Fecal microbiota composition, serum metabolomics, and markers of inflammation in dogs fed a raw meat-based diet compared to those on a kibble diet.

Introduction: Despite the potential health risks associated with feeding raw and non-traditional diets, the use of these diets in dogs is increasing, yet the health outcomes associated with these diets is not well understood. This study investigates the effect of feeding dogs a kibble or raw meat-based diets on fecal microbiota composition, serum metabolomics and inflammatory markers.

Methods: Clinically healthy dogs with a history of consuming either kibble (KD,  = 27) or raw meat-based diets (RMBD,  = 28) for more than 1 year were enrolled.

Low-Protein Diets Differentially Regulate Energy Balance during Thermoneutral and Heat Stress in Cobb Broiler Chicken ().

The objective was to assess whether low-protein (LP) diets regulate food intake (FI) and thermogenesis differently during thermoneutral (TN) and heat stress (HS) conditions. Two-hundred-day-old male broiler chicks were weight-matched and assigned to 36 pens with 5-6 chicks/pen. After 2 weeks of acclimation, birds were subjected into four groups (9 pens/group) including (1) a normal-protein diet under TN (ambient temperature), (2) an LP diet under TN, (3) a normal-protein diet under HS (35 °C for 7 h/day), and (4) an LP diet under HS, for 4 weeks.

Recombinant Phytase Modulates Blood Amino Acids and Proteomics Profiles in Pigs Fed with Low-Protein, -Calcium, and -Phosphorous Diets.

A beneficial effect of corn-expressed phytase (CEP) on the growth performance of pigs fed with very low-protein (VLP) diets was previously shown. Little is known whether this improvement is related to alterations in the expression profiles of blood proteins and amino acids (AAs). The objective of this study was to investigate whether supplementation of VLP, low-calcium (Ca), and low-P diets with a CEP would alter the blood AAs and protein expression profiles in pigs.

Effects of adding ruminal propionate on dry matter intake and glucose metabolism in steers fed a finishing ration.

The objective of this experiment was to determine if supplying additional propionate to the rumen alters dry matter intake (DMI), feeding behavior, glucose metabolism, and rumen fluid metabolites in steers fed a finishing diet. Ruminally cannulated steers (n = 6) were fed a finishing diet ad libitum. Steers were randomly assigned to one of three treatments in a 3 × 6 Latin rectangle design with three 15 d periods.

Effects of Soybean and Linseed Oils Calcium Salts and Starter Protein Content on Growth Performance, Immune Response, and Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency in Holstein Dairy Calves.

This study aimed to investigate the interaction of fatty acid (FA) source [calcium salt of soybean oil (n-6 FA) vs. calcium salt of linseed oil (n-3 FA) both 3% DM basis] with protein content (18% vs. 22% CP, based on DM) on growth performance, blood metabolites, immune function, skeletal growth indices, urinary purine derivatives (PD), and microbial protein synthesis (MPS) in young dairy calves.

Dietary Isoleucine and Valine: Effects on Lipid Metabolism and Ureagenesis in Pigs Fed with Protein Restricted Diets.

A mixture of valine (Val) and isoleucine (Ile) not only decreases the negative impact of very low protein (VLP) diets on the growth of pigs, but also influences the nitrogen (N) balance and lipid metabolism; however, the underlying pathways are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary Val and Ile on lipogenesis, lipolysis, and ureagenesis under protein restriction. After one week of acclimation, forty three-week-old pigs were randomly assigned to following dietary treatments ( = 8/group) for 5 weeks: positive control (PC): normal protein diet; negative control (NC): VLP diet; HV: NC supplemented with Val; HI: NC supplemented with Ile; and HVI: NC supplemented with both Val and Ile.

Effect of Isoleucine and Added Valine on Performance, Nutrients Digestibility and Gut Microbiota Composition of Pigs Fed with Very Low Protein Diets.

Little is known whether a combination Ile and added Val improves the growth of pigs offered very low protein (VLP) diets through changes in nutrients digestibility and gut microbiota. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a mixture of Val above and Ile at NRC levels on growth, nutrient digestibility and gut microbiota in pigs fed with VLP diets. Forty, weaned piglets were assigned to: positive control: normal-protein-diet; negative control (NC): VLP diet supplemented with first four limiting amino acids; VA: NC with Val above NRC; IL: NC with Ile at NRC level; VAIL: NC with Val above and Ile at NRC levels.

RNA-seq reveals insights into molecular mechanisms of metabolic restoration via tryptophan supplementation in low birth weight piglet model.

Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with metabolic disorders in early life. While dietary l-tryptophan (Trp) can ameliorate postprandial plasma triglycerides (TG) disposal in LBW piglets, the genetic and biological basis underlying Trp-caused alterations in lipid metabolism is poorly understood. In this study, we collected 24 liver samples from 1-mo-old LBW and normal birth weight (NBW) piglets supplemented with different concentrations of dietary Trp (NBW with 0% Trp, N0; LBW with 0% Trp, L0; LBW with 0.

A Mixture of Valine and Isoleucine Restores the Growth of Protein-Restricted Pigs Likely through Improved Gut Development, Hepatic IGF-1 Pathway, and Plasma Metabolomic Profile.

Valine (Val) alone or in combination with isoleucine (Ile) improves the growth under severe protein restriction; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we assessed whether Val/Ile-induced growth in protein-restricted pigs is associated with changes in gut development, hepatic insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) production, and blood metabolomics. Forty piglets were assigned to five dietary groups: positive control (PC) with standard protein content; low protein (LP) with very low protein content; and LP supplemented with Val (LPV), Ile (LPI), and Val and Ile (LPVI).

Dietary branched-chain amino acids modulate the dynamics of calcium absorption and reabsorption in protein-restricted pigs.

Background: Very low-protein (VLP) diets negatively impact calcium (Ca) metabolism and absorption. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplemental branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and limiting amino acids (LAA) on Ca digestibility, absorption and reabsorption in pigs fed with VLP diets. Forty-eight piglets were assigned to six treatments: positive control (PC), negative control (NC), and NC containing LAA 25%, LAA 50%, LAA + BCAA 25% (LB25) and LAA + BCAA 50% (LB50) more than recommendations.

Effects of increasing calcium propionate in a finishing diet on dry matter intake and glucose metabolism in steers.

The objective of this study was to determine whether increasing propionate alters dry matter intake (DMI), glucose clearance rate, blood metabolites, insulin concentrations, and hepatic gene expression in steers fed a finishing diet. Holstein steers (n = 15; BW = 243 ± 3.6 kg) were individually fed a finishing diet ad libitum.

Branched-chain amino acids partially recover the reduced growth of pigs fed with protein-restricted diets through both central and peripheral factors.

The objective of this study was to assess the growth efficiency of pigs fed with protein-restricted diets supplemented with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and limiting amino acids (LAA) above the recommended levels. Following 2 weeks of adaptation, 48 young barrows were weight matched and randomly assigned to 6 treatments (8 pigs/treatment) for 4 weeks: positive control (PC) with standard protein, negative control (NC) with very low protein containing LAA (i.e.

Water and forage intake, diet digestibility, and blood parameters of beef cows and heifers consuming water with varying concentrations of total dissolved salts.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of water quality on water intake (WI), forage intake, diet digestibility, and blood constituents in beef cows and growing beef heifers. This was a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square with five drinking water treatments within each square: 1) fresh water (Control); 2) brackish water (100 BRW treatment) with approximately 6,000 mg/kg total dissolved solids (TDS); 3) same TDS level as 100 BRW achieved by addition of NaCl to fresh water (100 SLW); 4) 50% brackish water and 50% fresh water to achieve approximately 3,000 mg/kg TDS (50 BRW); and 5) same TDS level as 50 BRW achieved by addition of NaCl to fresh water (50 SLW). Each of the five 21-d periods consisted of 14 d of adaptation and 5 d of data collection.

Dietary Tryptophan Supplementation Alters Fat and Glucose Metabolism in a Low-Birthweight Piglet Model.

Low birthweight (LBW) is associated with metabolic complications, such as glucose and lipid metabolism disturbances in early life. The objective of this study was to assess: (1) the effect of dietary tryptophan (Trp) on glucose and fat metabolism in an LBW piglet model, and (2) the role peripheral 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5HT3) receptors in regulating the feeding behavior in LBW piglets fed with Trp-supplemented diets. Seven-day-old piglets were assigned to 4 treatments: normal birthweight-0%Trp (NBW-T0), LBW-0%Trp (LBW-T0), LBW-0.

Low Protein Diets and Energy Balance: Mechanisms of Action on Energy Intake and Expenditure.

Low protein diets are associated with increased lifespan and improved cardiometabolic health primarily in rodents, and likely improve human health. There is strong evidence that moderate to severe reduction in dietary protein content markedly influences caloric intake and energy expenditure, which is often followed by a decrease in body weight and adiposity in animal models. While the neuroendocrine signals that trigger hyperphagic responses to protein restriction are better understood, there is accumulating evidence that increased sympathetic flux to brown adipose tissue, fibroblast growth factor-21 and serotonergic signaling are important for the thermogenic effects of low protein diets.

Clinical health markers in dogs fed raw meat-based or commercial extruded kibble diets.

The interest and demand for healthy and less processed foods for human consumption have been mirrored in the pet industry, with an explosion of alternative diets available. Several nontraditional feeding methodologies including raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) are believed by many dog owners to be superior to traditional extruded commercial dog foods. Despite the strong opinions, limited data are available comparing objective health measures among healthy dogs fed using different methods of diet preparation.

Effect of a Phytogenic Water Additive on Growth Performance, Blood Metabolites and Gene Expression of Amino Acid Transporters in Nursery Pigs Fed with Low-Protein/High-Carbohydrate Diets.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a phytogenic water additive (PWA) on growth performance and underlying factors involved in pigs fed with low-protein (LP)/high-carbohydrate diets. Forty-eight weaned barrows were allotted to six treatments for 4 weeks: CON-NS, control (CON) diet-no PWA; CON-LS, CON diet-low dose PWA (4 mL/L); CON-HS, CON diet-high dose PWA (8 mL/L); LP-NS, LP diet-no PWA; LP-LS, LP diet-low dose PWA; LP-HS, LP diet-high dose PWA. Relative to CON-NS, pigs fed with CON-HS had increased average daily gain, body weight and serum calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) and had decreased mRNA abundance of solute carrier family 7 member 11 and solute carrier family 6 member 19 in jejunum.

A Novel Corn-Expressed Phytase Improves Daily Weight Gain, Protein Efficiency Ratio and Nutrients Digestibility and Alters Fecal Microbiota in Pigs Fed with Very Low Protein Diets.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a novel corn-expressed phytase (CEP) on growth, nutrients digestibility, bone characteristics and fecal microbiota of pigs fed with very low-protein, -calcium (Ca) and -phosphorous (P) diets. Forty-eight barrows were subjected to 6 groups for 4 weeks: positive control-adequate protein (PC), negative control-reduced protein (NC), NC + low-dose CEP, i.e.

Effect of very low-protein diets supplemented with branched-chain amino acids on energy balance, plasma metabolomics and fecal microbiome of pigs.

Feeding pigs with very-low protein (VLP) diets while supplemented with limiting amino acids (AA) results in decreased growth. The objective of this study was to determine if supplementing VLP diets with branched-chain AA (BCAA) would reverse the negative effects of these diets on growth and whether this is associated with alterations in energy balance, blood metabolomics and fecal microbiota composition. Twenty-four nursery pigs were weight-matched, individually housed and allotted into following treatments (n = 8/group): control (CON), low protein (LP) and LP supplemented with BCAA (LP + BCAA) for 4 weeks.

Effects of a Grain Source (Corn Versus Barley) and Starter Protein Content on Performance, Ruminal Fermentation, and Blood Metabolites in Holstein Dairy Calves.

The effects of a grain source (corn grain (CG) vs. barley grain (BG)) and starter protein content (19% vs. 22% CP, dry matter basis) on growth performance, digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and blood metabolites were evaluated in Holstein dairy calves.

Low Protein-High Carbohydrate Diets Alter Energy Balance, Gut Microbiota Composition and Blood Metabolomics Profile in Young Pigs.

Reducing dietary crude protein (CP) beyond a certain threshold leads to poor growth performance in pigs; however, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Following an adaption period, thirty-seven weaned pigs were weight matched (8.41 ± 0.

Whey Protein and Its Components Lactalbumin and Lactoferrin Affect Energy Balance and Protect against Stroke Onset and Renal Damage in Salt-Loaded, High-Fat Fed Male Spontaneously Hypertensive Stroke-Prone Rats.

Background: Whey protein (WH)-enriched diets are reported to aid in weight loss and to improve cardiovascular health. However, the bioactive components in whey responsible for causing such effects remain unidentified.

Objective: We determined the effects of whey and its components [α-lactalbumin (LA) and lactoferrin (LF)] on energy balance, glucose tolerance, gut hormones, renal damage, and stroke onset in rats.

Low-Protein Diets with Fixed Carbohydrate Content Promote Hyperphagia and Sympathetically Mediated Increase in Energy Expenditure.

Scope: Dietary protein restriction elicits hyperphagia and increases energy expenditure; however, less is known of whether these responses are a consequence of increasing carbohydrate content. The effects of protein-diluted diets with fixed carbohydrate content on energy balance, hormones, and key markers of protein sensing and thermogenesis in tissues are determined.

Methods And Results: Obesity-prone rats (n = 13-16 per group) are randomized to diets containing fixed carbohydrate (52% calories) and varying protein concentrations: 15% (control), 10% (mild protein restriction), 5% (moderate protein restriction) or 1% (severe protein restriction) protein calories, or protein-matched to 5% protein, for 21 days.

Methionine Restriction Partly Recapitulates the Sympathetically Mediated Enhanced Energy Expenditure Induced by Total Amino Acid Restriction in Rats.

Total amino acid (AA) restriction promotes hyperphagia and energy expenditure. We determined whether (i) methionine restriction mimics the effects of total AA restriction, (ii) methionine supplementation attenuates these responses, and iii) sympathetic signaling mediates such effects. Rats were injected with either vehicle (V) or 6-hydroxydopamine (S) to induce chemical sympathectomy, and then randomized to four diets: 16% AA (16AA), 5% AA (5AA), 16% AA-methionine (16AA-Met), and 5% AA+methionine (5AA+Met).

Host genetics and diet composition interact to modulate gut microbiota and predisposition to metabolic syndrome in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats.

Metabolic syndrome encompasses obesity, glucose intolerance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia; however, the interactions between diet and host physiology that predispose to metabolic syndrome are incompletely understood. Here, we explored the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) on energy balance, gut microbiota, and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone (SHRSP) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. We found that the SHRSP rats were hypertensive, hyperphagic, less sensitive to hypophagic effects of exendin-4, and expended more energy with diminished sensitivity to sympathetic blockade compared to WKY rats.