Artur Jóźwik

Cathelicidins: family of antimicrobial peptides. A review

Cathelicidins are small, cationic, antimicrobial peptides found in humans and other species, including farm animals (cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits and in some species of fish). These proteolytically activated peptides are part of the innate immune system of many vertebrates. These peptides show a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, enveloped viruses and fungi. Apart from exerting direct antimicrobial effects, cathelicidins can also trigger specific defense responses in the host. Their roles in various pathophysiological conditions have been studied in mice and humans, but there are limited information about their expression sites and activities in livestock. The aim of the present review is to summarize current information about these antimicrobial peptides in farm animals, highlighting peptide expression sites, activities, and future applications for human and veterinary medicine.

Defensins: Natural component of human innate immunity

The widespread use of antibiotics has contributed to a huge increase in the number of resistant bacteria. New classes of drugs are therefore being developed of which defensins are a potential source. Defensins are a group of antimicrobial peptides found in different living organisms, involved in the first line of defense in their innate immune response against pathogens. This review summarizes the results of studies of this family of human antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). There is a special emphasis on describing the entire group and individual peptides, history of their discovery, their functions and expression sites. The results of the recent studies on the use of the biologically active peptides in human medicine are also presented. The pharmaceutical potential of human defensins cannot be ignored, especially considering their strong antimicrobial activity and properties such as low molecular weight, reduced immunogenicity, broad activity spectrum and resistance to proteolysis, but there are still many challenges and questions regarding the possibilities of their practical application.

Twelve-year cohort study on the influence of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus infection on milk yield and composition.

This long-term observational cohort study was carried out to evaluate the effect of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) infection on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of milk production in dairy goats. For this purpose, a dairy herd comprising both CAEV-infected and uninfected female goats was observed for 12 consecutive years. Records on daily milk yield, somatic cell count (SCC), and contents of the major milk components (fat, protein and lactose) were collected every month. In total, 3,042 records (1,114 from CAEV-positive and 1,928 from CAEV-negative animals) from 177 female goats were used for statistical analysis. The multi-trait repeatability test-day animal model using the derivative-free multivariate analysis package with the average information-REML method was applied to eliminate the influence of factors other than CAEV infection on milk production in goats. The statistical significance of the differences between estimates for seropositive and seronegative goats was evaluated using Students t-test. The effect of age of goats (parity) on their serological status was also estimated with the one-trait repeatability test-day model. The serological status of goats was linked to parity: the higher the parity, the greater the probability of CAEV infection. No significant differences between infected and uninfected goats with respect to daily milk yield and SCC were found. On the other hand, the milk of uninfected goats contained more total protein (3.40% vs. 3.35%), fat (3.69% vs. 3.54%), and lactose (4.30% vs. 4.25%) than the milk of infected goats. Even though these differences were highly significant, they were small when expressed numerically.

Meat from alternative species – nutritive and dietetic value, and its benefit for human health – a review

The aim of the current review was to shed light on the nutritional composition of meat from alternative species, including red deer, fallow deer, rabbit, horse, pigeon and ratites (mainly ostrich) by comparison with conventional meat, and their benefits for human health. One of the reasons for such interest was the occurrence, in Europe several years ago, of dioxin, Bovine Encephalopathy and foot-and-mouth disease problems in farm animals. Therefore, consumers began to look for alternative kinds of red meat from other non-traditional species. The nutritional composition of meat from alternative species by comparison with conventional meat is characterised by low levels of fat and cholesterol, relatively high concentrations of n-3 and iron. Therefore, the meat from alternative species may supplement the local meat market with good quality products.

Effect of dietary organic and inorganic selenium supplementation on chemical, mineral and fatty acid composition of ostrich meat

This study evaluated the effect of dietary organic and inorganic selenium supplementation on chemical, mineral and fatty acid composition of ostrich meat. Forty ostriches were raised in two groups (OSe and IOSe, diets supplemented with an organic form and an inorganic form of selenium, respectively). The form of selenium had no influence on chemical composition of ostrich muscle. Although, there were no significant differences in total content of SFA, MUFA and PUFA, the content of LA and EPA was higher in the muscles of ostriches which were put on a diet supplemented with an organic form of selenium, what resulted in lower n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio in OSe group (9.99) in comparison to IOSe group (11.70). The results of the study indicate that dietary organic selenium supplementation improves the quality of the ostrich meat as related to the health promoting properties (LA, EPA and selenium content) of meat.

Effect of linseed, rapeseed, and vitamin E long term supplementation on the activity of the lysosomal enzymes in ostrich liver

Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the activity of lysosomal enzymes: aminopeptidases, including alanine aminopeptidase (AlaAP), leucine aminopeptidase (LeuAP), arginine aminopeptidase (ArgAP), and glycosidases, such as β-galactosidase (BGAL), β-glucuronidase (BGRD), β-glucosidase (BGLU), N-acetyl-β-hexosaminidase (HEX), α-glucosidase (AGLU) and α-mannosidase (MAN) in the liver of ostriches (n = 80) fed diet supplemented with linseed (4% and 8%) and rapeseed (5% and 10%), with low and high level of vitamin E. (40 and 100 mg). The results indicate that higher level of vitamin E or 4% linseed supplementation in ostrich diet generally increase the activity of glycosidase enzymes and decrease the activity of aminopeptidases in the liver. The 8% linseed and rapeseeds feeding in decreased the activity of AlaAP, LeuAP, and ArgAP and increased only the activity of BGLU.

Effects of replacing extracted soybean meal with rapeseed cake in corn grass silage-based diet for dairy cows.

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of partial replacement of soybean meal with a protein-equivalent amount of rapeseed cake in the diet on milking parameters and fatty acid (FA) composition of milk in dairy cows. Two groups of Holstein-Friesian cows, 8 each, consisting of randomised blocks were studied: a control group (C) was given a traditional high-protein supplement (extracted soybean meal) and the experimental group (E), had part of extracted soybean meal replaced with rapeseed cake. Dry matter intake and milk yield in both groups were not affected by the diet but milk fat percentage and yield were decreased in both groups. Rapeseed cake had no effect on milk acidity or on protein (including casein) and lactose contents. A lower concentration of urea in milk in E group indicated a proper ratio of protein to energy in the fodder. Health condition of mammary gland and indicators of metabolic profile were not affected by rapeseed cake supplementation. In E group, the share of atherogenic saturated fatty acids (FA) was reduced after 11 weeks: palmitic, by 26% and myristic, by 22%; moreover, as compared with control cows, the content of monounsaturated FA in milk increased by 44% after 3 weeks and by 68% after 11 weeks, t-18:1 and c-9 t-11 isomer of CLA increased about 2.5-fold after 11 weeks. In E group, the atherogenic index (AI) was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than in C (by 54% on average) and the decrease with time was considerable (by 29%, P < 0.001). Contents of odd- and branched- chain FA in milk were not significantly affected thus reflecting proper rumen function. Partial replacement of soybean meal with rapeseed cake in the diet of cows may improve both milking indices and FA profile of milk.

Hepatoprotective, Hypoglycemic, and Hypolipidemic Effect of Chokeberry Pomace on Polish Merino Lambs*

ABSTRACT To properly understand the biological effect of polyphenol compounds, it should not be assumed that they are generally bioavailable and are reaching tissues as expected. It is important to fully understand how polyphenol compounds are absorbed, metabolized, and finally eliminated from the organism. Most polyphenol compounds occur in the forms that cannot be absorbed in their primary form. Sheep make compounds bioavailable due to their unique digestive system properties. Despite this, several species of ruminants likely to serve as an experimental model were considered. However, due to the high costs for cattle and low popularity in the region of goats, sheep were selected as the experimental model. In the study, 24 Polish Merino lambs were randomly divided into a control and two experimental groups. The experimental groups were administered diets with the addition of 150 or 300 g of chokeberry pomace per each kg of complete feed mixture. Phenolics present in the chokeberry pomace were found to modulate biochemical blood parameters, resulting in hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. Finally, the increase in total phenolics in the serum and liver of lambs induced a health-promoting effect on liver metabolic profile parameters.

Chokeberry Pomace as a Determinant of Antioxidant Parameters Assayed in Blood and Liver Tissue of Polish Merino and Wrzosówka Lambs

Despite being a plant by-product, chokeberry pomace is believed to exert some therapeutic effects because it is one of the richest sources of highly bioavailable non-enzymatic antioxidants. The aim of this study was to determine the functionality of bioactive compounds present in the Aronia melanocarpa pomace (chokeberry) based on enzymatic and non-enzymatic parameters related to the active defence of liver and blood against the effects of oxidative stress. The experiment was conducted with 48 lambs of two breeds—Polish Merino and Wrzosówka. Experimental groups were administered the basic feed with the addition of 150 g or 300 g of black chokeberry pomace per each kg of the complete feed. The activities of antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase), peptides (glutathione, glutathione disulfide), and a lipid peroxidation indicator (malondialdehyde), as well as the capacity of non-enzymatic antioxidants were investigated. The results proved a strong effect of bioactive compounds contained in the black chokeberry pomace on the estimated parameters. The inclusion of chokeberry pomace in feed mixtures brought many benefits linked with the antioxidative protection. Parameters responsible for the oxidative status were significantly modified despite the commonly-held view about a limited possibility of transferring phenolic compounds to the organs.

Morphological, densitometric and mechanical properties of pelvic limb bones in 14-month-old female ostriches (Struthio camelus)

Limited information on physiological characteristic of bones in ostrich skeleton are available, even though bone weaknesses in ostriches are commonplace. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate morphological, densitometric, and mechanical properties of pelvic limb long bones (femur, tibia, and tarsometatarsus) in 14-month-old female ostriches (Struthio camelus var. domesticus). After the slaughter procedure, all bones were isolated, cleaned of soft tissues, and bone weight and length were determined. Using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were determined. Volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and geometrical parameters of the bones were determined using the quantitative computed tomography (QCT) method. Maximum elastic strength and ultimate strength of the bones were determined using three-point bending test. Significant differences were revealed between morphological, densitometric, and mechanical properties of femur, tibia, and tarsometatarsus in female ostriches at the slaughter age of 14 months. Elaborated experimental model and determination of morphological, densitometric, and mechanical properties of femur, tibia, and tarsometatarsus in female ostriches may serve for further studies on metabolic regulation of skeletal system properties with environmental, physiological, dietary, pharmacological, and toxicological factors.