Tagang Aluwong

Effect of Yeast Probiotic on Growth, Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and Malondialdehyde Concentration of Broiler Chickens.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of yeast probiotic on body weight, and the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of broiler chickens. The experiment was carried out on hybrid Hubbard broiler chickens (n = 200). Two-hundred day-old chicks were randomly selected and distributed into four groups of 50 day-old chicks each: Control, C, and treatment groups comprising T1, T2 and T3 administered with 0.25 mL, 0.5 mL and 1.0 mL yeast probiotic, respectively. Chicks were fed a commercial starter diet for the first 28 days of age, followed by pelleted finisher diet from 29 to 42 days. Chickens in T1 had a significantly (p < 0.01) higher body weight at 4th week of age when compared with the control. SOD activity in all treatment groups was not significantly (p > 0.05) different when compared with the control. GPx activity was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in T1, when compared with the control. GPx activity in T2 was higher (p < 0.01) when compared with the control. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in MDA level in all the treatment groups. In conclusion, administering yeast probiotic supplement increased body weight and enhanced serum anti-oxidant enzyme activities of broiler chickens.

Amelioration of Hyperglycaemia, Oxidative Stress and Dyslipidaemia in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats Treated with Probiotic and Vitamin C

Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that hyperglycaemia is responsible for the oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus. The study was designed to investigate the comparative effects of probiotic and vitamin C (Vit-C) treatments on hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress and dyslipidaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) was induced in male Wistar rats by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg). Six groups of the animals received the following treatment regimens for four weeks: (1) Normal saline, per os; (2) alloxan (150 mg/kg, i.p.); (3) alloxan (150 mg/kg) + insulin (4 U/kg, subcutaneously); (4) alloxan (150 mg/kg) + probiotic (4.125 × 106 CFU/100 mL per os); (5) alloxan (150 mg/kg) + Vit-C (100 mg/kg, i.m.); (6) alloxan (150 mg/kg) + probiotic (4.125 × 106 CFU/100 mL per os) + Vit-C (100 mg/kg, intramuscularly). Probiotic + Vit-C decreased (p < 0.05) blood glucose concentration in diabetic treated group, when compared with the untreated diabetic group. Probiotic + Vit-C reduced malondialdehyde concentration, in the serum, brain and kidneys, respectively, but increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Probiotic and Vit-C may be more effective than Vit-C alone, in ameliorating hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress and dyslipidaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Influence of seasonal changes on physiological variables, haematology and serum thyroid hormones profile in male Red Sokoto and Sahel goats

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological responses of adult male Red Sokoto goats (n = 10; indigenous to the Guinea Savannah climate) and Sahel goats (n = 10; indigenous to the Sahel climate) at the peak of the cold-dry (CDS), hot-dry (HDS) and rainy seasons prevailing in the Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria. Results revealed that Red Sokoto goats had significantly higher rectal temperature (RT), PCV, red blood cell (RBC), Hb, thyroxin (T4), but lower respiratory rate (RR) and total leucocyte count (TLC) than Sahel goats during the CDS. Comparison within breeds for the three seasons showed that both breeds exhibited the highest (P < .05) PR, RT, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (N:L), but lower mean corpuscular volume and triiodothyronine (T3) during the HDS. In addition, Red Sokoto goats showed higher (P < .05) RR and T4, but lower RBC, Hb, lymphocyte counts and T3:T4. However, Sahel goats exhibited higher (P < .05) PCV, RBC, erythrocyte osmotic fragility, but lower circulating T4. It was concluded that the cold and hot seasons exerted different physiological effects on the two breeds of goats with marked variation in RT, composition of blood cellular components, thyroid physiology and erythrocyte membrane integrity.

Flavonoid mixture ameliorates increase in erythrocyte osmotic fragility and malondialdehyde concentration induced by Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infection in Wistar rats.

The experiment was performed with the aim of investigating the effect of a flavonoid mixture, Daflon® 500 mg (DF) on the erythrocyte fragility and lipoperoxidative changes, induced by Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in Wistar rats. Fifty adult male rats randomly divided into five groups of 10 animals each were used. Rats in the control group were administered (1 mL/kg) distilled water only, while the other groups were infected with T. brucei brucei and treated with Daflon® 500 mg and/or Diminazene aceturate. At the end of 5 weeks, EDTA-blood samples and serum samples were collected from the rats, and were used to determine erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration respectively. The results showed that EOF and MDA concentration significantly (P<0.05) increased in the infected untreated group when compared to the treatment groups. Treatment with Daflon® 500 mg and Diminazene aceturate significantly (P<0.05) reduced trypanosome-induced increases in EOF and lipoperoxidative changes, suggesting possible antioxidant properties of Daflon® 500 mg and its therapeutic value in trypanosomosis.

Daily rhythms of cloacal temperature in broiler chickens of different age groups administered with zinc gluconate and probiotic during the hot‐dry season

The aim of the experiment was to evaluate effects of zinc gluconate (ZnGlu) and probiotic administration on the daily rhythm of cloacal temperature (tcloacal) in broiler chickens of different age groups during the hot‐dry season. One‐day‐old broiler chicks (n = 60) were divided into groups I–IV of 15 chicks per group, and treated for 35 days: Group I (control) was given deionized water; Group II, ZnGlu (50 mg/kg); Group III, probiotic (4.125 × 106 cfu/100 mL), and Group IV, ZnGlu (50 mg/kg) + probiotic (4.125 × 106 cfu/100 mL). Air dry‐bulb temperature (tdb), relative humidity (RH), and temperature‐humidity index (THI) inside the pen, and tcloacal of each broiler chick were obtained bihourly over a 24‐h period; on days 21, 28, and 35 of the study. Values of tdb (32.10 ± 0.49°C), RH (49.94 ± 1.91%), and THI (38.85 ± 0.42) obtained were outside the thermoneutral zone for broiler chickens, and suggested that the birds were subjected to heat stress. Application of the periodic model showed disruption of daily rhythm of tcloacal in broilers on day 21, which was synchronized by probiotic administration. The administration of probiotics or ZnGlu + probiotics to a greater extent decreased the mesor and amplitude, delayed the acrophases of tcloacal in broilers, especially at day 35, as compared to the controls. Overall, the tcloacal values in broiler chickens administered with probiotic alone (41.25 ± 0.05°C) and ZnGlu + probiotic (41.52 ± 0.05°C) were lower (P < 0.001) than that of the controls (41.94 ± 0.06°C). In conclusion, probiotic alone synchronized tcloacal of the birds at day 21, and, in addition, decreased tcloacal response most, followed by its coadministration with ZnGlu, the antioxidants may be beneficial in modulating daily rhythmicity of tcloacal and alleviating adverse effects of heat stress on broiler chickens during the hot‐dry season.

Daily Rhythms of Blood Parameters in Broiler Chickens Reared under Tropical Climate Conditions

Several studies carried out on humans and other mammals show that the temporal organisation of haematological parameters in the blood exhibit daily rhythms; however, such studies have been rare in poultry reared under a natural photoperiod. The present study investigated the occurrence of daily rhythms in blood parameters of broiler chickens kept under tropical climatic conditions. Ten 6–7-week-old broiler chickens served as subjects of the study. They were kept in standard individual cages under natural light-dark cycle and given access to feed and water ad libitum. Two milliliters of blood was collected from each bird via intravenous cannulae inserted into the wing vein. The blood samples were collected every 4 h over a 24-h period, starting from 09:00 h on the first day and completed at 09:00 h on the second day. The blood samples were analysed for erythrocyte, total and differential leucocyte counts. A trigonometric statistical model according to the single cosinor procedure was used to describe the periodic parameters and their acrophases, and ANOVA was used to determine significant differences. The results demonstrated the existence of daily rhythms in packed cell volume, haemoglobin, white blood cell, red blood cell, heterophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil and monocyte counts, while total protein displayed no rhythm. The characteristics of the haematological parameters showed that the acrophases were restricted to the light phase of the light/dark cycle, precisely at 09:00 h, except for eosinophil and heterophil counts, which had acrophases at 21:00 h. The amplitudes of the blood parameters varied, with packed cell volume having the greatest amplitude of 4.2 ± 0.5, closely followed by lymphocyte (3.4 ± 0.5) and heterophil (2.3 ± 0.2) counts. In conclusion, the results of the study demonstrated the existence of daily rhythms with diurnal acrophases in blood parameters of broiler chickens kept under natural photoperiods and tropical conditions.

Effect of different levels of supplemental yeast on performance indices, serum enzymes and electrolytes of broiler chickens

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of supplemental probiotic preparation on performance indices, serum enzymes and electrolytes of broiler chickens. Two hundred (200) day-old Marshall broiler chicks were randomly selected and distributed based on the level of supplementation into four groups of 50 chicks each (Control, C; E10.5%, E21.5% and E32.0%). Chickens fed 2.0% probiotic had a significantly higher body weight when compared with the control group. Activity of alanine aminotransferase differed significantly in the group E10.5%, and especially (p<0.01) in the group E11.5%. Alkaline phosphatase activity decreased significantly (p<0.05), when compared with that of the control group. Serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations in experimental groups were significantly higher. Potassium concentration in experimental group rose significantly (p<0.05), when compared with that of the control broiler chickens. In conclusion, supplementing broiler feeds with 2.0% yeast probiotic improved performance indices, serum enzyme activities and enhanced the maintenance of electrolyte homeostasis in broiler chickens. Keywords: Body weight, feed conversion ratio, serum biochemistry, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, broiler chicken. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(35), pp. 5480-5485

Evaluation of levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and some haematologic parameters of dogs with cutaneous wounds

&NA; The aim of the study was to investigate the time‐course of serum and wound fluids interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐8 levels in dogs with cutaneous wounds and their relationship with some haematologic parameters. The experimental group comprised of six adult dogs that underwent surgery with wounds (n = 6) on the mid lateral aspect of the right antebrachium; and control group of six, apparently, healthy intact (free from cutaneous wounds) adult dogs, comprising equal number of both sexes. Vital signs evaluated were within normal limits. Samples of blood, serum and wound fluids harvested pre‐ and at 12 h, 36 h, 60 h, 156 h and 324 h post‐injury, were utilised for IL‐6 and IL‐8 assay and haematology. Peak concentrations of IL‐6 in wound fluid (1.33. ± 0.33 ng/mL) and serum (0.82 ± 0.24 ng/mL) of the experimental group at 12 h post‐operation were higher (P < 0.01) than the control (0.30 ± 0.05 ng/mL). Concentrations of IL‐8 at 12 h and 60 h in wound fluid (0.21 ± 0.05 ng/mL and 0.22 ± 0.11 ng/mL) respectively were lower (P < 0.05) than serum (0.71 ± 0.21 ng/mL and 0.73 ± 0.24 ng/mL) respectively in the experimental group and corresponding values recorded in controls (0.34 ± 0.09 ng/mL and 0.36 ± 0.14 ng/mL). The haematological and biochemical parameters exhibited minimum fluctuations, but values were within normal ranges. Significant correlations were obtained between serum and wound fluid IL‐6 (r = 0.827, P < 0.05); wound fluid IL‐6 and monocyte count (r = 0.818, P < 0.04); wound fluid IL‐6 and haematocrit (r = −0.894, P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between serum IL‐8 and serum IL‐6 (r = 0.622, P > 0.05) and serum IL‐8 and wound fluid IL‐8 (r = 0.718, P > 0.05) in the experimental group. In conclusion, IL‐6 and IL‐8 exerted modulated inflammatory processes following cutaneous wounds in dogs. Further studies are required to investigate the expression patterns of IL‐6 and IL‐8 in cutaneous wounds in order to improve the quality of management of cutaneous wounds.

Circadian rhythms of biomarkers of oxidative stress and their characteristics in broiler chickens reared under natural light/dark cycle

Abstract For the purpose of studying circadian rhythms of biomarkers of oxidative stress in broiler chickens maintained under natural photoperiod, we collected blood from the wing veins of 10 matured broiler chickens every three hours for a period of 24 h. The blood samples were analyzed for superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The fitting in of single cosinor procedure showed that CAT and MDA exhibited clear circadian rhythms, while SOD did not. The amplitude of daily rhythms for the parameters was small, while the acrophases were all restricted to the light phase of the light:dark cycle. In conclusion, to our knowledge, this is the first time investigation of the circadian rhythms of antioxidants in broilers chickens, reared under natural photoperiod in the tropics. The result may be exploited for a more precise targeting of reactive oxygen species, thereby offering better protection for the cells to combat oxidative stress.

Heamatobiochemical Alterations Induced by Carbamazepine and Phenytoin: Mini Review

This review was carried out to conduct a literature survey of the effects of anticonvulsants carbamazepine (CBZ), phenytoin (PHT) and their combination on haematological and serum biochemical parameters. CBZ and PHT are among the oldest AEDs and usually the first line of treatment in epilepsy, being prescribed alone or sometimes in combination for retractable epilepsy. AEDs have been associated with different side effects which could be deleterious to the haemopoietic, nervous and/or hepatic systems. However, these effects may subside with the discontinuation of the medication(s). Side effects are prominent with the older AEDs such as CBZ, PHT, valproic acid (VPA) and phenobarbital (PB).