Carcass quality, haematological and blood biochemical profile of broiler chickens fed diets with graded levels of irish potato peel meal supplemented with enzyme

A study was carried out to search for alternative energy sources for maize in poultry diet. A 9-week experiment was conducted to ascertain the effect of diets containing feeding varying levels of Irish potato peel meal (IPPM) used to replace maize with enzyme supplementation on the carcass quality, haematological and blood biochemical profile of broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty (240) Anak-2000 broiler chicks aged 6 days were randomly assigned to 12 floor pens containing 20 birds each. Four diets were formulated based on 23 and 20% crude protein in the starter and finisher phases respectively, to contain 0, 5, 10 and 15% IPPM supplemented with enzyme to serve as replacement for maize. Each of the diets was fed to 3 pens of 20 birds in a completely randomized design. Data were collected on carcass quality and blood samples at the end of the experiment. There were no adverse effects of the test material on the carcass quality, haematological and blood biochemical profile of broiler chickens

Toxicity Evaluation of the Liver and in vitro Metabolism in Wistar Rat on Exposure to N-Nitrosamine Precursors

The aim of this study is to evaluate liver toxicity on exposure to n-nitrosamine precursors as well as the effect of ultraviolet light on n-nitrosamines and its precursors. Toxicological evaluation of the liver following single dose treatment of wistar rat with 8.2125 mg NaNO2/adult rat and in rats given a combined dose of 50 mgDMA-HCl and 8.2125 mg NaNO2/adult rat showed a steady elevation of the liver function enzymes. Histopathological analysis of the liver showed hepatic necrosis in the chemical induced rats. Following UV exposure after in vitro incubation of rat liver microsomal plus soluble fraction with NaNO2 and NaNO2 plus DMA-HCl, nitrite concentration in the NaNO2 incubation medium was 19.5 and 2.2 μg/mL before and after UV exposure respectively while the nitrite concentration in the NaNO2 plus DMA-HCl incubation medium was 23.5 and 2.5 μg/mL, respectively. Nitrite loss was significant (p<0.05) between before and after UV exposure in all groups. UV exposure, thus degraded the nitrosamine precursors, nitrite and DMA-HCl, thereby inhibiting possible nitrosation. The high values of the activities of serum transaminases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatases (ALP) and gammaglutamyltransferses (γ-GT), relative to control values are indicative of severe intrahepatic cell damag

Evaluation of the phytochemical content, in vitro antioxidant capacity, biochemical and histological effects of Dennettia tripetala fruits in healthy rats

We estimated the content of specific phytochemicals and in vitro antioxidant properties of the powder, aqueous, and ethanolic extracts of ripe Dennettia tripetala fruits. We also tested the biochemical and histological effects of these fruit extracts on healthy rats. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts were prepared from the powder of ripe D. tripetala fruits, and standard phytochemical methods were used to evaluate its phytochemical content and antioxidant properties. Eighteen rats were randomized into three groups, one of which served as control, while the second and third groups received the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of D. tripetala fruits, respectively, at a dose of 1,000 mg/kg bw daily for 28 days. Our results show that the powder as well as the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of ripe D. tripetala fruits contains phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and alkaloids. The plant powder as well as both extracts scavenged DPPH and hydrogen peroxide as well as reduced ferric ions. The extracts of D. tripetala fruits did not alter liver marker enzymes or serum protein profile of the rats. The extracts also did not alter the serum concentration of urea and creatinine and the antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation levels in the liver but altered that of the kidney. The extracts altered the serum and liver lipid profile but not to any significant extents. Also, the extracts caused minimal congestion to the centrioles of the liver but were not in any other way toxic to the liver, kidney, or heart of the rats. Our results point to the fact that the fruits of D. tripetala possess phytochemicals with medicinal properties and are well tolerated by rats

Mechanistic insight into sars‐cov‐2 mpro inhibition by organoselenides: The ebselen case study

The main protease (Mpro) of SARS‐CoV‐2 is a current target for the inhibition of viral replication. Through a combined Docking and Density Functional Theory (DFT) approach, we investigated in‐silico the molecular mechanism by which ebselen (IUPAC: 2‐phenyl‐1,2‐ benzoselenazol‐3‐one), the most famous and pharmacologically active organoselenide, inhibits Mpro. For the first time, we report on a mechanistic investigation in an enzyme for the formation of the covalent ‐S‐Se‐ bond between ebselen and a key enzymatic cysteine. The results highlight the strengths and weaknesses of ebselen and provide hints for a rational drug design of bioorganic selenium‐based inhibitors

Haematological parameters and serum biochemistry of Japanese quail chicks (Coturnixcoturnix japonica) fed raw and processed pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) seed meal based diets

An experiment was conducted with 720 one - week old Japanese quail chicks to evaluate the effect of feeding raw and processed pigeon pea&nbsp; (Cajanus cajan) seed meal based diets on the haematology and serum biochemistry of the Japanese quails in a completely randomized design. Birds were allocated to eight treatment groups with three replicates each containing 30 birds per replicate. The control diet (TI) had no pigeon pea seed meal, T2 was raw pigeon pea seed while other diets contained 30% of pigeon pea seed meal processed by soaking (for 24, 48 and 72 hours) (T3 – T5), fermentation for 72 hours(T5), boiling for 60 minutes(T6) and roasting for 30 minutes(T7). Blood samples were collected from&nbsp; the birds through the wing web vein at the 6th week of the feeding trial. The haematological parameters investigated were packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells count (WBC), lymphocytes, neutrophils, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular&nbsp; haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) while serum biochemical components were creatinine, cholesterol, albumin, urea and total protein concentrations. The results obtained in this study showed that all the haematological parameters and serum biochemistry of birds were significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced by dietary treatments except albumin concentration (g/dL). The packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cells and total protein values were within the range of 41.00 – 52.17 %, 13.63 –17.35g/dl, 6.80 – 8.83 (x 106/mm3) and 5.62 – 7.70 g/dl respectively. The results suggest that raw and processed pigeon pea seed meal (PPSM) possess good dietary protein quality for optimal growth and had no adverse effect on haematological and biochemical profiles of quail chicks at 30 % dietary level of inclusion

In silico Studies on the Interaction between Mpro and PLpro From SARS-CoV-2 and Ebselen, its Metabolites and Derivatives

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 has mobilized scientific attention in search of a treatment. The cysteine-proteases, main protease (Mpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro) are important targets for antiviral drugs. In this work, we simulate the interactions between the Mpro and PLpro with Ebselen, its metabolites and derivatives with the aim of finding molecules that can potentially inhibit these enzymes. The docking data demonstrate that there are two main interactions between the thiol (−SH) group of Cys (from the protease active sites) and the electrophilic centers of the organoselenium molecules, i. e. the interaction with the carbonyl group (O=C…SH) and the interaction with the Se moiety (Se…SH). Both interactions may lead to an adduct formation and enzyme inhibition. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations with Ebselen indicate that the energetics of the thiol nucleophilic attack is more favorable on Se than on the carbonyl group, which is in accordance with experimental data (Jin et al. Nature, 2020, 582, 289–293). Therefore, organoselenium molecules should be further explored as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 proteases. Furthermore, we suggest that some metabolites of Ebselen (e. g. Ebselen diselenide and methylebselenoxide) and derivatives ethaselen and ebsulfur should be tested in vitro as inhibitors of virus replication and its proteases

Reactivity and binding mode of disulfiram, its metabolites, and derivatives in SARS-CoV-2 PLpro: insights from computational chemistry studies

The papain-like protease (PLpro) from SARS-CoV-2 is an important target for the development of antivirals against COVID-19. The safe drug disulfiram (DSF) presents antiviral activity inhibiting PLpro in vitro, and it is under clinical trial studies, indicating to be a promising anti-COVID-19 drug. In this work, we aimed to understand the mechanism of PLpro inhibition by DSF and verify if DSF metabolites and derivatives could be potential inhibitors too. Molecular docking, DFT, and ADMET techniques were applied. The carbamoylation of the active site cysteine residue by DSF metabolite (DETC-MeSO) is kinetically and thermodynamically favorable (ΔG‡ = 3.15 and ΔG = − 12.10 kcal mol-1, respectively). Our results strongly suggest that the sulfoxide metabolites from DSF are promising covalent inhibitors of PLpro and should be tested in in vitro and in vivo assays to confirm their antiviral action. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Chalcogen\u2013mercury bond formation and disruption in model Rabenstein's reactions: A computational analysis

Methylmercury is a highly toxic compound and human exposure is mainly related to consumption of polluted fish and seafood. The inactivation of thiol-based enzymes, promoted by the strong affinity binding of electrophilic mercuric ions to thiol and selenol groups of proteins, is likely an important factor explaining its toxicity. A key role is played by the chemistry and reactivity of the mercury\u2013chalcogens bond, particularly Hg-S and Hg-Se, which is the focus of this computational work (level of theory: (COSMO)-ZORA-BLYP-D3(BJ)/TZ2P). We analyze nine ligand-exchange model reactions (the so-called Rabenstein's reactions) involving an entering ligand (methylchalcogenolate) and a substrate (methylchalcogenolatemethylmercury). Trends in reaction and activation energies are discussed and a change in mechanism is reported for all cases when going from gas phase to water, that is, from a single-well potential energy surface (PES) to a canonical SN2-like mechanism. The reasons accounting for the biochemically challenging and desired displacement of methylmercury from a seleno/thiol protein can be found already in these model reactions, as can be seen from the similarities of the ligand exchange reactions in solution in thermodynamics and kinetics

Chalcogen-nitrogen bond: Insights into a key chemical motif

Chalcogen-nitrogen chemistry deals with systems in which sulfur, selenium, or tellurium is linked to a nitrogen nucleus. This chemical motif is a key component of different functional structures, ranging from inorganic materials and polymers, to rationally designed catalysts, to bioinspired molecules and enzymes. The formation of a selenium–nitrogen bond, typically occurring upon condensation of an amine and the unstable selenenic acid, often leading to intramolecular cyclizations, and its disruption, mainly promoted by thiols, are rather common events in organic Se-catalyzed processes. In this work, focusing on examples taken from selenium organic chemistry and biochemistry, the selenium–nitrogen bond is described, and its strength and reactivity are quantified using accurate computational methods applied to model molecular systems. The intermediate strength of the Se–N bond, which can be tuned to necessity, gives rise to significant trends when comparing it to the stronger S– and weaker Te–N bonds, reaffirming also in this context the peculiar and valuable role of selenium in chemistry and life