BackgroundNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial disease with a complex pathophysiology. The clinical features of NAFLD include obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidemia. Consumption of a diet high in saturated fats and sucrose is an important factor in the increasing occurrence of these metabolic disorders, primarily NAFLD and IR. We sought to assess the role of a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFS) diet in the promotion of NAFLD and to evaluate the effects of quercetin (Q), berberine (BB) and o-coumaric acid (CA) on modulation of these disorders.MethodsFifty male rats were divided into 2 main groups as follows: group 1 comprised 10 rats fed a standard diet (SD), and group 2 comprised 40 rats fed an HFS diet for 6 weeks and then subdivided equally into 4 groups; one of these groups served as the HFS diet and each of the other three groups received daily supplementation with either Q, CA or BB for 6 weeks.ResultsIn the present study, several metabolic disorders were induced in our laboratory animal model, as evidenced by histological and biochemical changes. These alterations included serum and hepatic dyslipidemia (i.e., increased triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels and decreased high-density lipoprotein levels), alterations in metabolic enzyme activities (lipase, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), histological changes in the liver (micro- and macrovesicular steatosis) and the downregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in adipose tissue and the liver. Daily oral supplementation with Q, CA or BB for 6 weeks after NAFLD induction had a hypolipidemic action and modulated metabolic markers.ConclusionWe showed that an HFS diet is able to promote NAFLD, and our results suggest that CA and BB are promising complementary supplements that can ameliorate the metabolic disorders associated with an HFS diet; however, Q requires further investigation.

Micronutrients in food have been found to have chemopreventive effects, supporting the conclusions from epidemiologie studies that consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables reduces cancer risk. The present study was carried out to evaluate the role of querctin (Q) and sodium gluconate (GNA) supplementation separately or in combination in ameliorating promotion of colon tumor development by dimethyl-hydrazine (DMH) in mice. Histopathological observation of colons in mice treated with DMH showed goblet cell dysplasia with inflammatory cell infiltration. This pathological finding was associated with significant alteration in oxidative stress markers in colon tissues and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in plasma. Mice co-treated with GNA and Q showed mild changes of absorptive and goblet cells and inflammatory cell infiltration in lamina properia, with improvement in oxidative stress markers. In conclusion, findings of the present study indicate significant roles for reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pathogenesis of DMH-induced colon toxicity and initiation of colon cancer. Also, they suggest that Q, GNA or the combination of both have a positive beneficial effect against DMH induced colonic cancer induction in mice.

Background The Japanese quail is considered one of the most significant species in the poultry industry. However, the high male-to-female ratio results in the aggressive behavior of males. Dietary strategies that improve the properties of semen could reduce the number of males required to maintain optimal fertility and reduce aggressive behavior. Therefore, this study aims to provide insight into the possible improving efm fect of ginger roots on the reproductive aspects of Japanese male quails. Results To achieve this objective, powder of Ginger roots was administrated to 2 groups of quails (10, and 15 g/Kg feed) from 7 days until 70 days of age. Some males were reared singly in cages (n = 40 for each group) to assess sperm quality and other males (n = 32 for each group) were raised with females to assess fertility and sperm-egg penetration. Additionally, biochemical tests and histological examination were also performed. When compared to the control group, dietary inclusion of Ginger at a dose of 15 g caused more improvement in ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, motility, viability and sperm-egg penetration. Whereas, the motility and fertility percentages of sperms were equipotent in both doses. Dose-dependent increases were found in the cloacal gland area and volume, as well as foam production and weight. Both doses resulted in a significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol along with an elevation cin plasma testosterone and lipid peroxides. The comparison between all groups concerning nitric oxide, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity revealed the absence of significant difference. Morphologically, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and the height of germinal epithelium significantly increased especially in the higher dose of Ginger. Conclusions Ginger roots especially at a dose of 15 gm/kg feed was effective in improving male reproductive performance. These findings are of utmost importance in encouraging the addition of Ginger roots in ration formulation in male quails.

Background The renal burden imposed by diclofenac sodium (DS) remedy is a significant concern and limits the extension in its clinical application. Curcumin (Cur) can be used as a promising natural phytochemical in rescuing chemotherapy-associated renal dysfunction owing to its redox stabilizing and cytoprotective nature. Thus, the current experiment aims to highlight the possible ameliorative impact of Cur on DS-induced renal damage and its mediating mechanisms in adult male mice. Methods A total number of eighteen healthy adult mice of the male sex were classified into 3 groups for 21 days. The first group served as a control, whereas the second one received DS at 10 mg/kg body weight by intraperitoneal route of administration daily during the last 14 days of the experiment. The third group was supplemented with Cur at 100 mg/kg body weight during the entire duration of the intervention in conjunction with the DS burden. At the end of the experimental protocol, kidney functions, redox parameters, histopathological investigation and TUNEL assay were performed. Results Cur succeeded in restoring the typical histomorphometric features and reducing the apoptosis in the kidney. The redox disturbances in the kidney of DS-challenged mice rebalanced were manifested by normalizing the level of renal reduced glutathione and immunostaining of glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase 2. No marked alteration in plasma urea level in the DS group could be noticed compared to the control. Nevertheless, an obvious reduction in plasma urea level was observed in the DS+Cur group relative to the control and DS groups. The comparison between all experimental groups revealed the absence of significant difference in plasma creatinine and renal lipid peroxide levels. Conclusions Cur might exert its renoprotective action through its cytoprotective, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant characteristics. The findings of this study shed light on using natural phytochemicals to alleviate the adverse influences of chemotherapies.

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This study described the subcapsular technique for primary closure castration in donkeys with special regard to its efficiency and welfare impacts. The study was conducted on twelve adult male donkeys, allocated randomly into two groups; subcapsular castration (SC) and open castration (OC) groups, whether the donkeys were subjected to surgical castration either by subcapsular or open castration techniques, respectively. Testosterone, cortisol, lactate, glucose, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and nitric oxide (NO) were measured before and after castration. Pain-associated behavioral activities were recorded post-castration. The SC was successfully performed in donkeys through a single paramedian scrotal incision. The SC was efficient as OC in reducing testosterone levels. The pain score decreased in the SC compared to the OC over time. The SC was an efficient and reliable technique for primary closure castration in donkeys with minimal postoperative complications and care and good cosmetic, physiological, and behavioral outcomes. It can be an alternative to other castration techniques in equines.

Japanese quails are an important source of animal protein. Several recent researches aimed to add natural supplements to the quails' ration to enhance growth, food conversion, or reproductivity. However, the possible adverse effects are almost neglected. This study aims to highlight the effects of Ginger roots on the histological features and functional parameters of the liver and kidney in Japanese male quails. Birds were divided randomly into three equal experimental groups. The first group (control group) was fed a commercial basal mash ration, while the second and third groups were fed on the same ration mixed with 10 and 15 grams of ginger roots/Kg feed, respectively. Supplementation with both doses of Ginger resulted in histopathological abnormalities in the liver and kidney. However, the hepatic and renal cytological deteriorations were mild to a moderate degree. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase were significantly higher in the low Ginger group than in the high Ginger and control groups. Ginger at both doses induced a significant decrease in plasma total cholesterol and uric acid levels and a significant increase in plasma malondialdehyde in Japanese male quails. Despite the observed hepatic and renal histopathological alterations in the Ginger treated groups, they are not sufficient to cause hepatic and renal dysfunction based. In conclusion, using ginger supplementation in quail could be applied at these doses and duration of intervention, however, with caution because the liver and kidney are sensitive to ginger.

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