Search Results (502)

Obesity poses a serious threat to human health, with induced skeletal muscle dysfunction significantly increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome. In obesity, it is known that visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mediates the dysregulation of the adipose–muscle axis through exosome-delivered miRNAs, but the associated regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. This study established an AAV-mediated miR-155 obese mouse model and a co-culture system (HFD VAD-evs/RAW264.7 cells/C2C12 cells) to demonstrate that high-fat diet-induced VA-derived extracellular vesicles (HFD VAD-evs) preferentially accumulate in skeletal muscle and induce developmental impairment. HFD VAD-evs disrupt skeletal muscle homeostasis through dual mechanisms: the direct suppression of myoblast development via exosomal miR-155 cargo and the indirect inhibition of myogenesis through macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses in skeletal muscle. Notably, miR-155 inhibition in HFD VAD-evs reversed obesity-associated myogenic deficits. These findings provide novel mechanistic insights into obesity-induced skeletal muscle dysregulation and facilitate potential therapeutic strategies targeting exosomal miRNA signaling. Full article

Metabolic diseases such as high blood lipids, high blood sugar, and disrupted gut microbiota pose a serious threat to people’s physical health. The occurrence of these diseases is closely related to the lack of nutrients in daily rice staple foods, but there is a lack of comprehensive analysis of the underlying mechanisms. This study used fully nutritious brown rice as raw material, and after germination under various stress conditions, it significantly increased the levels of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA, four carbon non protein amino acid), resistant starch, flavonoids, and other components that regulate metabolic diseases. Using rats as experimental subjects, a model of hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia was constructed, with rice consumption as the control. The experimental period was 8 weeks. Research has found that feeding sprouted brown rice can significantly improve the accumulation of white fat in the liver caused by a high-fat diet, significantly reduce TC, TG, LDL-C, apoB, HL, LPL, and LCAT, significantly increase HDL-C and apoA1, and significantly reduce the levels of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α. Therefore, consuming sprouted brown rice can reduce the risk of hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and tumor occurrence by promoting fat breakdown, and can also increase the abundance of metabolic-promoting microorganisms (especially Euryarchaeota and Lactobacillus) in the intestine, improving the entire metabolic ecological network of rats. Full article

This study investigated the possibility of partial replacement of genetically modified soybean meal (SBM) with raw white lupin (WL) seeds in growing pigs’ diets and determined its impact on performance [body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI)], meat quality, and fatty acid profile (FA). A total of 54 male crossbred pigs [(Topigs Large White × Norsvin Landrace) × Duroc], aged 12 weeks, with an initial average BW of 30.30 ± 0.77 kg, were divided into three dietary groups of 18 piglets each. The control group (CON) was fed a standardized SBM-based complete feed. In the experimental groups (WL1 and WL2) the SBM was replaced with increasing levels of WL seeds [WL1-5.0% and WL2-10.0% (grower period, 30–60 kg BW), and WL1-7.0% and WL2-14.0% (finisher period, 61–110 kg BW)]. All diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous with similar content of total lysine and sulphur amino acids, calcium, and available phosphorus. At the end of 83 days’ fattening trial, the animals were slaughtered. Longissimus dorsi muscle (LD) was sampled for analyses of the physicochemical traits. The results show that increasing the dietary raw WL concentration decreased final BW (p = 0.039), ADG (p < 0.0001), and ADFI (p = 0.004) throughout the experimental period, especially in the second phase of feeding. Dietary treatments did not affect the pigs’ blood biochemical constituents. Concerning LD muscle characteristics, the redness color (a*) and collagen content was higher (p < 0.0001) in the WL1/WL2 vs. CON group. Beneficial decrease in the values of some textural attributes (hardness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience) of LD in the WL1/WL2 vs. CON group was registered. The use of WL had a significant effect on the content of FAs, especially for eicosapentaenoic (p = 0.014) and n-3 PUFA (p = 0.045), which were higher than those fed the CON diet. In conclusion, WL could be used as a replacement of SBM in growing–finishing pigs’ diets, with significant improvements in the meat fatty acid profile and technological properties. Full article

With the acceleration of the pace of life, increased stress levels, and changes in lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, the incidence of diseases such as cancer and immunodeficiency has been on the rise, which is closely associated with the impaired antioxidant capacity of the body. Polypeptides and polysaccharides derived from edible fungi demonstrate significant strong antioxidant activity and immunomodulatory effects. Auricularia auricula, the second most cultivated mushroom in China, is not only nutritionally rich but also offers considerable health benefits. In particular, its polysaccharides have been widely recognized for their immunomodulatory activities, while its abundant protein content holds great promise as a raw material for developing immunomodulatory peptides. To meet the demand for high-value utilization of Auricularia auricula resources, this study developed a key technology for the stepwise extraction of polypeptides (AAPP1) and polysaccharides (AAPS3) using a composite enzymatic hydrolysis process. Their antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects were assessed using cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immune-suppressed mice. The results showed that both AAPP1 and AAPS3 significantly reversed CTX-induced decreases in thymus and spleen indices (p < 0.05); upregulated serum levels of cytokines (e.g., IL-4, TNF-α) and immunoglobulins (e.g., IgA, IgG); enhanced the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT (p < 0.05); and reduced the content of MDA, a marker of oxidative damage. Intestinal microbiota analysis revealed that these compounds restored CTX-induced reductions in microbial α-diversity, increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Paramuribaculum, Prevotella; p < 0.05), decreased the proportion of pro-inflammatory Duncaniella, and reshaped the balance of the Bacteroidota/Firmicutes phyla. This study represents the first instance of synergistic extraction of polypeptides and polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula using a single process. It demonstrates their immune-enhancing effects through multiple mechanisms, including “antioxidation-immune organ repair-intestinal microbiota regulation.” The findings offer a theoretical and technical foundation for the deep processing of Auricularia auricula and the development of functional foods. Full article

This study aimed to optimize the inoculation dosage and fermentation duration to enhance the protein content and reduce soluble oligosaccharides in soybean meal using Aspergillus oryzae and assessed its performance in dog food extrusion. A 3 × 5 factorial design was used to determine the optimal fermentation conditions. These conditions were applied to ferment soybean meal in bulk for nutritional analysis. Finally, the impact of fermentation on extrusion processing was assessed by formulating and extruding four diets: SBM (30% soybean meal), AMF (30% soybean meal with 1% Amaferm^®—A. oryzae biomass), FSBM (30% fermented soybean meal), and SPI (18% soy protein isolate). Diets were extruded with a single-screw extruder, and physical characteristics of kibbles, particle size distribution, and viscosity of raw mixes were analyzed. The optimal fermentation conditions were 1 × 10⁴ spore/g substrate for 36 h, which increased the crude protein content by 4.63% DM, methionine and cysteine total content by 0.15% DM, and eliminated sucrose, while significantly reducing stachyose, raffinose, and verbascose (95.22, 87.37, and 41.82%, respectively). The extrusion results showed that FSBM had intermediate specific mechanical energy (SME), in-barrel moisture requirements, and sectional expansion index (198.7 kJ/kg, 28.2%, and 1.80, respectively) compared with SBM (83.7 kJ/kg, 34.5%, and 1.30, respectively) and SPI (305.3 kJ/kg, 33.5%, and 2.55, respectively). The FSBM also exhibited intermediate particle size distribution and the least raw mix viscosity. These findings demonstrate that A. oryzae fermentation enhances the nutrient profile of soybean meal while improving extrusion efficiency and kibble quality, supporting its potential use as a sustainable pet food ingredient. Full article

This exploratory study presents the first metagenomic assessment of the gut microbiome in domestic cats from Cali, Colombia. Fecal samples were collected from 10 healthy, sterilized domestic cats, aged 8 months to over 2 years, with variation in sex (7 females, 3 males), diet (processed or raw), and outdoor access (5 with, 5 without). Using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding and pooled shotgun metagenomic sequencing, the study characterized the taxonomic composition and functional potential of the feline gut microbiome. Dominant phyla included Bacillota and Bacteroidota, with substantial inter-individual variation. Peptoclostridium was the most consistently abundant genus, while Megamonas and Megasphaera showed higher variability. Shotgun analysis detected antibiotic resistance genes (ErmG, ErmQ) and virulence factors (pfoA, plc, colA, nanJ, nagI) in Clostridium perfringens, highlighting potential zoonotic risk. The composition of the gut microbiota was influenced primarily by diet and outdoor access, while age and gender had more moderate effects. The study concludes that lifestyle and environmental factors play a key role in shaping the gut microbiome of domestic cats. We recommend further longitudinal and larger-scale studies to better understand the dynamics of feline microbiota and their implications for animal and public health within a One Health framework. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with sodium butyrate (SB) in different forms on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune response, and intestinal health of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Five diets were formulated: a basal diet (SB0), diets with 1000 (ESB1), 1500 (ESB2), and 2000 mg/kg encapsulated SB (ESB3), and a diet with 2000 mg/kg raw powder sodium butyrate (RSB, non-encapsulated). After 49 days of feeding trials, the ESB2 group exhibited significantly higher weight gain and specific growth rates and a lower feed coefficient than those of the SB0 group (p < 0.05). Compared with the SB0 group, proximal intestinal villus length and width were significantly increased in the ESB1, ESB2, and ESB3 groups (p < 0.05). The expressions of tight junction genes zo-1, claudin-1, and claudin-4 were up-regulated in these SB-supplemented groups and most pronounced in the ESB2 group (p < 0.05). Compared with the SB0 group, antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase and superoxide dismutase) and their gene expressions increased in the ESB1, ESB2, and RSB groups (p < 0.05). Immune-related genes il-10 and tgf-β1 were up-regulated in the ESB1 and ESB2 groups, while their il-8, il-1β, and tnf-α were down-regulated (p < 0.05). The ESB2 group had higher intestinal abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 1500 mg/kg encapsulated SB (ESB2) improved growth, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and gut health in largemouth bass. Full article

Aquaculture advancement depends on alternative raw materials to reduce reliance on fishmeal (FM) and fish oil (FO) from extractive fisheries. Strategies like restricted feeding reduce costs and improve sustainability by minimizing feed waste and enhancing water quality, while selective breeding boosts growth and adapts fish to innovative diets. However, these measures may affect quality and shelf life. Gilthead seabream selected for high growth or non-selected were fed in 500 L tanks for 300 days until apparent satiety (AS) or with food restrictions (85AS or 65AS) using a control diet with low FM and FO balanced with vegetable ingredients, and an alternative diet (ALT) where FM was substantially replaced with insect, poultry by-product, feather, and porcine blood meals, while FO was completely replaced by microalgae, poultry, and salmon by-product oils. The ALT diet improved EPA + DHA levels, n-3/n-6 ratio, and fillet hardness. The selected fish outperformed the non-selected ones in growth and were more resilient to ALT diet and feeding restrictions. The 85AS feeding strategy optimized fillet quality by preventing lipid accumulation and muscle adaptations, as observed with the other feeding strategies. Combining sustainable feed formulations, genetic selection, and moderate feed restriction enables a viable, long-term strategy for high-quality, environmentally responsible seabream farming. Full article

Information about the trace elements content of goose carcass parts with or without skin can be important for consumers when making dietary choices. This study aimed to (1) determine the effects of popular heat processing techniques on the content of chromium (Cr), iodine (I), manganese (Mn), and bromine (Br) in goose breast muscle, and (2) estimate the extent to which 100 g of goose meat—both with and without skin—cover the Nutrient Reference Values (NRV) for Cr, I, Mn, and the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for Br in adults. The heat processing techniques used in the study were water bath cooking (WBC), Oven Convection Roasting (OCR), grilling (G), and pan frying (PF). Grilled goose breast without skin had the highest Br retention (97.4%) and TDI (2.41%). Cooked goose breast (WBC) with skin exhibited the highest retention of Cr (73.8%) and I (73.6%). The highest Mn content was found in meat without skin after OCR processing and grilled meat with skin (0.170 and 0.191 mg/100 g, respectively). The iodine content in the meat decreased (from 0.020 raw to 0.003 mg/100 g after PF) with each heat treatment. The results of our study may provide helpful information for consumers when making dietary choices and using heat treatment techniques. Goose breast muscles, depending on heat treatment and the presence of skin, provide trace elements in the range of 2.21% of NRV (Nutrient Reference Value) for Br without skin to 740.7% of NRV for Cr with skin and may be a valuable component of a varied diet (apart from iodine). The Br content in the meat decreases after WBC treatment (1.29 without skin or 1.43 with skin mg/100 g). For this reason, it seems to be the most beneficial for the consumer’s health because it minimizes the risk of exceeding the TDI value. Total hazard quotients (THQ) in meat (regardless of the treatment and skin presence) for Cr, Mn, and Br contents were <1, indicating a low risk to Polish consumer health. Full article

Fish are a valuable source of high-quality protein and essential nutrients, making them an integral component of a healthy diet. However, protein digestibility, influenced by preparation methods, is a critical factor in assessing nutritional quality. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of various thermal processing methods on the protein digestibility of two commonly consumed small pelagic fish species: sardines (Sardina pilchardus) and sprats (Sprattus sprattus). Protein digestibility was assessed using two complementary approaches: total protein digestibility and the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS). Fish samples were subjected to different cooking methods, including boiling, steaming, baking, and frying. All thermal treatments enhanced protein digestibility compared to raw fish. Fried samples exhibited the highest total protein digestibility, with sardines reaching 92.4 ± 4.3% and sprats reaching 89.5 ± 4.4%. DIAAS values corroborated these findings, indicating superior protein quality in fried fish. While frying yielded the highest digestibility scores, steaming and boiling provided a favourable balance between improved protein quality and lower potential health risks, with baking achieving comparable results. Full article

Adiponectin (APN) is a secreted adipokine that plays a key role in modulating energy and bone metabolism, as well as regulating inflammatory responses. The overexpression of APN has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for treating obesity and related disorders. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are promising vectors for transporting messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) molecules. This study tested whether delivering a stabilized version of adiponectin mRNA (APN mRNA) using lipid nanoparticles could reduce fat formation and promote bone repair in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated that transfection with APN-LNP upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of APN, while inhibiting adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. APN-LNP enhanced osteogenic gene expression in MC3T3-E1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. It also reduced matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression in receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, suggesting an anti-resorptive effect. In vivo, a femoral fracture model was established to explore the application of APN-LNP in promoting bone healing in diet-induced obese mice. Micro-computed tomography and histology analysis indicated that intravenous injection with APN-LNP promoted bone healing. Fasting blood glucose and body weight were decreased in the APN-LNP group. Moreover, APN-LNP increased bone sialoprotein and runt-related transcription factor 2 expression in contralateral femurs, as well as interleukin-10 expression in white adipose tissues. Thus, our study provides promising preclinical data on the potential use of APN-LNP for treating bone disorders in obesity. Full article

Seaweeds represent a vital yet often understudied component of the diet and cultural heritage of many coastal communities globally. This study investigated seaweed consumption practices in coastal communities of Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, through one-to-one interviews (n = 280) and focus group discussions (n = 7). The study revealed that nearly all (99%) of the population consumes seaweeds, with women comprising the majority of consumers who have done so since childhood (68% female vs. 32% male). These consumers were predominantly married (79%), within the 21–40 age group (53%), with families of 5–7 members (43%), practicing Islam (97%), and belonging to the Sama tribe (71%). A significant portion (48%) had resided in the area for 21–30 years, attained elementary to high school education (66%), and had a monthly income ranging from 1000 to 10,000 Philippine pesos (72%). Seaweed consumption was a family-wide practice (88%), including children, who typically started around 4–8 years old (61%), driven by perceived nutritional benefits (43%), preferred flavor (80%), affordability (19%), ease of preparation (33%), and cultural integration (23%). The primary edible seaweeds identified were Kappaphycus alvarezii (63%), K. striatus (58%), Kappaphycus spp. (47%), Eucheuma denticulatum (57%), Caulerpa lentillifera (64%), Caulerpa spp. (51%), C. cf. macrodisca ecad corynephora (45%), C. racemosa (30%), and Solieria robusta (49%), with less frequent consumption of K. malesianus (8%), Chaetomorpha crassa (3%), Gracilaria spp. (0.72%), and Hydroclathrus clathratus (0.36%). Specific plant parts were preferred for certain species, and preparation predominantly involved raw (75%) or cooked (77%) salads with spices, primarily prepared by mothers (72%). Consumers generally avoided seaweeds showing signs of ice-ice disease (95%), pale coloration (91%), or epiphyte infestation (84%). Consumption frequency was typically 1–3 times per week (45%), with knowledge largely passed down through generations (95%). Seaweed salads were primarily consumed as a viand (92%) at home (97%), with locals perceiving seaweed consumption as contributing to a healthy diet (40%) and overall well-being [e.g., aiding hunger (76%), improving digestion (20%), preventing obesity (14%), and aiding brain development (3%)]. The study’s findings emphasize the significant yet often overlooked role of seaweeds in the food systems and cultural heritage of Tawi-Tawi’s coastal communities. Future efforts should prioritize the sustainable management of wild resources, explore the cultivation of diverse edible species, and enhance nutritional awareness. Further research into traditional seaweed knowledge holds broader value. Full article

With the increasing demand for ethanol fuel, corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) production is increasing annually. Current global ethanol output is approximately 120–130 billion liters annually, of which bioethanol constitutes 90–95% of total production. Corn DDGS is widely used as a feed ingredient for pigs due to its low cost and crude protein content ranging from 19% to 34%. However, corn DDGS is not effectively utilized because of factors such as raw material sources and inadequate drying processes, and a large portion of it is wasted and lost. It has become a difficult challenge to use DDGS in pig diets because of its weaknesses, including being rich in fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can lead to decreases in growth performance, feed conversion, and the pork shelf life of pigs. In recent years, researchers focusing on ways to improve the effective utility of corn DDGS in pig diets have made some progress. In this study, we review the nutritional characteristics of corn DDGS; the limiting factors in pig production, such as the higher concentration of non-starch polysaccharides, linoleic acid, and zein in corn DDGS; and the current improvement measures being taken to provide a reference for the improved utilization of corn DDGS resources in the diets of pigs. Full article

The trial explored innovative low-protein diets for weaning piglets, testing the elimination of fish meal and blood derivatives. The trial compared three treatments, each with two post-weaning feeds: control feed with blood plasma and fishmeal; T1: low-protein feed with seven amino acids, fishmeal, and blood plasma; T2: low-protein feed with seven amino acids without fishmeal and blood plasma. The trial tested 180 weaned piglets, 24 days of age, evenly distributed by weight, age, and litter of origin. At the end of the first phase, T1 and T2 recorded a significantly higher average weight, ADG, and FCR compared with the control feed. At the end of the second phase, the T2 group maintained a significantly better weight, ADG, and FCR than the control group. Considering the entire test period (phase 1 and phase 2), the T2 thesis appears to have a significantly higher average weight, ADG, with a lower FCR compared to the control group. The T2 thesis fixed a significantly (p < 0.01) greater quantity of nitrogen compared to the T1 thesis and control feed (T2 58.71% vs. T1 54.13% and control 54.02%). In conclusion, a low-protein diet without raw materials of animal origin proved more efficient in terms of performance and nitrogen retention. Full article

The influence of algae in a final fattening diet for gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata, was studied in an 87 d feeding trial. Five groups were analysed (three tanks per group). In the first 38 days, one lot was fed with standard algae-free feed (C1) and four batches were fed with an algae-free diet low in fishmeal (FM) and fish oil (FO) and rich in terrestrial vegetables (C2). Subsequently, the C2 diet was changed in three out of the four groups, two of them being fed a diet with a microalgae blend (10%) plus 2% macroalgae (Alaria esculenta), either in raw (C2-R) or hydrolysed (C2-H) form, and a third batch with a diet lacking FM and FO but supplemented with 10% microalgae and 7% algae oil (C2-O) for 49 days. Body length and weight, muscle parameters, and conversion index were analysed after 38 and 87 days. At day 38, no significant differences were observed in any parameter between C1 and C2, but at the end of the trial (day 87), C2 displayed the lowest weight gain and the worst conversion rate, whereas C2-R showed higher body weight, fibrillar hypertrophy, and better conversion rates than the other groups, and C2-H displayed higher hyperplasia values than the other groups. Full article