Two hundred ninety-three Japanese Black Wagyu steers derived from 34 sires were used to investigate genetic effects on the fatty acid composition of carcass fat. All steers were fed identical diets for 365 d and slaughtered at similar ages. If the percentage of genetic contribution of sire A, B, or C was not lower than 25%, steers were classified into groups A, B, and C, respectively. Fatty acid compositions differed depending on deposit sites. Mean percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) tended to be higher in the outer parts than in the inner parts of the body. Percentage of MUFA in carcass fat was negatively correlated with withers height and BW and positively correlated with meat quality score and marbling score. Fatty acid compositions of the 34 sire groups varied, and mean percentages of MUFA in i.m. fat ranged from 47.71 to 54.77%. Steers in the C group grew larger than those in the A or B group. Mean percentages of MUFA for i.m. fat in the A, B, and C groups (52.83, 51.88, and 50.33%, respectively) differed (P < 0.05) from each other. Steers in the C group had higher (P < 0.05) percentages of saturated fatty acids than those in the A or B groups. Percentages of genetic contribution of sires B (P < 0.05) and C (P < 0.001) were negatively correlated with percentage of MUFA in i.m. fat. These results suggested that genetic factors affected fatty acid composition of carcass fat in Japanese Black Wagyu cattle and that some sires had potent genetic factors affecting this composition.
The statins, at dosages adjusted, had a significant and similar effect in reducing lipid peroxidation in native and oxidized LDL-C and in arterial walls, in decreasing aortic atherosclerosis, and in reverting endothelial dysfunction.
This study reports the new functional property of amaranth grain against diet-induced endothelial dysfunction in rabbits. Twenty-seven New Zealand rabbits were fed either a standard diet (SD/G1) or a hypercholesterolemic diet (Hichol) for 28 days. On day 29, the Hichol group was subdivided into four groups and begun receiving the following diets for 21 days: G2: SD + amaranth, G3: Hichol + amaranth, G4: SD alone, and G5: Hichol alone, while G1 continued to receive SD for 21 days. Amaranth intake restored endothelial function (G2, G3) to nearly normal during the 21-day recovery besides substantially lowering total and LDL blood cholesterol levels. This effect was not seen by simply correcting the diet (G4). Upon continuance of Hichol, however, amaranth supplementation did show some contribution to the cholesterol-lowering effect (G4 vs. G3). On day 49, feeding Hichol without the help of amaranth, harm was further magnified by lowering HDL-cholesterol (G5). Fecal cholesterol was found increased in groups that ingested amaranth (G2, G3), but no significant impact from either supplementation or diet reversal was found in fecal bile acids. Amaranth supplementation granted some protection against tissue cholesterol (G5) and tissue peroxidation (G3). It is concluded that even in concurrence with a hypercholesterolemic diet, intake of heat-expanded amaranth can revert an associated endothelial dysfunction besides incrementing fecal cholesterol excretion and lowering blood and tissue cholesterol oxidation in dyslipidemic rabbits. These results supported the notion of a lipid peroxidation process occurring with high cholesterol intakes.
BackgroundPitavastatin is the newest statin available in Brazil and likely the one with
fewer side effects. Thus, pitavastatin was evaluated in hypercholesterolemic
rabbits in relation to its action on vascular reactivity.ObjectiveTo assess the lowest dose of pitavastatin necessary to reduce plasma lipids,
cholesterol and tissue lipid peroxidation, as well as endothelial function in
hypercholesterolemic rabbits.MethodsThirty rabbits divided into six groups (n = 5): G1 - standard chow diet; G2 -
hypercholesterolemic diet for 30 days; G3 - hypercholesterolemic diet and after
the 16th day, diet supplemented with pitavastatin (0.1 mg); G4 -
hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with pitavastatin (0.25 mg); G5 -
hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with pitavastatin (0.5 mg); G6 -
hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with pitavastatin (1.0 mg). After 30 days,
total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, glucose, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured and LDL was
calculated. In-depth anesthesia was performed with sodium thiopental and aortic
segments were removed to study endothelial function, cholesterol and tissue lipid
peroxidation. The significance level for statistical tests was 5%.ResultsTotal cholesterol and LDL were significantly elevated in relation to G1. HDL was
significantly reduced in G4, G5 and G6 when compared to G2. Triglycerides, CK,
AST, ALT, cholesterol and tissue lipid peroxidation showed no statistical
difference between G2 and G3-G6. Significantly endothelial dysfunction reversion
was observed in G5 and G6 when compared to G2.ConclusionPitavastatin starting at a 0.5 mg dose was effective in reverting endothelial
dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
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