Sodium Valproate Enhances the Urethane-Induced Lung Adenomas and Suppresses Malignization of Adenomas in Ovariectomized Female Mice

In the present study, the possible effect of sodium valproate (NaVP) on urethane-induced lung tumors in female mice has been evaluated. BALB/c mice (n=60; 4–6 weeks old, females) were used in the following groups: (1) urethane-treated; (2) urethane-NaVP-treated; (3) only NaVP-treated; (4) control. In the same groups, ovariectomized female mice (n=60) were investigated. Urethane was given intraperitoneally, with a total dose of 50 mg/mouse. In NaVP-treated mice groups, 0.4% aqueous solution of NaVP was offered to mice ad libitum. The duration of the experiment was 6 months. The number of tumors per mouse in ovariectomized mice and in those treated with urethane and NaVP was significantly higher than in mice treated with urethane only (8.29±0.58 versus 6.0±0.63, p<0.02). No significant difference in the number of tumors per mouse was revealed while comparing the nonovariectomized urethane- and urethane-NaVP-treated groups (p=0.13). A significant decrease of adenocarcinoma number in ovariectomized mice treated with a urethane-NaVP as compared with ovariectomized mice treated with urethane only was found (p=0.031). NaVP together with low estrogen may have a protective effect on the malignization of adenomas in ovariectomized mice

Strawberry Polyphenol-Rich Fractions Can Mitigate Disorders in Gastrointestinal Tract and Liver Functions Caused by a High-Fructose Diet in Experimental Rats

In the current study, it was hypothesized that the addition of strawberry polyphenol-rich fractions to a high-fructose diet mitigates disorders in liver functions, lipid metabolism, and in the antioxidant and pro-inflammatory status of rats. Therefore, a fraction rich in ellagitannins and proanthocyanidins (EP), and a fraction containing compounds of both mentioned classes of polyphenols and additionally anthocyanins (EPA), in doses of 0.28 and 0.70 g/100 g, respectively, were added to a standard or a high-fructose diet administered to rats for six weeks. The EPA fraction was more beneficial in alleviating the consequences of consuming excess fructose in the diet than the EP fraction. Probably, that fraction containing considerable amounts of carbohydrates was more extensively metabolized by intestinal bacteria, which resulted in higher levels of cecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as well as cecal and urinal ellagitannin metabolites. As a further consequence, diet supplementation with the EPA fraction caused more favorable changes in the levels of serum interleukin 6 and serum antioxidant capacity of water-soluble substances (ACW), in atherogenicity index lg((triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), hepatic oxidized glutathione as well as reduced to oxidized glutathione ratio). Efforts should be made to develop strawberry polyphenol-rich preparations containing the preferred anthocyanins, which is, however, difficult due to the instability of this class of phenolic compounds during the technological process

The Influence of Feeding with Colostrum and Colostrum Replacer on Major Blood Biomarkers and Growth Performance in Dairy Calves

Bovine colostrum (BC) is the first milk produced by lactating cows after parturition. BC is rich in various amino acids, proteins, and fats essential for the nutrition of the neonate calves. Despite the evident beneficial effect of BC on calves, the effect of BC on blood biomarkers is poorly understood. Calves that received BC showed significantly higher body mass at days 7 and 30 (38.54 kg and 43.42 kg, respectively) compared to the colostrum replacer group (p = 0.0064). BC induced greater quantities of blood neutrophils (0.27 &times; 109/L) and monocytes (4.76 &times; 109/L) in comparison to the colostrum replacer (0.08 and 0.06 &times; 109/L, respectively) (p = 0.0001). Animals that received BC showed higher levels of total serum protein (59.16 g/L) and albumin (29.96 g/L) in comparison to the colostrum replacer group (44.34 g/L and 31.58 g/L, respectively). In addition, BC induced greater intestinal mucus production in the Wistar rat model. Collectively, these results demonstrate that BC is important for the growth of calves and that it provides a significant beneficial effect on morphological and biochemical blood parameters

The Influence of Feeding with Colostrum and Colostrum Replacer on Major Blood Biomarkers and Growth Performance in Dairy Calves

Bovine colostrum (BC) is the first milk produced by lactating cows after parturition. BC is rich in various amino acids, proteins, and fats essential for the nutrition of the neonate calves. Despite the evident beneficial effect of BC on calves, the effect of BC on blood biomarkers is poorly understood. Calves that received BC showed significantly higher body mass at days 7 and 30 (38.54 kg and 43.42 kg, respectively) compared to the colostrum replacer group (p = 0.0064). BC induced greater quantities of blood neutrophils (0.27 × 109/L) and monocytes (4.76 × 109/L) in comparison to the colostrum replacer (0.08 and 0.06 × 109/L, respectively) (p = 0.0001). Animals that received BC showed higher levels of total serum protein (59.16 g/L) and albumin (29.96 g/L) in comparison to the colostrum replacer group (44.34 g/L and 31.58 g/L, respectively). In addition, BC induced greater intestinal mucus production in the Wistar rat model. Collectively, these results demonstrate that BC is important for the growth of calves and that it provides a significant beneficial effect on morphological and biochemical blood parameters