The effect of earthworm (Eisenia foetida) meal with vermi-humus on growth performance, hematology, immunity, intestinal microbiota, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of broiler chickens

The present investigation was aimed to evaluate the effect of varied amount of earthworm meal (EW) and vermihumus (VH) on the growth performance of broiler chickens. Three hundred 1-d-old broiler chickens were assigned to 5 starter treatments with 5 pens per treatment, and 12 broiler chickens per pen in a completely randomized design from d 0–14 of the study. Dietary treatments were [per kilogram dry matter (DM)]: control (0 g EW and 0 g VH/kg of DM), and the diets containing 10 g VH/kg of DM supplemented with 0, 10, 20, or 30 g EW/kg of DM. At the end of the study (d 42), one representative broiler chicken per pen, close to the average body weight, was selected for blood sampling using a sterile needle and heparinized vacuum tube. The outcomes of the study depicted the greater overall feed intake value in broiler chicken fed the control diet than those fed the diets containing VH or EW or both, and it decreased linearly and quadratically (P<0.05) as the amount of EW supplementation increased. The average weight gain for the chickens was numerically increased as supplementation of EW was increased (linear, =0.3; quadratic P=0.4). On the other hand, overall feed conversation ratio was slightly greater (P=0.02) in broiler chickens fed the control diet, and it decreased linearly (P=0.03) as dietary EW supplementation increased. Additionally, the serum total protein, albumin, Ca, and P concentrations were lower in broiler chickens fed the control diet, and those variables increased linearly (P<0.05) as dietary EW increased. In like manner, humoral immune response (except heterophil/lymphocyte ratio) and relative weights of immune organs were lower in broiler chickens fed the control diet. Remarkable differences were observed between carcass and ileum characteristics of broiler chickens under treatments. Varied concentrations of EW showed increased total counts of lactic acid bacteria (linear, P<0.05; quadratic, P=0.3) and reduced population of pathogenic intestinal microbiota (linear, P0.05). Similarly, the meat quality of broiler chicken was markedly affected linearly (P<0.05) by the supplementation of increased dietary EW. Briefly, diets containing 30 g EW/kg of DM can positively affect the growth performance of broiler chickens and produce meat with better characteristics

Effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on stroke and atrial fibrillation in diabetic kidney disease: Results from the CREDENCE trial and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chronic kidney disease with reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate or elevated albuminuria increases risk for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. This study assessed the effects of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on stroke and atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) from CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation) and a meta-Analysis of large cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) of SGLT2i in type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: CREDENCE randomized 4401 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease to canagliflozin or placebo. Post hoc, we estimated effects on fatal or nonfatal stroke, stroke subtypes, and intermediate markers of stroke risk including AF/AFL. Stroke and AF/AFL data from 3 other completed large CVOTs and CREDENCE were pooled using random-effects meta-Analysis. RESULTS: In CREDENCE, 142 participants experienced a stroke during follow-up (10.9/1000 patient-years with canagliflozin, 14.2/1000 patient-years with placebo; hazard ratio [HR], 0.77 [95% CI, 0.55-1.08]). Effects by stroke subtypes were: ischemic (HR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.61-1.28]; n=111), hemorrhagic (HR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.19-1.32]; n=18), and undetermined (HR, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.20-1.46]; n=17). There was no clear effect on AF/AFL (HR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.53-1.10]; n=115). The overall effects in the 4 CVOTs combined were: Total stroke (HRpooled, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.82-1.12]), ischemic stroke (HRpooled, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.89-1.14]), hemorrhagic stroke (HRpooled, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.30-0.83]), undetermined stroke (HRpooled, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.49-1.51]), and AF/AFL (HRpooled, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.71-0.93]). There was evidence that SGLT2i effects on total stroke varied by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (P=0.01), with protection in the lowest estimated glomerular filtration rate (45 mL/min/1.73 m2]) subgroup (HRpooled, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.31-0.79]). CONCLUSIONS: Although we found no clear effect of SGLT2i on total stroke in CREDENCE or across trials combined, there was some evidence of benefit in preventing hemorrhagic stroke and AF/AFL, as well as total stroke for those with lowest estimated glomerular filtration rate. Future research should focus on confirming these data and exploring potential mechanisms

Canagliflozin and Renal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes and Nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to 300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m 2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Canagliflozin and Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease in Primary and Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention Groups

Background: Canagliflozin reduces the risk of kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, but effects on specific cardiovascular outcomes are uncertain, as are effects in people without previous cardiovascular disease (primary prevention). Methods: In CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation), 4401 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease were randomly assigned to canagliflozin or placebo on a background of optimized standard of care. Results: Primary prevention participants (n=2181, 49.6%) were younger (61 versus 65 years), were more often female (37% versus 31%), and had shorter duration of diabetes mellitus (15 years versus 16 years) compared with secondary prevention participants (n=2220, 50.4%). Canagliflozin reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events overall (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80 [95% CI, 0.67-0.95]; P=0.01), with consistent reductions in both the primary (HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.49-0.94]) and secondary (HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.69-1.06]) prevention groups (P for interaction=0.25). Effects were also similar for the components of the composite including cardiovascular death (HR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.61-1.00]), nonfatal myocardial infarction (HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.59-1.10]), and nonfatal stroke (HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.56-1.15]). The risk of the primary composite renal outcome and the composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure were also consistently reduced in both the primary and secondary prevention groups (P for interaction &gt;0.5 for each outcome). Conclusions: Canagliflozin significantly reduced major cardiovascular events and kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, including in participants who did not have previous cardiovascular disease

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to &lt;90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], &gt;300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of &lt;15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P&lt;0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P&lt;0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activation: a potential treatment for ascites syndrome in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT: Ascites (serous fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity) has been observed worldwide in fast growing broilers. Pulmonary vascular remodeling is an important pathological feature of broiler ascites syndrome. Peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) are expressed in pulmonary vascular endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) where they participate in the regulation of normal pulmonary vascular function. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil) and pioglitazone (PIO) as natural and synthetic PPARγ ligands supplementation on PPARγ and PGC-1α expression in the prevention of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) syndrome in broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted with 4 treatment groups: 1) negative control, normal temperature conditions with basal diet; 2) positive control, low-temperature conditions with basal diet; 3) positive control + 10 mg PIO/kg of weight/d and 4) positive control + 1% FO. Each treatment had 5 replicates. Ascites heart index (RV/TV) was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in chickens receiving FO (0.20) and PIO (0.21) compared to the positive control group (0.26). The addition of PIO in broilers under cold-induced ascites significantly increased the expression of PPARγ (9.44) and PGC-1α (5.81) genes in lung tissue compared to the negative control group (1.03, P < 0.05). Proliferative indexes of VSMC in pulmonary arteries such as PMT, PIT, and percentage wall thickness were significantly elevated in positive control group, indicating that pulmonary vascular remodeling occurred following VSMC proliferation in ascites. The vessel internal diameter was increased in FO and PIO groups. Based on these results, activation and expression of PPARγ and PGC-1α genes as a critical regulator of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell using ligands, especially PIO, can be effective in reducing the incidence of PAH in broiler chickens

The effect of earthworm (Eisenia foetida) meal with vermi-humus on growth performance, hematology, immunity, intestinal microbiota, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of broiler chickens

8 páginas, 8 tablas.The present investigation was aimed to evaluate the effect of varied amount of earthworm meal (EW) and vermihumus (VH) on the growth performance of broiler chickens. Three hundred 1-d-old broiler chickens were assigned to 5 starter treatments with 5 pens per treatment, and 12 broiler chickens per pen in a completely randomized design from d 0–14 of the study. Dietary treatments were [per kilogram dry matter (DM)]: control (0 g EW and 0 g VH/kg of DM), and the diets containing 10 g VH/kg of DM supplemented with 0, 10, 20, or 30 g EW/kg of DM. At the end of the study (d 42), one representative broiler chicken per pen, close to the average body weight, was selected for blood sampling using a sterile needle and heparinized vacuum tube. The outcomes of the study depicted the greater overall feed intake value in broiler chicken fed the control diet than those fed the diets containing VH or EW or both, and it decreased linearly and quadratically (P < 0.05) as the amount of EW supplementation increased. The average weight gain for the chickens was numerically increased as supplementation of EW was increased (linear, =0.3; quadratic P=0.4). On the other hand, overall feed conversation ratio was slightly greater (P=0.02) in broiler chickens fed the control diet, and it decreased linearly (P=0.03) as dietary EW supplementation increased. Additionally, the serum total protein, albumin, Ca, and P concentrations were lower in broiler chickens fed the control diet, and those variables increased linearly (P < 0.05) as dietary EW increased. In like manner, humoral immune response (except heterophil/lymphocyte ratio) and relative weights of immune organs were lower in broiler chickens fed the control diet. Remarkable differences were observed between carcass and ileum characteristics of broiler chickens under treatments. Varied concentrations of EW showed increased total counts of lactic acid bacteria (linear, P < 0.05; quadratic, P=0.3) and reduced population of pathogenic intestinal microbiota (linear, P 0.05). Similarly, the meat quality of broiler chicken was markedly affected linearly (P < 0.05) by the supplementation of increased dietary EW. Briefly, diets containing 30 g EW/kg of DM can positively affect the growth performance of broiler chickens and produce meat with better characteristics.We are grateful to the Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj Branch, Sanandaj, Iran for the financial and technical supports, and financial supports of Amize Tabiat Co (Iran) is also gratefully acknowledged.Peer reviewe