatitis while Sphingosine -1-phosphate phosphatase 2 (SGPP2) involved in Sphingosine -1- phosphate metabolism was downregulated. Futhermore, Doublesex–mab-related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1) responsible for sex gonad development and germ cell differentiation was also downregulated. CONCLUSION: Thus, from the present study, based on differentially expressed genes in pansteatitis, affected Nile crocodiles might have died partly due to their inability to utilize stored triglycerides as a result of inflammation induced insulin resistance, leading to starvation in the midst of plenty. Affected animals may have also suffered muscular atrophy of the lower extremities and poor fertility.Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund), University of Ibadan, Nigeria and University of Pretoria Post Graduate Support Bursaryhttp://www.plosone.orgpm2020Anatomy and PhysiologyParaclinical SciencesVeterinary Tropical Disease