Search Results (426)

Background/Objectives: Endothelial dysfunction represents an early stage of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and contributes to increased cardiovascular risk. Leptin, a hormone involved in metabolic and inflammatory regulation, has been implicated in vascular dysfunction. However, its association with digital thermal monitoring (DTM)-derived peripheral vascular reactivity in T2DM remains unclear. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 88 patients with T2DM to investigate the association between serum leptin levels and peripheral vascular reactivity, assessed using the digital thermal monitoring-derived vascular reactivity index (VRI). Based on the VRI values, patients were categorized as having good (VRI ≥ 2.0), intermediate (VRI of 1.0–1.9), or poor (VRI < 1.0) vascular reactivity. Serum leptin levels were quantified using an enzyme immunoassay. Results: Patients with poor vascular reactivity were older and had higher total cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and leptin levels. In the primary parsimonious multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and eGFR, higher serum leptin levels were associated with vascular reactivity dysfunction. Linear regression analysis also showed that log-transformed leptin levels were negatively associated with VRI. Exploratory analyses, including poor vascular reactivity models and penalized regression models, showed generally consistent findings but were interpreted cautiously because of the limited number of outcome events. Conclusions: Higher serum leptin levels were associated with impaired DTM-derived peripheral vascular reactivity in clinically stable patients with T2DM after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and eGFR. These findings should be interpreted cautiously and require validation in larger prospective studies. Full article

This is a secondary analysis of a non-randomized controlled six-month trial concerning the effects of the 5:2 diet on cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, blood lipids, adipokines and inflammatory markers) in overweight or obese individuals with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D). Ninety-seven individuals were recruited, 35 with T2D and 62 without (controls). Ninety-three completed six months of the 5:2 diet, consisting of 2 days of fasting (500 kilocalories (kcal) for women and 600 kcal for men) and five days of their regular diet. A total of 82 participants (31 with T2D and 51 controls) attended the 12-month follow-up. After the six-month intervention, both groups lost body weight (−6.3% in the T2D group and −5.0% among controls). There were significant improvements in waist circumference, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLchol), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLchol) and serum levels of adiponectin. In addition, participants with T2D had decreased alanine transferase (ALT) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), which were significantly different from the control group. The control group had significant decreases in triglycerides and leptin concentrations. At the 12-month follow-up, improvements remained for HDLchol and adiponectin in both groups. In addition, the T2D group had significantly decreased hsCRP and leptin concentrations and the control group showed a significant decrease in ALT. In conclusion, a six-month 5:2 diet resulted in significant improvements in cardiovascular risk factors in overweight or obese participants with and without T2D, with several improvements persisting at 12 months. Individuals with T2D appeared to gain somewhat greater metabolic benefits from the intervention than the control group. Full article

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by metabolic disturbances in which oxidative stress may play an important role. Most existing studies have examined individual biomarkers rather than their interrelationships. The present study evaluated selected oxidative stress, metabolic, and antioxidant markers, as well as their associations, in women with GDM compared with healthy pregnant controls. A total of 160 pregnant women (87 with GDM and 73 controls) were included. Biomarkers were measured, and their associations were assessed using correlation and interaction analyses. Women with GDM demonstrated higher levels of malondialdehyde (p < 0.001), leptin (p = 0.007), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (p < 0.001). The difference in the correlation between catalase activity and uric acid remained statistically significant after false discovery rate correction (q = 0.006), with a negative association in women with GDM and a positive association in controls. Interaction analysis further supported a group-dependent relationship between uric acid and catalase activity (p = 0.007; FDR-adjusted q = 0.007). These findings suggest that GDM may be associated not only with changes in individual biomarkers but also with alterations in selected redox-related relationships, indicating differences in redox regulation in GDM. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity and menopause are major determinants of skeletal deterioration; however, their combined effects on bone remodeling and associated cellular bioenergetics remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to determine whether obesity induces osteoporotic alterations under both estrogen-replete and estrogen-deficient conditions and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of dental tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (D-MSCs). Methods: Female mice were subjected to ovariectomy (OVX) and/or high-fat diet (HFD) feeding for 16 weeks to establish obesity-associated osteoporosis models. D-MSCs were administered intraperitoneally at defined intervals. Body weight and serum leptin levels were measured to assess metabolic status. Femoral tissues were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR for estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ), inflammatory markers (Il-1β, Tnf-α), mitochondrial regulators (Pgc1α, Pgc1β), and the OPG/RANKL ratio. Histological analysis was performed to evaluate bone marrow adiposity. Results: HFD significantly increased body weight and serum leptin levels in both intact and OVX mice. Obesity was associated with reduced expression of ERα and ERβ, decreased Pgc1α levels, and a lower OPG/RANKL ratio, accompanied by increased Il-1β, Tnf-α, and Pgc1β expression. D-MSC administration attenuated body weight gain and reduced leptin levels, particularly in OVX mice. In femoral tissue, D-MSC treatment restored estrogen receptor expression, increased Pgc1α, decreased Pgc1β, and normalized the OPG/RANKL ratio. In addition, inflammatory marker expression and bone marrow adiposity were reduced following MSC administration. Conclusions: Obesity induces bone remodeling dysregulation under both intact and estrogen-deficient conditions, characterized by altered estrogen signaling, inflammatory activation, and mitochondrial imbalance. D-MSC administration was associated with partial restoration of these alterations, suggesting a potential role in modulating metabolic and skeletal homeostasis in obesity-associated bone loss. Full article

Metabolic state strongly shapes social and reproductive behaviors, yet the neural circuits that convert internal energy signals into behavioral responses remain poorly defined. The ventral premammillary nucleus (PMv) of the hypothalamus has been implicated in this process, particularly through leptin receptor-expressing (LepRb) neurons, but its brain-wide circuit organization is still unclear. Here, we used Cre-dependent retrograde (RV) and anterograde (HSV) viral tracing techniques in LepRb-Cre mice to construct a comprehensive, single-cell-resolution input–output map of PMv^LepRb neurons. 3D reconstruction showed that these neurons receive dense convergent inputs, mainly from hypothalamic and forebrain regions involved in energy balance, motivation, and limbic processing. In contrast, their outputs extend not only back to several input regions but also prominently to midbrain and pontine autonomic centers, including the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and parabrachial nucleus (PB). Quantitative analysis revealed that forebrain regions were more likely to participate in reciprocal connectivity, whereas brainstem regions were dominated by outgoing projections. This organization suggests that PMv^LepRb neurons are positioned to integrate metabolic and motivational signals and relay them to downstream systems controlling instinctive behavioral and autonomic responses. These findings provide a structural basis for understanding how energy state can influence decisions related to social competition and reproduction. Full article

Spondyloarthritis represents a group of chronic immune-mediated rheumatic diseases that manifest as peripheral or axial musculoskeletal involvement. In axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), the milestones of structural damage are represented by inflammation, followed by erosions in the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) and new bone formation. The purpose of this narrative review is to address the unmet needs regarding targeted risk stratification of disease progression in axSpA. While studies concerning predictive biomarkers have been conducted, their use in clinical practice has not yet been validated. Analysis of disease progression in patients recently diagnosed with non-radiographic axSpA, with fulfillment of the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society criteria, determined a mean time of structural changes progression of 2.4 years. While factors such as human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 and C-reactive protein are useful in classifying patients into risk categories regarding radiographic progression, novel biomarkers are needed in clinical practice to further facilitate treatment strategy selection. Choosing biomarkers to analyze the potential of both spinal and SIJ radiographic progression is useful in monitoring patients and reducing the burden of disease. Fetuin-A, sclerostin, and autoantibodies against Cluster of Differentiation 74 (anti-CD74) were associated with SIJ changes in various studies. Regarding spinal structural damage, adipokines, particularly leptin and visfatin, have been extensively studied and have shown promising results. Dickkopf-1, a regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor, and matrix metalloproteinase-3 have also presented associations with worsening modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score. The potential of each biomarker may be heightened by their use in prediction models with the purpose of implementation in clinical practice, particularly in improving patient outcomes and tailoring treatment strategies for individuals with spinal structural damage. Full article

Adipose tissue-derived extracellular vesicles (adiposomes) carry a protein cargo that we previously showed differs between obese and lean individuals. In this study, we investigate how adiposomal protein cargo changes in response to sleeve gastrectomy and examine whether these changes are associated with clinical improvements. Twenty-three obese adults underwent pre- and post-bariatric surgery adipose sampling for adiposome isolation and clinical assessments that included vascular and metabolic profiles and inflammatory markers. The adiposomal protein cargo was analyzed via non-targeted proteomics. Differential protein abundance, pathway enrichment, and correlation analyses were assessed. Twelve weeks after bariatric surgery, BMI and fat mass decreased, accompanied by improved glucose and lipid profiles. Inflammatory markers (leptin, IL-6, CRP) also declined, while adiponectin and nitric oxide increased. Adiposomal proteomics identified 287 proteins, with 138 significantly altered. Downregulated proteins included PRDX2, FN1, SERPIND1, and inflammatory mediators; upregulated proteins included talin-1, fibrinogens, and adiponectin. Correlation analysis linked these changes to improvements in lipid profiles, vascular function, and circulating inflammatory markers. Pathway analysis revealed inhibition of lipid-regulatory pathways alongside enrichment of immune, metabolic, and vascular pathways, including lipoprotein metabolism and endothelial signaling. Bariatric surgery-induced cardiometabolic improvements were accompanied by adiposome proteomic remodeling, characterized by reduced inflammation and metabolic reprogramming. Full article

Background: Overweight and obesity are chronic diseases that result from complex interactions including genetics, environment, eating behaviors, and limited access to a healthy diet. Amaranth protein (AmProt) has several health benefits, but no studies have examined its effects on the modulation of children’s gut microbiota. The work aimed to analyze serum levels and changes in gut microbiota in children aged 8–10 years with different body mass index (BMI) values after supplementation with AmProt. Methods: Participating children were allocated into three groups according to their BMI: normal weight (NW), overweight (OW), and with obesity (OB). Children received AmProt for 90 days. Levels of fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin were analyzed before and after diet supplementation. HOMA-IR and adinopectin/leptin ratio were evaluated. Feces were collected and metagenome analysis was carried out. Results: No changes in glucose levels were observed across groups and treatments; however, cholesterol and triglycerides levels tended to decrease. The HOMA-IR value increased in relation to BMI and no changes were observed after treatment. Firmicutes were highly abundant in all groups. The lower abundance of Ruminococcus was observed in the OW and OB groups. In the OW group, Blautia, Butyricicoccus, and Roseburia were also observed in increased abundance. In all groups, AmProt consumption tended to increase the abundance of Coproccus, Prevotella, and Collinsella. Conclusions: Supplementation of the children’s diet with AmProt showed an improvement in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which could be related to changes in the microbiota related to lipid metabolism. Full article

Background: Children with obesity-related asthma exhibit poorer symptom control and more frequent exacerbations than their normal-weight peers, but the underlying metabolic mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to identify drivers of obesity-related asthma through untargeted plasma metabolomic and lipidomic profiling. Methods: Plasma was obtained from normal weight (NW) asthmatic (n = 95) and non-asthmatic (n = 67) and overweight/obese (OO) asthmatic (n = 99) and non-asthmatic (n = 100) children (6–17 years). We assessed metabolic and lipidomic differences between asthmatics and controls within each BMI group using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), examined overlap with the adult Qatar Biobank cohort, and mapped metabolic–clinical interactions using Gaussian Graphical Models. Results: In the fitted OPLS-DA models, separation between asthmatic and control groups was stronger in the NW group (R²Y = 0.72/0.52) than in OO (R²Y = 0.65/0.63) children. Asthma was associated with altered tricarboxylic acid (TCA) intermediates, ether-linked phosphatidylethanolamines, and sphingomyelins (SM) in NW, and with phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylcholines, and phosphatidylethanolamines in OO. Integrating metabolomic, lipidomic, and clinical data revealed connections between altered SMs and interleukins, and TCA intermediates and electrolytes, all associated with elevated leptin in NW. An increased residual volume to total lung capacity ratio in OO was associated with phospholipid shifts. The overall dynamics in lipid metabolism with asthma, conditioned on BMI, was also observed in the adult Qatar Biobank cohort. Conclusions: Among NW children with asthma, we found enhanced TCA cycle activity and inflammation linked to altered SM metabolism, whereas in OO, the findings suggest oxidative stress arising from chronic obesity-related inflammation. These data reveal BMI-specific metabolic mechanisms of pediatric asthma that might inform precision approaches to disease management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Evidence-based nutritional recommendations for obesity management require understanding of sex-specific and age-specific body composition patterns and their associations with metabolic biomarkers, habitual dietary intake and chronic low-grade inflammation. This study aimed to characterize body composition phenotypes in a large clinical cohort of adults with obesity, to evaluate associated metabolic and inflammatory biomarker patterns, to contextualise these patterns against habitual nutrient intake assessed in a dietary subcohort, and to derive age- and sex-specific nutritional recommendations based on the identified patterns. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 29,544 adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30; 21,374 women, 8170 men; age 30–69) who underwent multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA; InBody 770). Biochemical assessments (fasting glucose, lipid profile, uric acid, HbA1c, insulin) were available for 2019 hospitalized patients from the same population. Habitual dietary intake was quantitatively assessed in a dietary subcohort of 423 patients using the validated Russian software-based questionnaire “Scientific Nutrition Analysis Tool”. Inflammatory biomarkers (high-sensitivity CRP, IL-6) and adipokines (leptin, adiponectin) together with serum 25(OH)D were measured in an inflammation/adipokine subcohort of 116 patients. A body composition phenotype with low relative muscle mass and high visceral fat (VFA ≥ 100 cm²) was defined using FNIH criteria (ALM/BMI < 0.789 men, <0.512 women). Benjamini–Hochberg FDR correction (q < 0.05) was applied for multiple comparisons. Results: The body composition phenotype prevalence increased progressively with age: men 24.6% (30–39) to 42.0% (60–69); women 10.3% (30–39) to 31.8% (60–69). Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was positively associated with uric acid (r = +0.347, p < 0.001, FDR q < 0.05) and inversely associated with HDL-cholesterol (r = −0.321, p < 0.001, FDR q < 0.05)—both associations with direct nutritional implications. BMI was associated with fasting insulin (r = +0.233, p < 0.001, FDR q < 0.05). Women showed significant age-related metabolic differences between the 30–39 and 60–69 age groups: fasting glucose +12.9%, triglycerides +34.8%, uric acid +15.0% (all p < 0.001); in men, significant differences were observed for fasting glucose (+7.0%) and HbA1c (+5.2%) (both p < 0.001), while lipid parameters did not reach significance. In the dietary subcohort, habitual saturated-fat intake exceeded recommended values in 70–72% of patients of both sexes, dietary fibre intake was below recommended levels in 73–85%, and habitual calcium intake decreased significantly with age in women (1022 → 746 mg/day, p = 0.028). Serum CRP was elevated (median 5.59 mg/L, n = 59). In a separate extended laboratory subcohort, serum oestradiol declined markedly with age in women (55.0 → 16.8 pmol/L between 30–39 and 50–59 years, p < 0.001), consistent with the menopausal transition; serum testosterone in men remained stable across age groups; and 25(OH)D insufficiency (<30 ng/mL) was prevalent in 49.7–55.8% of patients. Conclusions: The identified sex-specific and age-specific body composition patterns provide a rationale, supported by observed dietary and inflammatory patterns, for targeted nutritional intervention: increased dietary protein, omega-3 fatty acids supplementation, low-glycemic-index dietary patterns, and purine restriction with hyperuricemia. Routine BIA-based nutritional screening combined with quantitative dietary assessment should begin at age 30, with preventive monitoring at age 40 and intensification of control at age 50, to guide personalized dietary planning in obesity. Full article

Hyperlipidemia-associated obesity is frequently accompanied by hepatic injury, bile acid dysregulation, gut microbial remodeling, and anxiety-like behavioral alterations. As emerging functional food ingredients, postbiotics and dietary herbs (DH) may provide practical dietary strategies for metabolic health management, but the most suitable postbiotic form and its compatibility with DH remain unclear. In this study, FB 3-14-derived postbiotics were first screened in vitro for cholesterol micellar binding. Inactivated bacterial cells (Postcell) exhibited the strongest cholesterol-binding capacity and were therefore selected for in vivo validation, alone or in combination with DH, in a high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) mouse model. Consistently, Postcell showed superior efficacy in attenuating body weight gain, jejunal triglyceride accumulation, and hepatic dysfunction compared with other postbiotic forms. Importantly, Postcell_DH exerted broader metabolic benefits, including reductions in weight gain, food efficiency, bile acid dysregulation, and neuroinflammation. Multi-omics analysis further indicated that these effects may be mediated through remodeling of the gut microbiota and metabolome, particularly pathways involved in bile acid and tryptophan metabolism. Notably, Clostridioides and taurochenodeoxycholate-7-sulfate were negatively associated with total cholesterol (TC) and leptin, whereas Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and 3-Hydroxyindolin-2-1-sulfate were negatively correlated with brain inflammatory level, lipid, and bile acid-related index. This study supports a practical postbiotic–herbal combination strategy relevant to functional food and dietary supplement development for hyperlipidemia-associated metabolic disturbances. Full article

Background: Leptin and adiponectin play a key role in obesity-associated malignancy, particularly in colorectal cancer (CRC). Immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation of these adipokines may offer valuable prognostic insights in CRC. This study aimed to analyze global publication trends and summarize current knowledge on the potential of these hormones as IHC biomarkers in CRC. Methods: A problem-oriented bibliometric analysis, including publications from 2000 to 2025, was performed across the MEDLINE and Scopus databases. In parallel, a literature review was conducted to present the biological and clinical relevance of these adipokines in CRC. Results and Discussion: A total of 101 publications were identified. Scopus indexed substantially more studies than MEDLINE. The journals Cancer Research, Journal of BUON, Cells, BMC Cancer, and Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention were identified as the core journals publishing on this topic over the 25-year period. The leading countries were China and the USA. A review of the literature showed that adiponectin is a promising prognostic marker, while leptin appears to be a better indicator of disease progression. Conclusions: IHC research on leptin and adiponectin in CRC is a promising but still underexplored area. Their integration with routine molecular assessment has the potential to improve patient stratification. Full article

Background: Diets composed of various components have been shown to influence inflammatory diseases such as asthma. While most studies have focused on fiber-rich diets to investigate their effects on the immune system and, consequently, on asthma, little is known about the impact of sugar-rich diets, particularly when such diets are consumed over short periods of time. Methods: To investigate the short-term effects of a sugar-rich diet on allergic airway inflammation, A/J mice were fed either a standard diet or a sugar-enriched diet and subsequently sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin or PBS. Airway inflammation was assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell analysis, including eosinophil counts and cytokine levels (IL-4, TNF-α, IL-33), and by lung histology (H&E for inflammatory infiltrate and PAS for mucus). Serum IgE levels were also measured. In addition, glucose tolerance, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue mass, and inflammatory markers in visceral adipose tissue were evaluated. Results: Short-term consumption of a sugar-rich diet induced glucose intolerance and expansion of adipose tissue, particularly visceral fat, independent of ovalbumin sensitization. Gonadal adipose tissue analysis revealed a shift toward M1 macrophage polarization, characterized by elevated TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, increased leptin levels, and reduced adiponectin. In OVA-sensitized mice, the sugar-rich diet significantly exacerbated eosinophil infiltration in BAL, increased IL-4, TNF-α, and IL-33, and enhanced PAS-positive mucus accumulation and inflammatory infiltrates in the lung. Moreover, total serum IgE was significantly higher in allergic mice fed the sugar-rich diet compared with allergic mice on the standard diet. Importantly, in non-sensitized mice fed the sugar-rich diet, no pulmonary inflammation was detected by BAL, demonstrating that HSD alone does not induce asthma but amplifies allergic responses when sensitization is present. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that short-term consumption of a sugar-rich diet is sufficient to exacerbate, but not initiate, allergic pulmonary inflammation. From a translational perspective, reducing dietary sugar intake may represent a valuable adjuvant strategy in the management of allergic asthma. Full article

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different feeding-promoting substances added to high plant protein diets on the growth, antioxidant, serum biochemical parameters, immune, and feeding-related genes of Procambarus clarkii. A total of 450 crayfish (3.94 ± 0.03 g) were selected and randomly divided into six groups, with each group consisting of three replicates and 25 crayfish per replicate. The crayfish were fed a basal diet without attractant (control group) and five experimental diets supplemented with 0.4% betaine (BET), 0.4% trimetlylamine oxide (TMAO), 0.4% squid paste (SQU), 0.4% dimethyl-β-propiothetin (DMPT), and 0.4% taurine (TAU). The feeding trial lasted for 6 weeks. The results showed that compared with the control group, the BET, SQU, DMPT, and TAU groups significantly improved in growth performance, weight gain rate, and specific growth rate of crayfish. Compared with the control group, the BET, MTAO, and SQU groups significantly increased hepatopancreas SOD, CAT, and T-AOC. Histological results showed that compared with the control group, all feeding attractant groups could alleviate hepatopancreas tissue damage. Compared with the control group, the TMAO and SQU groups significantly reduced serum GLU content as well as ACP and AKP activities. The results of gene quantitative analysis showed that, compared with the control, TMAO significantly upregulated the expression of tlr, nf-kb, propo, hsp70, and tgf-β, while TAU significantly increased the expression of hsp70, hsp90 and nf-kb genes. Compared with the control group, the expression levels of tor, 4ebp1, and s6k1 in the TMAO group were significantly increased. Compared with the control group, the expression levels of leptin and npy genes in the DMPT group were significantly increased. In summary, the addition of attractants to high plant protein feed has the effects of promoting growth, enhancing antioxidant capacity, improving digestive enzyme activity, alleviating hepatopancreas injury, improving immunity, and promoting feeding. Full article

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with rumen-protected arginine (RP-Arg) on growth performance, rumen fermentation parameters, microbial diversity, and blood physiological and biochemical indices in fattening Altay sheep. A total of 24 healthy, 6-month-old Altay male lambs were randomly assigned to three groups, with eight replicates per group. The control group received a basal diet, while the experimental groups were supplemented with either 0.50% or 1.00% RP-Arg on a dry matter basis, respectively. The results indicated that RP-Arg supplementation had no significant effect on feed intake, growth performance, or slaughter performance of the lambs (p > 0.05), whereas backfat thickness decreased linearly (p < 0.05). With increasing RP-Arg levels, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, leptin, and catalase activity increased linearly (p < 0.05), while blood ammonia, alanine aminotransferase, and Ig M exhibited a significant quadratic increase (p < 0.05). RP-Arg supplementation led to a linear decrease in ruminal propionate and valerate concentrations (p < 0.05). Analysis of bacterial diversity revealed that the class Vampirivibrionia and the order Gastranaerophilales were biomarkers for the 0.50% RP-Arg group, while several taxa within the phyla Proteobacteria and Thermoplasmatota served as biomarkers for the 1.00% RP-Arg group. In summary, although supplementation of a forage-based diet with RP-Arg partially modified rumen microbial composition and fermentation profile, and regulated several blood biochemical parameters, it did not translate into any beneficial effects on growth performance. Larger-scale studies are therefore warranted to further elucidate the role of RP-Arg in fattening lambs. Full article