Muneendra Kumar

Cytoprotective role of Solanum nigrum against gentamicin-induced kidney cell (Vero cells) damage in vitro

The 50% ethanol extract of the whole plant of Solanum nigrum was tested in vitro for its cytoprotection against gentamicin-induced toxicity on Vero cells. Cytotoxicity was significantly inhibited as assessed by the Trypan blue exclusion assay and mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity (MTT) assay. The test extract also exhibited significant hydroxyl radical scavenging potential, thus suggesting its probable mechanism of cytoprotection.

Effect of Luffa echinata on lipid peroxidation and free radical scavenging activity.

The dried alcoholic (50%) extract of the plant Luffa echinata was investigated for inhibition of lipid peroxidation, for hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and interaction with 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl stable free radical (DPPH).

Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging and Protective Role of Tephrosia purpurea in Gentamicin-Induced Kidney Cell Damage

Tephrosia purpurea, commonly known as Sarphonka, is widely used in the traditional Indian system of medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent and also used in various liver, spleen and kidney disorders. The protective role of this plant has been investigated in gentamicin-induced rat kidney cortical cell damage. The alcohol extract of T. purpurea showed a significant hydroxyl radical scavenging activity in vitro. Using a Trypan blue exclusion assay, it was found that the extract markedly increased the percentage viability of the isolated rat kidney cortical cells in gentamicin-induced cell damage. By the evaluation of LDH activity and acid phosphatase content, it was established that the cell damage was minimized in the case of cells treated with the extract of T. purpurea. The hydroxyl radical scavenging effect of the extract was enhanced with increases in the concentration of drug, suggesting the role of free radical scavengers in minimizing gentamicin-induced kidney cell damage.

Effect of additional vitamin E and zinc supplementation on immunological changes in peripartum Sahiwal cows

This study was conducted to exploit ameliorative effect of additional vitamin E and/or zinc supplementation on immune response of peripartum Sahiwal cows. Thirty-two pregnant dry Sahiwal cows were blocked into four treatment groups (n = 8), namely control, zinc (Zn), vitamin E (Vit E) and zinc + vitamin E (Zn + Vit E). Feeding regimen was same in all the groups except that the Sahiwal cows in the zinc-, vitamin E- and zinc + vitamin E-fed groups were additionally supplemented with 60 mg Zn/kg DM, 1000 IU vitamin E and 60 mg/kg + 1000 IU Zn + vitamin E, respectively, from day 60 pre-partum to day 90 post-partum. Blood samples were collected on days -60, -45, -30, -15, -7, -3, 0, 3, 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 with respect to day of parturition and analysed for total immunoglobulin (TIG), immunoglobulin G (IgG), interleukin-2 (IL-2), vitamin E (Vit E) and zinc (Zn) status. Before calving, cows showed a decrease in plasma TIG, IgG, IL-2, Vit E and Zn levels. However, increased levels of plasma TIG, IgG, IL-2, Vit E and Zn were observed after calving. After calving, Sahiwal cows supplemented with Zn + Vit E had higher plasma TIG, IgG and IL-2 in comparison with cows of control and Zn + Vit E-fed groups. In the present study, plasma vitamin E level was higher in Vit E-fed and Zn + Vit E-fed cows; however, zinc level was higher in Zn- and Zn + Vit E-supplemented cows. In conclusion, a reduced immune response during peripartum period in Sahiwal cows was ameliorated by dietary vitamin E and zinc supplementation.

Nutrient utilisation, growth performance and blood metabolites in Murrah buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis) divergently selected for residual feed intake

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in efficiency of feed utilisation between buffalo calves with low and high residual feed intake (RFI) by comparing feed intake, nutrient digestibility, growth traits and blood metabolites. Eighteen male Murrah buffalo calves (aged 4–6 months; 70 ± 1.0 kg body weight) were fed ad libitum with a total mixed ration for 120 d. Based on linear regression models involving dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) and mid-test metabolic body size, calves were assigned into low and high RFI groups. The RFI varied from −0.33 to +0.28 kg DM/d with an average RFI of −0.14 and 0.14 kg DM/d in low and high RFI calves, respectively. Calves had a mean DMI of 1.9 and 2.4 kg/d and an ADG of 0.5 and 0.6 kg/d in low and high RFI groups, respectively. Low RFI calves ate 19.0% less DM each day and required significantly less metabolisable energy for maintenance compared with high RFI calves (12.5 vs. 16.7 MJ/d). Nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance did not differ among low and high RFI calves. In more efficient animals (low RFI calves) higher (p < 0.05) plasma level of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), triiodothyronine (T3) and lower concentration of thyroxin hormone were detected. No significant differences in levels of insulin, hydroxyproline, plasma and urine creatinine, total protein and albumin between high and low RFI groups were found. Blood metabolites showed significant (p < 0.05) differences at initial and final stages of study in both groups. At final stage of study, RFI showed negative correlations with growth hormone, IGF-1, T3, urine creatinine and albumin. Low RFI buffalo calves are more efficient in feed utilisation and the differences in blood metabolites are probably due to differences in feed intake and body metabolism.

Effect of varying levels of formaldehyde treatment of mustard oil cake on rumen fermentation, digestibility in wheat straw based total mixed diets in vitro

Aim: The aim of the current study was to protect the protein in mustard cake by different levels of formaldehyde treatment with a view to optimize the level of formaldehyde. Materials and Methods: Different levels of formaldehyde treatment (0, 1, 1.5 and 2% of crude protein) containing concentrate and roughages diet in 40:60 ratio were tested for their effect on nutrients digestibility, in vitro ammonia release, in vitro gas production and change in protein fractions. Non-significant (p≤0.05) effect on pH, microbial biomass, partitioning factor, total gas production (TGP), TGP per g dry matter and TGP per g digestible dry matter (ml/g) was observed in almost all the treatments. Results: Total volatile fatty acids at 2% formaldehyde treatment level of mustard cake was lower (p<0.05) as compared to other groups, while in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro organic matter digestibility were reported to be low in 1% formaldehyde treated group. Conclusion: On a holistic view, it could be considered that formaldehyde treatment at 1.5% level was optimal for protection of mustard oil cake protein.

Effect of zinc and vitamin E supplementation on hormones and blood biochemicals in peri-partum Sahiwal cows

Thirty-two advanced pregnant multiparous Sahiwal cows were used to study the effect of additional zinc (Zn) and vitamin E (VE) supplementation on hormonal and biochemical changes. Cows were randomly assigned to four groups and fed a basal diet of compounded concentrate, berseem fodder, and wheat straw in a ratio of 60:20:20. The groups were: (1) the basal diet with no supplement (control treatment); (2) the basal diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg DM/cow daily of Zn (Zn treatment); (3) the basal diet supplemented with 1000 IU/cow daily of vitamin E (VE treatment); and (4) the basal diet supplemented with a combination of 60 mg Zn/kg DM/cow and 1000 IU vitamin E/cow/d (Zn + VE treatment). Blood samples were collected on -60, -45, -30, -15, -7, -3, 0, 3, 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 d in relation to expected date of calving and were analyzed for endocrine variables and biochemical changes. Plasma concentrations of leptin, insulin, insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), triidothyronine (T3), and tetraiodothyronine (T4) were decreased toward calving and observed lowest (P < 0.05) on 3 d post-partum. However, plasma levels of growth hormone (GH) and cortisol increased toward calving and were found highest (P < 0.05) on 3 d post-partum. Pre-partum concentrations of leptin and IGF-1 were higher (P < 0.05) than its respective concentration observed during post-partum. Post-partum concentrations of GH and cortisol were higher (P < 0.05) than its respective pre-partum concentration. Pre-partum concentrations of urea, triglycerides, Zn, and VE were higher (P < 0.05) and total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were lower than its values observed in post-partum among all the groups. Treatments had significant (P < 0.05) effect on plasma hormonal levels and levels of Zn and VE but no effect on biochemical attributes. Cows fed on diet supplemented with Zn + VE had highest (P < 0.05) pre as well as post-calving concentrations of leptin (6.38 vs 5.01 ng/ml), insulin (1.39 vs 1.33 ng/ml), GH (9.29 vs 13.72 ng/ml), IGF-1 (14.55 vs 12.59 nmol/l), T3 (1.45 vs 1.40 ng/ml), T4 (32.44 vs 31.79 ng/ml) whereas as lowest concentration of cortisol hormone (3.05 vs 3.44 ng/ml). Cows supplemented with combination of Zn and VE showed minimum decline in plasma concentration of leptin, insulin, GH, IGF-1, T3, and T4, and minimum increase in cortisol concentration. In conclusion, dairy cows around parturition faces various endocrine and biochemical alterations and supplementation of Zn in combination with VE can ameliorate adverse effect of calving stress by maintaining circulatory concentration of hormone and biochemicals towards the basal levels.

Effect of Feeding Sugarcane Molasses Based Distilleries Raw Spent Wash on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization and Blood Biochemical Parameters in Heifers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the molasses based raw spent wash as an alternative energy feed substitute in heifers. The study was conducted in two phases. In phase I, effect of replacement of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of substrate with raw spent wash was studied on in vitro DM digestibility (IVTDMD), in vitro OM digestibility (IVTOMD), pH, in vitro gas production, partitioning factor (PF), total volatile fatty acid (TVFA), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and microbial biomass production (MBP). Results revealed that there was no significant effect of incorporation of different levels raw spent wash on gas production, TVFA production and NH3-N. IVTDMD and IVTOMD digestibility and MBP showed positive correlation with raw spent wash levels. In phase II, eighteen heifers were randomly allocated into three groups (n=6) for a period of 150 d on body weight basis. Feeding regimen was similar in all the groups except that the 10 and 20% barley grains of concentrate mixture were replaced with raw spent wash (RSW). Inclusion of 10 and 20% RSW did not alter feed intake, growth performance and nutrient digestibility among groups. The levels of haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total protein, globulin, alanine transaminase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, plasma urea nitrogen, Ca, P, Mg, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and non esterified fatty acids. A higher (P<0.05) concentration of white blood cells, albumin, cholesterol, glucose and immunoglobulin was detected in RSW included groups. In conclusion, upto 10% barley grain could be replaced by raw spent wash without any adverse effect on nutrients intake, nutrient utilization and blood metabolites.

Metabolizable Protein Requirements of Lactating Murrah Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Fed on Silage Based Diets

The aim of present study was to determine the metabolizable protein (MP) requirements of lactating buffaloes fed on silage based diet. Fifteen lactating Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) were allocated into three treatments (n=5) on the basis of milk production (7.10±0.40) and days in milk (118±5.0 d). The nutrient requirements of buffaloes were met by feeding maize silage: concentrate mixture in proportion of 60: 40 for a period of 96 days. The MP level in second treatment (Control; 11.1% on DM basis) was provided as per ICAR (2013) standards whereas in treatment one and three, MP levels were 10% lower (10% LMP) and 10% higher (10% HMP), respectively than ICAR (2013) requirements. Feeding of diets containing varying levels of MP did not affect body weight, milk production and milk composition, urinary levels of purine derivatives and microbial N production. The N intake and N excretion showed positive correlation with dietary MP content and reported highest (P<0.05) in 10% HMP fed buffaloes. The estimated MP requirement for maintenance plus 6% fat corrected milk yield (6% FCM) in experimental buffaloes were 2.56 g/kg W0.75 and 66.78 g/kg, respectively. The estimated MP requirements for maintenance and 6% FCM were 3.11% lower and 1.13% higher than recommendation of ICAR (2013), respectively. In conclusion, performance of lactating buffaloes was not affected by feeding diets containing 10% higher or 10% lesser MP than ICAR (2013) recommendation. As per current study, ICAR (2013) recommendation can be used for feeding lactating buffaloes.

Nutrient Digestibility and Plane of Nutrition of Different Varieties of Normal and High Quality Protein Maize (HQPM) Fodder at Pre-cob and Post-cob Stage in Lactating Sahiwal Cows

The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutrient intake and digestibility of four different varieties (HTHM 5101, DHM 117, HM 5 and Shaktiman/900M Gold) of normal and three (HQPM 5, HQPM 7, HQPM 9/ Vivek) HQPM fodder at pre-cob and post-cob stage in lactating sahiwal cows. Thirty-two multiparous Sahiwal cows in early to mid lactation were selected from herd maintained at ILFC, Mathura and were divided into eight group of four animal each. The seeds of experimental varieties were procured from International Maize and Wheat Centre (CIMMYT) New Delhi and the fodders were cultivated under identical conditions in different plots.. Each group was fed with different variety of maize along with basal diet.. Two digestibility trials of seven days were conducted both at the end of feeding of pre and post cob stages of fodder respectively.. The variety DHM 117 have shown higher (P<0.05) DCP and TDN intake at both pre and post-cob stages of the fodder. The digestibility of DM, OM and CP was significantly (P<0.05) higher for DHM 117 whereas, in post cobs stage the normal varieties (DHM 117, HM 5, and HTHM 5101) exhibited higher DM and OM digestibility. However, the digestibility of DM, OM and CP was lower for HQPM 9 and HQPM 5 varieties at both stages respectively. From the present study varietal effect was observed and the variety DHM 117 have shown higher intake and digestibility at both pre and post-cob stages however long-term study with large number of animals is advisable. for recommendation.