Animals ; Anorexia ; etiology ; Appetite ; physiology ; Cholecystokinin ; physiology ; Digestion ; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 ; physiology ; Humans ; Hypothalamus ; physiology ; Insulin ; physiology ; Norepinephrine ; physiology

The effects of ration level and feeding frequency on digestibility in juvenile soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis, were investigated. Four ration levels 1.5%, 2.5%, 4.0% and satiation (6.0% BW/d) were used. Apparent digestibility (AD) of dry matter (DMAD), protein (PAD) and protein real digestibility (PRD) were significantly affected by ration level, but not by feeding frequency when the ration level was similar. However, the feeding frequency affected the AD, DMAD, PAD and PRD significantly when the turtles were fed to satiation. The relationship between fecal protein content (Y) and protein intake (X) can be expressed as a quadric equation: Y=-0.1742+0.1476X-0.0003X(2) (r(2)=0.876, n=27, F=93.92, P<0.01).
Animal Feed ; analysis ; classification ; Animals ; Digestion ; physiology ; Feeding Behavior ; physiology ; Food Analysis ; Food Deprivation ; physiology ; Periodicity ; Turtles ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo develop and validate an in vitro digestion model for assessing the bioaccessibilities of some important mycotoxins of aflatoxin B group (aflatoxin B(1) and aflatoxin B(2), AFB(1) and AFB(2)).

METHODSUsing simulating gastrointestinal physiological digestion process, the effects of digestion time (long, medium and short), the fasting and feeding status (fasting, between fasting and semi-feeding, semi-feeding, between semi-feeding and feeding, feeding states), the volume and pH (high, medium and low) of digestive solution, as well as other food ingredients ingested along with aflatoxin B group from mixed foods on bioaccessiblities of AFB(1) and AFB(2) in the mouth, stomach and small intestine were studied. The optimal technical parameters of the model were identified and the model was validated with mycotoxin adsorbents.

RESULTSThe optimal conditions of AFB(1) releasing from the ingested foods at the highest concentration in gastrointestinal tract were as follows: digestion time of 6 min, 1.5 h and 2.5 h in mouth, stomach and duodenum, respectively; the optimal pH values of 1.1 and 7.5 for gastric juice and duodenal fluid; the volume of 7, 13, 12 and 6 ml for saliva, gastric juice, intestinal fluid and bile, respectively; the optimal conditions of AFB(2) releasing from the ingested foods at the highest concentration in gastrointestinal tract were as follows: digestion time of 6 min, 2.5 h and 2.5 h in mouth, stomach and duodenum, respectively; the optimal pH values of 1.1 and 7.8 for gastric juice and duodenal fluid; the volume of 5, 12, 13 and 6 ml for saliva, gastric juice, intestinal fluid and bile, respectively. The bioaccessibilities of both AFB(1) and AFB(2) were highest at the fasting state (83.1% and 89.3% respectively). The bioaccessibilities decreased with the increasing of stomach contents, but the changes in bioaccessibility were not significant when the stomach contents reached the semi-feeding state or more. From semi-feeding to feeding state, the biocessibilities of AFB(1) decreased from 72.8% to 71.5% and AFB(2) decreased from 78.3% to 76.9%. Chlorophyll and activated charcoal were the strongest absorbent in reducing the bioaccessibilities of AFB(1) and AFB(2), and the bioaccessibilities decreased to 0.8% and 1.3% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe in vitro digestion model developed in the present study is stable and reproducible, and meets the requirements for assessing the bioaccessibilities of AFB(1) and AFB(2) in foods.

Aflatoxin B1 ; analysis ; metabolism ; Digestion ; physiology ; Eating ; Food Analysis ; methods ; Models, Biological

The ralationship between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and intestinal microecology is increasingly being given more and more attention. Combined with the devolopment of intestinal microecology disciplines, effects of TCM on regulation of intestinal microecology have been gradually explained. Both clinical studies and animal experiments have confirmed that TCM can maintain the balance of intestinal microecology and regulate the intestinal flora. The author arrangemented the documents related to Chinese herbal compound adjusting intestinal flora in the recent ten years, summarized that the Chinese herbal compound which can strength spleen and replenish Qi, relax bowels and regulate Qi, dissipate dampness and check diarrhea, clear away heat and toxic materials, promote digestion and relieve stasis had certain regulation effects on intestinal microecology, providing basis for revealing the TCM essence of intestinal microecology.
Animals ; Digestion ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intestines ; drug effects ; microbiology ; physiology ; Spleen ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the appropriate time of starting enteral nutrition and observe the effects of different enteral nutrition starting times on the digestive function, growth rate, and nosocomial infection rate in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI).

METHODSAll the VLBWI admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between February and December, 2012 were selected. Depending on different times of starting enteral nutrition, these infants were divided into three groups: ≤ 3 days (n=116), 4-6 days (n=36), and ≥ 7 days (n=26). The effects of different enteral nutrition starting times on digestive function, growth rate and nosocomial infection rate were analyzed.

RESULTSThe ≤ 3 days group had significantly higher milk intake than the other two groups at one week after birth; the ≤ 3 days and 4-6 days group had significantly higher milk intake than the ≥ 7 days group at two and three weeks after birth. The growth rate showed no significant differences between the three groups. The ≤ 3 days group had a significantly shorter time of central venous catheterization than the other two groups, and the ≥ 7 days group had a significantly longer time to full enteral feeding than the other two groups. The nosocomial infection rate of the ≤ 3 days group (13.8%) was significantly lower than that of the ≥ 7 days group (46.2%).

CONCLUSIONSFor VLBWI, the time of starting enteral nutrition has no impact on growth rate, but starting enteral nutrition early can promote the development of gastrointestinal function, increase milk intake, shorten the time to full enteral feeding, reduce the time of central venous catheterization, and significantly reduce nosocomial infection rate.

Cross Infection ; prevention & control ; Digestion ; Enteral Nutrition ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; physiology ; Male ; Time Factors

By now, the digestive stability experiments provided by most authoritative organizations are in vitro tests. Evaluating the protein digestive stability with in vivo models should be more objective. The present study aimed to verify the in vivo digestibility of soybean β-conglycinin β-subunit in Wuzhishan (WZS) minipigs. Three minipigs were surgically fitted with O-stomach and T-ileum cannulae and fed with soybean meals. According to SDS-PAGE, the 50 kD fraction of soybean β-conglycinin β-subunit persisted in the gastric fluid until 6 h after feeding, which was detected at 3 h and clearly visible at 4-6 h in the intestinal fluid. Western blot with anti-β-conglycinin β-subunit McAb confirmed it.
Animals ; Antigens, Plant ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Digestion ; physiology ; Globulins ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Male ; Protein Subunits ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Seed Storage Proteins ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Soybean Proteins ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo compare the changes of digestive and absorptive functions in three different models of Pi-deficiency syndrome (PDS).

METHODSExperimental mice were divided into four groups, the control group(CG), the rhubarb group (RG), the exhaustion group (EG) and the over-exertion group(OG). Criteria including general physical signs, D-xylose excretion rate, serum amylase activity, velocity of stomach emptying and enterokinesia, serum gastrin content and indexes of organs were determined before and after treatment.

RESULTSDecrease of D-xylose excretion rate and increase of stomach emptying and enterokinesia velocity appeared in all the three PDS models. As compared with CG, changes of all indices in OG were significant, while the decreasing of spleen index and serum amylase activity in EG, and the changes of serum gastrin content and thymus index in RG were insignificantly different.

CONCLUSIONAll the changes in various criteria showed that PDS mice model established by over-exertion was superior to that established by frequently used methods as purging with rhubarb and exhausting by swimming.

Animals ; Digestion ; physiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Intestinal Absorption ; physiology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Splenic Diseases ; Syndrome ; Xylose ; urine ; Yang Deficiency

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of acupuncture at "Tianshu" (ST 25) on electro-activity and mechanical motility at different phases of migrating motor complex (MMC) during jejunal digestion period in rats with detached jejunum, so as to explore the effect and mechanism of acupuncture on regulating intestinal movement.

METHODSSixteen adult SD rats were selected. Electrodes were implanted in the serous membrane of intestinal smooth muscl.e and high-sensitivity sensors of strain gauge were sutured on serosal surface, and then the rat was anesthetized and its jejunum was detached. Electro-acriviry and mechanical motility of jejunal smooth muscle were recorded simultaneously. Acupuncture was applied at "Tianshu" (ST 25) at MMC I , MMCII and MMC III, respectively, to observe its influence on electro-activity and mechanical motility.

RESULTSAt phase of MMC I, there was no obvious change of the fast wave before and after the acupuncture, while the frequency and amplitude of slow wave and mechanical motility were both significantly decreased compared with baseline (P < 0.01). At MMCII-Ill, the frequency and amplitude of fast wave, slow wave and motility were all significantly decreased compared with baseline (P < 0.01). Acupuncture at "Tianshu" (ST 25) had prohibited effects on electro-activity and mechanical motility of jejunal smooth muscle in rats with detached jejunum.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at "Tianshu" (ST 25) has obvious prohibited effects on electro-acrivity and mechanical motility at MMC I , MMC II and MMC III time phases in rats with detached jejunum. The possible mechanism is that acupuncture at "Tianshu" (ST 25) could prohibit jejunum movement through reflex path of skin-sympathetic.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Digestion ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Jejunum ; chemistry ; physiology ; Male ; Myoelectric Complex, Migrating ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cholangiocytes are capable of reabsorbing bile salts from bile, but the pathophysiological significance of this process is unclear. To this end, we detected the expression and distribution of bile acid transport proteins in cholangiocytes from normal rat liver and analyzed the possible pathophysiological significance. METHODS: Bile duct tissues of Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated by enzymatic digestion and mechanical isolation, and then divided into large and small bile duct tissues. Immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to determine the expression of the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT), ileal bile acid binding protein (IBABP), and basolateral organic solute transporter α (Ostα) in the biliary tract system of rats. Differences in the expression and distribution of these proteins were analyzed. RESULTS: In cholangiocytes, ASBT and IBABP were mainly expressed in cholangiocytes of the large bile ducts, in which the expression of both was significantly higher than that in the small ducts (p<0.05). Ostα was simultaneously expressed in cholangiocytes of both the large and small bile ducts, showing no significant difference in expression between the two groups of bile ducts (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bile acid transporters are expressed and heterogeneously distributed in rat bile ducts, indicating that bile acid reabsorption by cholangiocytes might mainly occur in the large bile ducts. These findings may help explore the physiology of bile ducts and the pathogenesis of various cholangiopathies.
Animals ; Bile Acids and Salts ; Bile Ducts ; Bile ; Biliary Tract ; Blotting, Western ; Carrier Proteins ; Digestion ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; Physiology ; Population Characteristics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Three yearling lambs with a rumen cannula were used to investigate the effects of supplementation with an urea-minerals lick block (ULB) on the kinetics of ruminal fibre digestion, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen (N) utilization of rice straw (RS), ammonia bicarbonate (AB)treated RS (ABRS) and hay prepared from natural pasture. The digestibility of dry matter and organic matter of RS increased by 13.1% and 12.7% (P<0.05) when the diet was supplemented with ULB, and approached to that of ABRS, indicating that the effect of ULB on digestibility of RS is similar to that of AB treatment. The digestibility of ABRS was slightly improved by the ULB feeding. Nitrogen retention was highest in lambs fed on ABRS alone, followed by hay with ULB, and was lowest in animals fed on RS with ULB. However, both the amount and proportion of N retention to N intake were enhanced by ULB supplementation to lambs fed on hay. The proportion of N retained to N digested decreased due to ULB supplementation to lambs fed on RS or ABRS. Supplementing ULB did not greatly influence the rumen degradation of either dry matter or crude protein in each of the three diets. RS and hay had similar values in the potential extent of digestion (PED) and digestion rate of PED (kd) of fibrous materials, but the discrete lag time for RS was lower than that for hay. The AB treatment significantly increased the PED (P<0.05) and kd (P<0.05) of RS. Neither the PED nor kd for RS and ABRS was influenced by ULB supplementation, but the kd for hay significantly increased due to ULB. The lag time for hay was also shortened by the ULB feeding. The ULB improved the digestion of fibre in the rumen of lambs fed on low quality roughage. It is inferred that while ULB is effective in increasing nutrient digestibility of low quality roughages by improving ruminal fibre digestion. A synchronized supply of N and energy to rumen microbes should be considered to improve the efficiency of N utilization when the basal diet is ammoniated straw.
Administration, Oral ; Animal Feed ; Animals ; Dietary Fiber ; metabolism ; Dietary Supplements ; Digestion ; drug effects ; physiology ; Feeding Behavior ; drug effects ; physiology ; Minerals ; administration & dosage ; Nitrogen ; metabolism ; Sheep ; physiology ; Urea ; administration & dosage