Feeding of selenium alone or in combination with glucoraphanin differentially affects intestinal and hepatic antioxidant and phase II enzymes in growing rats.

The anti-carcinogenic effects of sulforaphane (SFN) are based on the up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes (AE) and phase II enzymes (PIIE) through the transcription factor Nrf2. Current knowledge on the roles of the SFN precursor glucoraphanin (GRA) on these processes is limited. Anti-carcinogenic effects of Se depending on glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity have also been reported.

Mutation in porcine Zip4-like zinc transporter is associated with pancreatic zinc concentration and apparent zinc absorption.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the sequence variability of the porcine Zip4-like Zn transporter gene and the association of identified sequence variants with average daily gain, apparent Zn absorption, plasma Zn concentration and Zn concentration in the liver and pancreas. For the purpose of the study, two different sample sets were used. Set one, which was used for sequencing and association analysis, included mRNA from intestinal tissue from thirty-five piglets of a feeding trial.

Associating ECG features with firefighter's activities.

In this paper we associate features obtained from ECG signals with the expected levels of stress of real firefighters in action when facing specific events such as fires or car accidents. Five firefighters were monitored using wearable technology collecting ECG signals. Heart rate and heart rate variability features were analyzed in consecutive 5-min intervals during several types of events.

Customizing the training dataset to an individual for improved heartbeat recognition performance in long-term ECG signals.

This work presents an investigation of the potential benefits of customizing the analysis of long-term ECG signals, collected from individuals using wearable sensors, by incorporating small amount of data from these individuals in the training set of our classifiers. The global training dataset selected was from the MIT-BIH Arrhythmias Database. This proposal is validated on long-term ECG recordings collected via wearable technology in unsupervised environments, as well on the MIT-BIH Normal Sinus Rhythm Database.

Glucoraphanin does not reduce plasma homocysteine in rats with sufficient Se supply via the induction of liver ARE-regulated glutathione biosynthesis enzymes.

Data from human and animal trials have revealed contradictory results regarding the influence of selenium (Se) status on homocysteine (HCys) metabolism. It was hypothesised that sufficient Se reduces the flux of HCys through the transsulphuration pathway by decreasing the expression of glutathione (GSH) synthesising enzymes. Glucoraphanin (GRA) is a potent inducer of genes regulated via an antioxidant response element (ARE), including those of GSH biosynthesis.

Impact of dietary manganese concentration on status criteria to determine manganese requirement in piglets.

The Mn requirement for pigs is not well established. This study aimed to find criteria for assessing growing piglet supply status for Mn and to determine whether the current Mn recommendations meet the requirements for piglets. Thirty-six weaned male castrated 27-day-old piglets (7.

APOE ε4 is associated with higher vitamin D levels in targeted replacement mice and humans.

The allele ε4 of apolipoprotein E (APOE), which is a key regulator of lipid metabolism, represents a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer's disease. Despite its adverse effects, the allele is common and shows a nonrandom global distribution that is thought to be the result of evolutionary adaptation. One hypothesis proposes that the APOE ε4 allele protects against vitamin D deficiency.

Antidiabetic effects of bitter gourd extracts in insulin-resistant db/db mice.

Bitter gourd (BG, Momordica charantia) exerts proven blood glucose- and body weight-lowering effects. To develop an effective and safe application, it is necessary to identify the bioactive compounds and biochemical mechanisms responsible for these effects in type 2 diabetes. A total of forty-five 4-week-old male db/db mice were assigned to five groups of nine each.

Study of molecular targets influencing homocysteine and cholesterol metabolism in growing rats by manipulation of dietary selenium and methionine concentrations.

Inconsistent results exist from human and animal studies for Se and methionine (Met) regarding their influence on homocysteine (HCys) and cholesterol (Chol) metabolism. To elucidate these contradictions, sixty-four weanling albino rats were divided into eight groups of 8, and were fed diets containing four different Se levels (15, 50, 150 and 450 microg/kg) either in combination with the recommended Met level of 3 g/kg (C15, C50, C150 and C450) or with an increased Met concentration of 15 g/kg (M15, M50, M150 and M450) for 8 weeks. Plasma HCys was twofold higher in the Se-supplemented C groups than in group C15.

Selenium and diabetes: an enigma?

In recent years diabetes has become one of the most common metabolic diseases in developed countries and it is closely related to supernutrition and obesity. Since untreated diabetes produces oxidative stress responsible for secondary complications of the disease, antioxidant supplements were considered as being favourable for the therapy of diabetes. However, the situation has changed recently, since large cross-sectional and interventional trials revealed a positive correlation between a high Se status and diabetes incidence in humans.

Impact of selenite and selenate on differentially expressed genes in rat liver examined by microarray analysis.

Sodium selenite and sodium selenate are approved inorganic Se (selenium) compounds in human and animal nutrition serving as precursors for selenoprotein synthesis. In recent years, numerous additional biological effects over and above their functions in selenoproteins have been reported. For greater insight into these effects, our present study examined the influence of selenite and selenate on the differential expression of genes encoding non-selenoproteins in the rat liver using microarray technology.

Investigation into selenium requirement of growing turkeys offered a diet supplemented with two levels of vitamin E.

To evaluate dietary selenium (Se) requirement in turkeys offered a diet supplemented with two levels of vitamin E (VE), 96 newly hatched male BIG 6 chicks (58.4 +/- 4.12 g) were divided into eight groups of 12 animals each and fed maize soya diets containing 0.

Influence of early nutritional components on the development of murine autoimmune diabetes.

Background/aims: Infant diet is suggested to modify autoimmune diabetes risk. The aim of this study was to determine whether infant food components affect diabetes development in the nonobese autoimmune diabetes (NOD) mouse.

Methods: A basal low-diabetogenic diet was identified by feeding litter-matched female NOD mice standardized diets with and without casein and wheat proteins after weaning.

Exercise affects tissue lymphocyte apoptosis via redox-sensitive and Fas-dependent signaling pathways.

Intensive and exhaustive exercise induces an activation of blood T-lymphocytes, which seems to be terminated by apoptotic processes in the postexercise period. Here, we report that exercise-induced T-lymphocyte apoptosis is a systemic phenomenon occurring in various lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues. The apoptosis rate could be related to exercise intensity and type.

Effect of selenium deficiency on the antioxidative status and muscle damage in growing turkeys.

An experiment investigated the effect of different selenium supplementations on the antioxidant defence system and on the occurrence of muscle dystrophy in growing turkeys. Newly hatched male turkeys (B.U.

Redox regulation of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B by manipulation of dietary selenium affects the triglyceride concentration in rat liver.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a key enzyme in the counter-regulation of insulin signaling and in the stimulation of fatty acid synthesis. Selenium (Se), via the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), is involved in the removal of H(2)O(2) and organic peroxides, which are critical compounds in the modulation of PTP1B activity via glutathionylation. Our study with growing rats investigated how the manipulation of dietary Se concentration influences the regulation of PTP1B and lipogenic effects mediated by PTP1B.

Selenium requirement of growing male turkeys.

1. The aim of the experiment was to estimate the selenium requirement of growing male turkeys using the selenium concentrations in different organs and blood plasma and by fitting a continuous broken line to the activity of glutathione peroxidase in liver and plasma. 2.

Estimation of the selenium requirement of growing guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus).

The aim of the study was to determine the selenium (Se) requirement of guinea pigs as a species unable to synthesize ascorbic acid. Forty-nine male guinea pigs (average weight 208 +/- 3.5 g) were divided into an initial status group and six experimental groups.

Regulation of the insulin antagonistic protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B by dietary Se studied in growing rats.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a key enzyme in the counterregulation of insulin signaling, and its physiological modulation depends on H2O2 and glutathione (GSH). Se via GSH peroxidases (GPxs) and its specific metabolism is involved in the removal of H2O2 and in the regulation of GSH metabolism. Recent results from animal trials and epidemiological studies with humans have shown that a high GPx1 activity or a permanent surplus of Se may promote the development of obesity and diabetes.

Deposition of copper, iron, manganese and zinc in the empty body of growing lambs of the breed German Merino Landsheep.

A growth experiment with 108 lambs (breed: German Merino Landsheep) was carried out to examine the effect of gender, body weight (BW) and feeding intensity on the deposition of Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn in the empty body (whole animal minus contents of the gastrointestinal tract and bladder). The lambs (50% female and 50% male animals) were fed at three feeding levels ('low', 'medium' and 'high' by varying daily amounts of concentrate and hay) and slaughtered at different final BWs (30, 45 or 55 kg). Six male and six female animals were killed at a BW of 18 kg representing the animals' BW at the beginning of the comparative slaughter experiment.

Concentration of copper, iron, manganese and zinc in muscle, fat and bone tissue of lambs of the breed German Merino Landsheep in the course of the growing period and different feeding intensities.

A growth experiment with 108 lambs (breed German Merino Landsheep) was carried out in order to examine how gender, body weight and feeding intensity affect trace element concentrations in tissues and carcass. The lambs (50% male and 50% female) were fattened at three levels of feeding intensity ('low', 'medium' and 'high' by varying daily amounts of concentrate and hay) and slaughtered at different final body weights (30, 45 or 55 kg). Six male and six female animals were sacrificed at 18 kg live weight at the beginning of the comparative slaughter experiment.

Concentration of Ca, P, Mg, Na and K in muscle, fat and bone tissue of lambs of the breed German Merino Landsheep in the course of the growing period.

A growth experiment with 108 lambs (breed German Merino Landsheep) was carried out in order to examine how gender, body weight and feeding intensity affect major element concentrations in tissues and carcass. The lambs (50% male and 50% female) were fattened at three levels of feeding intensity ('high', 'medium' and 'low' by varying daily amounts of concentrate and hay) and slaughtered at different final body weights (30, 45 or 55 kg). Six male and six female animals were killed at a final body weight of 18 kg representing the live weight at the beginning of the comparative slaughter experiment.

Compendium of the antidiabetic effects of supranutritional selenate doses. In vivo and in vitro investigations with type II diabetic db/db mice.

In recent years, a number of investigations on the antidiabetic effects of supranutritional selenate doses have been carried out. Selenate (selenium oxidation state +VI) was shown to possess regulatory effects on glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and fatty acid metabolism, metabolic pathways which are disturbed in diabetic disorders. An enhanced phosphorylation of single components of the insulin signalling pathway could be shown to be one molecular mechanism responsible for the insulinomimetic properties of selenate.

Effects of a supranutritional dose of selenate compared with selenite on insulin sensitivity in type II diabetic dbdb mice.

The present study was performed to examine the mechanism by which selenate ameliorates the insulin sensitivity in type II diabetic dbdb mice. Therefore, 21-adult female dbdb mice were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (0Se, SeIV and SeVI) with seven animals per group. Mice of group 0Se were fed with a selenium-deficient diet (<0.

Utilization of energy for growth in lambs of the breed German Merino Landsheep.

Based on energy deposition and energy intake the utilization of energy for fat and protein deposition and the mean energy utilization for growth as well as the energy requirement for maintenance were estimated in this study. Fifty-four male and 54 female lambs were fed at three feeding levels and slaughtered at various body weights (BW): 18, 30, 45, and 55 kg. Based on the method of the comparative slaughter technique the total body of each animal was analysed.