Research Article
Semi-Purified Egg-White Protein (EWP) Diet Improves Nutritional Status and Maintains Adequate Blood Pressure in Dahl Salt-Sensitive (Dahl-SS) Rats
Lusliany Josefina Rondón*
,
Gabriela Alejandra González-Infante
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 2, April 2025
Pages:
31-44
Received:
13 February 2025
Accepted:
11 March 2025
Published:
26 March 2025
Abstract: Standardized diets for laboratory rodents become increasingly important. Dietary imbalances can negatively impact experimental outcomes. Commercially available diets often include ingredients that cannot be experimentally manipulated and may not meet all nutritional and experimental requirements. Current growth and maintenance diets for experimental animals are regulated by the American Institute for Nutrition (AIN). In our laboratory, we developed a diet based on egg-white protein (EWP) using endogenous ingredients that are safe for experimental rats and can be experimentally manipulated according to AIN standards. Therefore, this study aims to test and validate the nutritional quality of the EWP diet for the Dahl-SS rat strain, which is known to be nutrient-sensitive and genetically predisposed to develop hypertension. 14 pairs of Dahl-SS rats (14 females and 14 males) were used for mating. The rats were randomly divided into two groups: 7 pairs were fed a commercial standard diet, and the other 7 pairs were fed an EWP diet. From here, 10 pregnant rats (5 from each group), 14 weeks of age, and 1 week of gestation, were selected for the study and were fed their respective diets. The offspring were weighed at birth and weaned at 4 weeks of age. Five pups were randomly selected from each group (standard diet group and EWP diet group) and continued with their mother’s respective diets for an additional 6 weeks. During the study they were subjected to Biological (clinical-behavioral status, metabolic analysis, relative organ-weight), Biochemical (mineral analysis, hemogram, protein analysis) and Physiological parameters analysis (Blood Pressure determination, enzymatic activity of Na+ and Na/K+ pump in renal cortex). To complete analysis of the different parameters, at 10 weeks, the rats were sacrificed by exsanguination via cardiac puncture under intraperitoneal anesthesia with thiopental sodium (20-25 mg/kg). Blood was collected in heparinized and centrifuged tubes at 3500 g for 10 minutes at 4°C. Plasma was separated and stored at -20°C until analysis. The kidneys, heart, spleen, and liver were collected and weighed. Dahl-SS rats fed the EWP diet showed normal behavioral, motor and metabolic values, faster and greater body weight gain, blood and urine biochemistry values within normal range, stable blood pressure, normal enzyme activity, and adequate kidney function in comparison to the rats fed the standard diet. According to the parameters assessed, it was possible to conclude that the EWP diet has proven to be a suitable option for supporting maintenance, growth, and blood pressure regulation in Dahl-SS rats.
Abstract: Standardized diets for laboratory rodents become increasingly important. Dietary imbalances can negatively impact experimental outcomes. Commercially available diets often include ingredients that cannot be experimentally manipulated and may not meet all nutritional and experimental requirements. Current growth and maintenance diets for experimenta...
Show More
Research Article
Identification of Yak Hair Scanning Electron Microscopy in Northwest China
Yilin Li*,
Ping Lin Lin,
Xiaoming Xue,
Shu Zhou
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 2, April 2025
Pages:
45-51
Received:
2 April 2025
Accepted:
15 April 2025
Published:
9 May 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.avs.20251302.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Yak (Bos grunniens) was a unique species living in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and grassland which has plateau cold climate. With excellent warm, soft, breathable features, yak hair has always been woven as raw materials for the tent by local herders. China's yak hair resources were very rich, with an annual output of yak hair up to 10,000 tons or more. Yak felt products were expensive. Criminals used the hair of other animals to impersonate yaks and made felt for sale. This behavior disturbed the order of the market and damaged the legitimate rights and interests of consumers. In order to understand the characteristics of yak hair, this paper observed and analyzed the different of yak wool fibers between Tibet and Qinghai. The fresh yak hairs of Tibet were used as the experimental group and the yak specimens of Qinghai were used as the control group. The crude fibers of Yak leg were a myelinated hair and consisted of the scale layer, the cortex and the medulla layer by SEM (scanning electron microscopy). The wear degree of coarse wool fiber at the same parts was lower than the two-type hair fiber. There were differences in the structure of scales between black and white hairs. The characteristics of yak hair were very obvious, and the microstructure differences of yak hair between different production areas were also significant. The electron microscope detection operation was simple and the results were clear. This method can be used as a rapid identification technique for identifying yak felt products.
Abstract: Yak (Bos grunniens) was a unique species living in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and grassland which has plateau cold climate. With excellent warm, soft, breathable features, yak hair has always been woven as raw materials for the tent by local herders. China's yak hair resources were very rich, with an annual output of yak hair up to 10,000 tons or mo...
Show More
