Zuozhao Wang

Subchronic toxicity study of corn silk with rats.

AIM OF THIS STUDY Corn silk is a traditional herbal medicine in China, which has been used in many parts of the world for the treatment of edema as well as for cystitis, gout, kidney stones, nephritis, prostatitis and similar ailments. However, there is little scientific evidence about its safety. As a part of its safety assessment, a subchronic toxicity was performed in this paper. METHODS The subchronic toxicity was investigated in male and female Wistar rats by dietary administration at concentrations of 0.5%, 2.0% and 8.0% (w/w) for 90 days. Overall health, body weight, food consumption, hematology, blood chemistry, organ weights, gross and microscopic appearance of tissues were compared between test and control groups. RESULTS A number of significant differences were seen between groups, but none of them was considered to be adverse. Based on the present study, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of corn silk is at least 8.0% which corresponds to a mean daily corn silk intake of approximately 9.354 and 10.308 g/day/kg body weight for males and females, respectively. CONCLUSION The results obtained in the present study suggest that consumption of corn silk has no adverse effects and support the safety of corn silk for humans.

Serum antioxidant capacity of dairy cows with subclinical ketosis

KETOSIS is a common metabolic disorder that is frequently observed in dairy cows during the early lactation period. Evaluation of oxidative stress has increasingly contributed to the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms involved in metabolic disorders ([Turk and others 2008][1]). However,

Renal function of dairy cows with subclinical ketosis

KETOSIS is a common disease of dairy cows resulting from a metabolic disorder that leads to hypoglycaemia and the formation of ketones (Zhang and others 2011). The evaluation of renal function has contributed to understanding of the fundamental mechanisms involved in metabolic disorders. However, there have been few studies of the renal function of dairy cows with subclinical ketosis. Impaired renal function is a common clinical diagnosis in animals and human beings (Raskin and Unger 1978, Brown and others 2007); serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are markers routinely used to evaluate kidney function in animals and human beings (Keegan and Webb 2010). The objective of this study was to examine the differences in β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), total protein (TP), BUN and creatinine concentrations in healthy dairy cows and cows affected by subclinical ketosis during the early lactation period. Venous blood was sampled from 55 healthy cows and 55 subclinically affected cows within the first two months of lactation. Animals included in the study were Holstein dairy cows, three to six years of age, all …

Impacts of Sandification on Ecological Functions and Conservation Measures in Xianghai Wetlands

The present conditions, causes of sandification and its impacts on the ecological functions of Xianghai wetlands have been studied. Results indicate that human irrational exploitation is the key cause of the sandification of the wetland. The ecological functions of the wetlands, for instance, in flood control, pollution filter, water purification, aquatic productivity, and habitat provision for a wide range of animal species, have been seriously affected. To effectively exploit and utilize the river flooding wetland resources, it is necessary to create integrate assessment index system for wetland. It is suggested that positive management strategies and measures for regulation and restoration of wetlands, sustainable exploitation of wetlands and water resource should be taken, so as to control sandification.