This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) and β-glucan (BG) prebiotic (AGRIMOS®) on the redox homeostasis, histopathology, and microglia count in the brain of heat-stressed broiler chickens. One hundred sixty eight (168) Ross one-day-old broiler chicks were obtained from local hatchery. The experiment was started at 28-day old; where birds were exposed to heat stress and were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments containing 0 (control), 0.5, 2, and 4 g/kg MOS and BG probiotic, respectively, for 14 days. Each treatment consisted of three replicates of 14 birds each (i.e., total birds/treatment count is 42 birds). The results indicated a significant decrease in catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in all MOS and β-glucan prebiotic treated groups. Supplementation with 0.5 g of prebiotic/kg diet resulted in a significant increase in glutathione levels; however, a significant decrease in superoxide radicals was found at dose of 4 g of prebiotic/kg diet. The levels of lipid peroxidation in supplemented groups exhibited a significant decrease at doses of 2 and 4 g of prebiotic/kg diet. Although there were no obvious changes in the histoarchitecture of cerebellar tissues, a significant increase in the number of microglia was evident following administration with 4 g of prebiotic/kg diet. In conclusion, supplementation of MOS and BG may be regarded as promising candidate for alleviating the undesirable effects of heat challenge on the brain of broiler chickens, nevertheless; further studies are warranted to look for other nutritional approaches.

This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) and β-glucan (BG) prebiotic (AGRIMOS®) on the redox homeostasis, histopathology, and microglia count in the brain of heat-stressed broiler chickens. One hundred sixty eight (168) Ross one-day-old broiler chicks were obtained from local hatchery. The experiment was started at 28-day old; where birds were exposed to heat stress and were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments containing 0 (control), 0.5, 2, and 4 g/kg MOS and BG probiotic, respectively, for 14 days. Each treatment consisted of three replicates of 14 birds each (i.e., total birds/treatment count is 42 birds). The results indicated a significant decrease in catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in all MOS and β-glucan prebiotic treated groups. Supplementation with 0.5 g of prebiotic/kg diet resulted in a significant increase in glutathione levels; however, a significant decrease in superoxide radicals was found at dose of 4 g of prebiotic/kg diet. The levels of lipid peroxidation in supplemented groups exhibited a significant decrease at doses of 2 and 4 g of prebiotic/kg diet. Although there were no obvious changes in the histoarchitecture of cerebellar tissues, a significant increase in the number of microglia was evident following administration with 4 g of prebiotic/kg diet. In conclusion, supplementation of MOS and BG may be regarded as promising candidate for alleviating the undesirable effects of heat challenge on the brain of broiler chickens, nevertheless; further studies are warranted to look for other nutritional approaches.

This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) and β-glucan (BG) prebiotic (AGRIMOS®) on the redox homeostasis, histopathology, and microglia count in the brain of heat-stressed broiler chickens. One hundred sixty eight (168) Ross one-day-old broiler chicks were obtained from local hatchery. The experiment was started at 28-day old; where birds were exposed to heat stress and were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments containing 0 (control), 0.5, 2, and 4 g/kg MOS and BG probiotic, respectively, for 14 days. Each treatment consisted of three replicates of 14 birds each (i.e., total birds/treatment count is 42 birds). The results indicated a significant decrease in catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in all MOS and β-glucan prebiotic treated groups. Supplementation with 0.5 g of prebiotic/kg diet resulted in a significant increase in glutathione levels; however, a significant decrease in superoxide radicals was found at dose of 4 g of prebiotic/kg diet. The levels of lipid peroxidation in supplemented groups exhibited a significant decrease at doses of 2 and 4 g of prebiotic/kg diet. Although there were no obvious changes in the histoarchitecture of cerebellar tissues, a significant increase in the number of microglia was evident following administration with 4 g of prebiotic/kg diet. In conclusion, supplementation of MOS and BG may be regarded as promising candidate for alleviating the undesirable effects of heat challenge on the brain of broiler chickens, nevertheless; further studies are warranted to look for other nutritional approaches.

This study was designed to compare between the effects of subcutaneous injection of ivermectin at the left neck region versus behind the left elbow on the acute behavioural and biochemical responses of sheep, with the aim of selecting the most suitable injection strategy causing the least adverse effects on the animal health and welfare. Twenty-five sheep were assigned to 5 groups: one control group (C, without injection), and two groups injected with 0.9% NaCl either at neck (SN) or elbow (SE), and two groups injected with ivermectin (IVM) at a dose of 0.2 mg kg-1 BW either at neck (IN) or elbow (IE). Results reflected that head shaking and neck scratching showed significant increases in the IN group, while standing was significantly lower in the IE group compared to the C group. Pawing was significantly higher in both SE and IE groups compared to the C group. Plasma levels of cortisol, glucose and lactate were significantly increased in both IN and IE groups. There were no obvious changes in the levels of other stress markers among the different treated groups. In conclusions, the magnitude of acute stress reactivity was not significantly different between IVM injections behind the elbow and at the neck region.

This study was designed to compare between the effects of subcutaneous injection of ivermectin at the left neck region versus behind the left elbow on the acute behavioural and biochemical responses of sheep, with the aim of selecting the most suitable injection strategy causing the least adverse effects on the animal health and welfare. Twenty-five sheep were assigned to 5 groups: one control group (C, without injection), and two groups injected with 0.9% NaCl either at neck (SN) or elbow (SE), and two groups injected with ivermectin (IVM) at a dose of 0.2 mg kg-1 BW either at neck (IN) or elbow (IE). Results reflected that head shaking and neck scratching showed significant increases in the IN group, while standing was significantly lower in the IE group compared to the C group. Pawing was significantly higher in both SE and IE groups compared to the C group. Plasma levels of cortisol, glucose and lactate were significantly increased in both IN and IE groups. There were no obvious changes in the levels of other stress markers among the different treated groups. In conclusions, the magnitude of acute stress reactivity was not significantly different between IVM injections behind the elbow and at the neck region.

This study was designed to compare between the effects of subcutaneous injection of ivermectin at the left neck region versus behind the left elbow on the acute behavioural and biochemical responses of sheep, with the aim of selecting the most suitable injection strategy causing the least adverse effects on the animal health and welfare. Twenty-five sheep were assigned to 5 groups: one control group (C, without injection), and two groups injected with 0.9% NaCl either at neck (SN) or elbow (SE), and two groups injected with ivermectin (IVM) at a dose of 0.2 mg kg-1 BW either at neck (IN) or elbow (IE). Results reflected that head shaking and neck scratching showed significant increases in the IN group, while standing was significantly lower in the IE group compared to the C group. Pawing was significantly higher in both SE and IE groups compared to the C group. Plasma levels of cortisol, glucose and lactate were significantly increased in both IN and IE groups. There were no obvious changes in the levels of other stress markers among the different treated groups. In conclusions, the magnitude of acute stress reactivity was not significantly different between IVM injections behind the elbow and at the neck region.

NULL

NULL

This study aimed to assess serum irisin level in myocardial infarction (MI) with or without heart failure (HF) and the possible relation between irisin and cardiac markers, TNF-α and lipid profile. 86 subjects were included (33 patients had MI, 33 patients had MI with HF and 20 controls). Body Mass Index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), heart rate, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured. Blood samples were withdrawn on admission for measuring irisin, cardiac markers, TNF-α, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration (HDL-C). Patients with MI and HF had reduced serum irisin, LVEF and HDL-C and higher levels of BMI, WHR, SBP, DBP, troponin-I, CK-MB, TNF-α, TC, TGs and LDL-C compared to control. Negative correlations were observed between irisin and BMI, WHR, SBP, DBP, troponin-I, CK-MB, TNF-α, TC, TGs and LDL- C. However, positive association was noticed between irisin and LVEF and HDL-C. Irisin might be a useful biomarker in diagnosis of MI with or without HF. It could have anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of irisin as a promising prophylactic or therapeutic agent in cardiovascular diseases.

This study aimed to assess serum irisin level in myocardial infarction (MI) with or without heart failure (HF) and the possible relation between irisin and cardiac markers, TNF-α and lipid profile. 86 subjects were included (33 patients had MI, 33 patients had MI with HF and 20 controls). Body Mass Index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), heart rate, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured. Blood samples were withdrawn on admission for measuring irisin, cardiac markers, TNF-α, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration (HDL-C). Patients with MI and HF had reduced serum irisin, LVEF and HDL-C and higher levels of BMI, WHR, SBP, DBP, troponin-I, CK-MB, TNF-α, TC, TGs and LDL-C compared to control. Negative correlations were observed between irisin and BMI, WHR, SBP, DBP, troponin-I, CK-MB, TNF-α, TC, TGs and LDL- C. However, positive association was noticed between irisin and LVEF and HDL-C. Irisin might be a useful biomarker in diagnosis of MI with or without HF. It could have anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of irisin as a promising prophylactic or therapeutic agent in cardiovascular diseases.