Glypican-4 belongs to a group of poorly understood adipokines, with potential importance in people with metabolic syndrome, especially in groups of patients with glucose metabolism disorder. This study aimed to assess the effect of physical activity on serum glypican-4 and irisin levels and total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma and saliva in women with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Seventy-two Caucasian women aged 25-60 were included in the study (36 women with MetS and 36 women without MetS (control group, CONTR)). The glypican-4 and irisin concentrations, total antioxidant status, glycemia, lipid profile, anthropometric parameters, and blood pressure were analyzed before and after 28 days of controlled physical activity. Serum glypican-4 and plasma TAS levels were higher (p = 0.006 and p = 0.043, respectively) on the 28th day than on the first day of the study only in the CONTR group. In the MetS group, 28 days of physical activity caused a reduction in body fat mass (p = 0.049) without changes in glypican-4, irisin, or TAS levels. In both groups, glypican-4 levels correlated positively with irisin levels and negatively with Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), while irisin levels correlated positively with High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and negatively with waist circumference (WC) and WHR values on the 28th day of the study. To summarize, a 28-day moderate training, accompanied by a reduction in body fat mass, stabilized glypican-4 levels and TAS in female patients with MetS.

M. japonicus is an important specie for factory farming, and factory farming requires an environment with sand at the bottom of the pond. However, the physiological responses as well as survival in the process of factory farming without laying sand are currently unknown. In the present study, we explored the effect of sand substrate removal on the intestinal histomorphology, antioxidant enzyme activity, and metabolic profile of M. japonicus. Our results indicate a gradual increase in the mortality rate of kuruma shrimp in ponds lacking sand substrate. The intestinal mucosa exhibited necrosis and the presence of vacuoles, with their number gradually increasing over time. The intestinal villi showed significant erosion, accompanied by a decrease in intestinal superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and catalase (CAT) activity, and consistent with an upregulation in the expression of apoptosis-related genes such as caspase-3, indicating an adaptive response to the adverse environmental conditions. Additionally, the metabolomic analysis revealed that most significantly differential metabolites were linked to amino acid and lipid metabolism. These findings enhance our understanding of the sand substrate removal on the intestinal health of kuruma shrimp, which provides a basis for the factory farming.

BACKGROUND: Circulating microRNAs have been implicated in a diverse array of biological and pathological phenomena. Their potential utility as noninvasive biomarkers for screening and diagnosing various diseases has been proposed.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the potential role of the miRNAs miR-122 and miR-486 as molecular biomarkers in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Thus, miR-122 and miR-486 were detected in the serum of HCV patients and healthy controls. Moreover, the potential correlations of miR-122 and miR-486 with viral complications, such as physical activity, pain, muscle fatigue, and HCV infection, were identified.
METHODS: A total of 150 subjects aged 30 to 66 years were included in this study. The patients were classified as patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (CHC) (n = 110) or healthy controls (n = 40). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were performed to determine miR-122 and miR-486 expression. Physical activity (PA), pain score, HCV genotyping, viral overload, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and antioxidant status were also estimated by using prevalidated questionnaires, PCR, and spectrophotometric analyses.
RESULTS: Compared with those in normal controls, significant increases in the serum levels of miR-122 and miR-486 were reported in patients with CHC. In physically active CHC patients, there was a significant correlation between the expression of miRNAs and increased alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), fibrosis scores, and inflammation activity, but no association was reported for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA or viral load. Additionally, significant decreases in LDH, CK, GSSG, and pain scores and increases in TAC, GSH, and the GSH/GSSG ratio were reported. Moreover, the expression of miR-122 and miR-486 was positively correlated with changes in body mass index (BMI) and liver fibrosis stage, as well as negatively correlated with sex, PA, TAC, GSH, GSSG, and the GSH/GSSG ratio.
CONCLUSIONS: MiR-122 and miR-486 expression levels were strongly correlated with physical activity, pain perception, and muscle fatigue biomarkers in HCV-infected patients. These miRNA levels were associated with elevated AST, ALT, fibrosis scores, LDH, CK, and antioxidant status, thus suggesting their potential as biomarkers for disease severity and oxidative stress. However, no correlation was observed with viral load or HCV-RNA expression, thus implying that these miRNAs may impact disease progression and symptoms through host factors, rather than directly affecting viral replication. In summary, the results demonstrated that molecular studies of miR-22 and miR-468 and their associations with PA, pain, adiposity, sex differences, and muscle fatigue, as well as routine biomarkers, could be useful as prognostic nanoninvasive biomarkers, thus providing novel therapeutic targets for CHC infection.

Foods enriched with insects can potentially prevent several health disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, by reducing inflammation and improving antioxidant status. In this study, Tenebrio molitor and Gryllus assimilis were selected to determine the effect on the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE/LDLR-/- mice. Animals were fed AIN-93G-based diets (control) with 10% Tenebrio molitor (TM) and 10% Gryllus assimilis (GA) for 8 weeks. The nutritional value as well as antioxidant activity of selected insects were determined. The lipid profile, liver enzyme activity, and the fatty acid composition of liver and adipose tissue of model mice were evaluated. Quantitative analysis of atherosclerotic lesions in the entire aorta was performed using the en face method, and for aortic roots, the cross-section method was used. The antioxidant status of the GA cricket was significantly higher compared to the TM larvae. The results showed that the area of atherosclerosis (en face method) was not significantly different between groups. Dietary GA reduced plaque formation in the aortic root; additionally, significant differences were observed in sections at 200 and 300 µm compared to other groups. Furthermore, liver enzyme ALT activity was lower in insect-fed groups compared to the control group. The finding suggests that a diet containing edible insect GA potentially prevents atherosclerotic plaque development in the aortic root, due to its high antioxidant activity.

UNASSIGNED: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and synovial joint destruction.
UNASSIGNED: The current study investigated the possible beneficial effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles doped curcumin (ZnONPs-DC) on the recovery of RA and antioxidant status of experimental rabbits.
UNASSIGNED: RA was induced in experimental rabbits by injecting complete Freund\'s adjuvant and collagen type-II emulsion (100 μL/kg body weight) in the base of their tail. Arthritic rabbits were orally treated with ZnONPs, curcumin, and ZnONPs-DC(250 μL/kg bodyweight). Serumsamples fromthe control and study groupswere collected before and afterRAinduction and after treatment. The sera were subjected to analysis of biological markers of RA and antioxidant status.
UNASSIGNED: The complete Freund\'s adjuvant and collagen type II treatment resulted in positive rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein elevated oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant potential. Each treatment showed the absence of rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein decreased oxidative stress and improved antioxidant potential compared to the control. However, ZnONPs-DC treatment showed a comparatively higher decline in serum malondialdehyde MDA content and an elevation in the antioxidant activity of RA animals.
UNASSIGNED: In conclusion, using zinc oxide nanoparticles-doped curcumin may be an effective anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory drug in controlling RA.

Delivering natural antioxidants via in ovo feeding holds promise for enhancing the antioxidant status and performance of chickens. Therefore, The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of in ovo feeding during early embryonic development using grape pomace extract as a natural antioxidant on hatchability, productive performance, immune response, and antioxidant status in broilers. A total of 900 fertile broiler eggs from the Arbor Acres strain were utilized. Each egg was individually weighed, with egg weights ranging from 61.88 ± 3 g. On the 17.5th d of incubation (DOI), the fertile eggs were divided into 6 groups. The first treatment group was untreated and designated as the control (C). The second group was the sham group (Sh), receiving a simulated injection. The third group, designated as the vehicle group (V), was injected with 100 µl of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The fourth group received an injection of 100 µL of grape pomace dissolved in DMSO at a concentration of 2 mg (T2). Similarly, the fifth and sixth groups were injected with 100 µL of grape pomace dissolved in DMSO at concentrations of 4 mg and 6 mg, (T4), (T6) respectively. Subsequently, all groups were raised under uniform conditions in terms of management, environment, and nutrition till 5 wk of age. The grape pomace extract (GPE), obtained is rich in total phenolic content (16.07 mg/g), total flavonoid content (7.42 mg/g), and total anthocyanin (8.37 mg/g). Grape pomace extract has exhibited significant antioxidant properties as evidenced by its effectiveness in DPPH scavenging and reducing power assays. Significant improvements in body weight at hatch were observed with in ovo feeding of grape pomace extract, particularly at the 4 mg level, surpassing the effectiveness of the 2 mg and 6 mg grape pomace levels, and this enhancement in body weight continued until the age of 5 wk. GPE injection also led to a significant reduction in cholesterol levels, with the lowest levels recorded for the T4 group. Plasma total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) levels were significantly elevated in groups treated with T4, T6, and T2 compared to the control group. Conversely, the control group showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The immune response of hatched chicks from grape pomace extract-injected groups, especially the T4 group, exhibited improvement through increased IgM and IgG. These findings demonstrate that in ovo feeding of GPE, particularly at a dosage of 4 mg, enhances growth performance, immune response, and antioxidant status in hatched chicks. Thus, administering natural antioxidants, such as grape pomace extract, to developing broiler embryos via in ovo feeding could serve as a valuable strategy for enhancing the subsequent post-hatch productive performance, as well as bolstering the antioxidant and immunological status of broiler chicks.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the motility, morphology, and antioxidant status of European red deer sperm stored in a liquid state (variant I) and in the epididymides (variant II). Spermatozoa were harvested post-mortem from the cauda epididymis. Sperm samples in both variants were stored for up to six days (D6) at 5 °C. Spermatozoa were assessed for motility, viability, morphology, activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; glutathione peroxidase, GPx; catalase, CAT), and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA, content). Sperm samples were analyzed on storage days 0, 2, 4, and 6 (D0-D6). Storage time and storage method significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced the examined variables. On D2, a decrease in motility and acrosomal integrity was observed in both storage variants, whereas a decrease in viability and an increase in MDA content were noted in spermatozoa stored in the epididymides. On D4, higher values of SOD and GPx activity and MDA content were noted in variant I than in variant II. Catalase activity was very low. GPx is the key enzyme that participates in the reduction of hydrogen peroxide in sperm cells. Spermatozoa stored in a liquid state were characterized by higher motility and viability, improved morphology and antioxidant status than those stored in the epididymides; therefore, liquid storage is more recommended for short-term preservation of epididymal spermatozoa.

Importance of Study: Semen cryopreservation results in sperm damage due to lipid peroxidation or oxidative stress, leading to a decrease in conception rate. The sperm damage during cryopreservation can be minimized with the use of suitable antioxidant supplements in semen diluent. Some herbs have potent antioxidant potential and can be used in semen diluent to protect the spermatozoa. Objective: Hence, the investigation was planned to evaluate the effect of Asparagus racemosus (A. racemosus) aqueous extract on buck semen quality during cryopreservation. Methodology: In the current study, semen was collected from eight Sirohi bucks, and from each buck, 8 ejaculates were collected. Good-quality semen samples were pooled during each collection. Pooled semen samples were then divided into four equal parts and diluted in TRIS buffer containing different concentrations of A. racemosus aqueous extract (different groups, i.e., G I -5 mg, G II -2.5 mg, G III -1.25 mg, and G IV -0 mg of A. racemosus aqueous extract in 1 mL TRIS buffer). All the diluted semen samples were kept at equilibration temperature (5°C) for 2 hours and then cryopreserved by the manual method. Semen samples were evaluated for various sperm characteristics and antioxidant status before and after cryopreservation. Results: Asparagus racemosus aqueous extract showed significant (p < 0.05) enhancement of sperm viability, sperm motility, acrosomal integrity, and plasma membrane integrity, whereas it reduced sperm abnormality. Furthermore, in the experimental groups, the antioxidant gene expression was found to be increased compared to that of the treatment group. G III (p < 0.05) showed significantly better results in terms of sperm viability, sperm motility, acrosomal integrity, and plasma membrane integrity. Conclusion: Asparagus racemosus aqueous extract has the antioxidant potential to protect buck spermatozoa during semen cryopreservation.

This study sought to determine the effects of rosemary leaf powder (RP) on laying performance, egg quality, serum indices, gut barrier function, and cecal microbiota and metabolites of late-phase laying hens. A total of 84 \"Jing Tint 6\" laying hens at 65-week old were randomly divided into 2 groups and fed either a basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 0.3% RP. Our study revealed that RP improved the Haugh unit and decreased yolk n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio of laying hens, increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), jejunal activities of SOD and catalase (CAT), and jejunal zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression, as well as decreased serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level and jejunal TNF-α mRNA expression. Rosemary leaf powder markedly enhanced (P < 0.05) cecal abundances of Rikenellaceae, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and Turicibacter, tended to promote (P = 0.076) butyrate concentration, and reduced (P < 0.05) cecal abundances of Erysipelatoclostridiaceae, Sutterellaceae, Fusobacteriaceae, Campylobacteraceae, Sutterella, Campylobacter, and Fusobacterium, which were closely linked with Haugh unit, yolk n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio, serum SOD and TNF-α. In addition, RP altered the metabolic functions of cecal microbiota and enhanced the abundances of butyrate-synthesizing enzymes, including lysine 2,3-aminomutase, β-lysine 5,6-aminomutase, and 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase. Together, 0.3% RP has the potential to enhance egg quality by partially modulating serum antioxidant status, jejunal barrier function, and cecal microbiota structure and metabolites, indicating that RP could be considered a promising feed additive to promote the production performance of late-phase laying hens.

BACKGROUND: Gut microbes play a significant role in digestion, developing immunity, and intestinal health. Therefore, direct-fed microbials are used to modify gut microbiota, maintain a healthy digestive system, enhance immunity, and promote the broilers\' performance. In addition, it has a role in improving the utilization of unconventional feed ingredients (olive pulp, OP). This study provides the potential role of Aspergillus awamori in enhancing gut microbial content, nutrient utilization, growth performance, and antioxidative status in heat-stressed broiler chickens fed diets containing olive pulp.
METHODS: Three hundred chicks (Ross 308; one day old) were divided into four treatment groups (75 chick/ group) randomly, as follows; CON: chicks fed a basal diet based on corn and soybean meal, OP10: chicks fed a diet containing 10% OP, OA1: chicks fed a diet containing OP with A. awamori at 100 mg per kg, OA2: chicks fed a diet containing OP with A. awamori at 200 mg per kg.
RESULTS: Adding A. awamori to the broiler diet that contains OP had a positive effect on productive performance via enhancing nutrition digestibility, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and carcass characteristics. A. awamori supplementation had a positive impact on immune responses by increasing serum immunoglobulin G and the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius (P < 0.05) compared to the other groups. Chickens fed A. awamori showed a noticeable improvement in the oxidative status through the increase in the level of serum superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, and the decrease in the level of malondialdehyde. Feeding A. awamori also modified the intestinal microbial content by increasing the population of Lactobacillus (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that adding 200 mg A. awamori reduced the negative effect of heat stress by modifying the microbial content of the intestine, immune response, and enhancing feed utilization, thus improving broiler performance, as well as, improving the nutritional value of the olive pulp. Therefore, adding A. awamori to the OP diet can be effectively used in heat-stressed broiler diets.