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A C Beynen

Publications and source records attributed to A C Beynen.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Influence of a natural-ingredient diet containing Phaseolus vulgaris on the colonization by segmented, filamentous bacteria of the small bowel of mice.

The appearance of segmented, filamentous bacteria (SFBs) in the small bowel of mice is influenced by the composition of the diet, but the dietary components responsible are not known. The addition of ground, whole Phaseolus vulgaris to a natural-ingredient diet at the expense of part of the skim milk powder, ground barley and wheat middlings components, caused an increase of the colonization of the mouse small bowel by SFBs. This effect was not seen when whole Phaseolus was added to a purified diet at the expense of part of the casein, corn oil, coconut fat, corn starch, dextrose and cellulose components. In an attempt to identify the fraction of Phaseolus that might contain SFB-inducing substances, the skin and kernel fraction of the bean were added to the natural-ingredient diet. The skin and kernel fraction were found to be as effective in inducing SFB appearance as was whole Phaseolus.

Animal Feed↗

Different degree of ileal colonization by segmented, filamentous bacteria in two strains of mice.

Segmented, filamentous bacteria (SFBs) are autochthonous, apathogenic inhabitants of the ileum of various animal species. Outbred Swiss (Cpb:SE) mice have significantly higher degrees of SFB colonization than do inbred BALB/c mice. The present studies were carried out to identify determinants of this strain difference. In a cross-fostering experiment it was shown that SFB colonization of the pups is determined by the strain of the pups themselves rather than by the strain of the nursing dam. Thus, maternal effects may not be involved in SFB colonization. In a cross-infecting experiment using germ-free and SFB-positive animals of the two mouse strains, it was found that ileal SFB colonization is determined by host characteristics rather than by origin of the SFBs. Thus, SFBs that are specific for a given mouse strain may not exist in the two strains of mice. It is concluded that the mouse strain difference in SFB colonization is determined by host characteristics, which probably have a genetic basis.

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Nutrition and magnesium absorption: a review.

This paper reviews the evidence that certain dietary components can affect intestinal absorption of magnesium. Increased intakes of protein and fructose improve apparent magnesium absorption (magnesium intake minus fecal excretion) in humans, whereas a lowering effect occurs with consumption of cellulose and phytate. Although dietary concentrations of lactose, fat, calcium and phosphate have clear effects on magnesium absorption in experiments with rats, the impact of these nutrients on magnesium absorption in humans remains unsettled. Mechanisms underlying the effects of dietary components on magnesium absorption in humans are generally poorly understood. A change in magnesium absorption not necessarily results in a change in magnesium retention. When consuming practical diets, the fall of apparent magnesium absorption caused by phytate and cellulose is generally compensated by increased magnesium intake due to high magnesium concentrations in phytate- and cellulose-rich products. Furthermore, to maintain homeostasis, urinary magnesium excretion will be raised after stimulation of apparent magnesium absorption and it will be lowered after impairment of apparent magnesium absorption. Thus, the effects of dietary components on magnesium absorption probably are critically important only at low intakes of magnesium. At low magnesium intakes, differences in magnesium absorption may be expected to influence magnesium retention and thus can either induce or abolish magnesium deficiency.

Animals↗

Evaluation of the use of serum lathosterol concentration to assess whole-body cholesterol synthesis in rabbits.

Serum lathosterol concentration in rabbits was assessed as a possible indicator of whole-body cholesterol synthesis. In random-bred New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits fed a control diet or a diet containing either cholesterol, simvastatin, or cholestyramine, neither serum lathosterol concentration nor the serum lathosterol:total cholesterol ratio systematically corresponded with the anticipated rate of cholesterol synthesis. In control rabbits and those fed simvastatin or cholestyramine, whole-body cholesterol synthesis, which was calculated from the sterol balance, was correlated with serum lathosterol concentration when expressed relative to cholesterol in very low, intermediate, and low density lipoproteins (VLDL + IDL + LDL) (r = 0.61; n = 23; P = 0.002). The low correlation coefficient indicates that the predictive value of the lathosterol: (VLDL + IDL + LDL) cholesterol ratio is limited when applied to individual rabbits. Cholesterol and simvastatin feeding reduced the group mean serum lathosterol:(VLDL + IDL + LDL) cholesterol ratio, whereas cholestyramine in the diet raised the group mean ratio in the NZW rabbits. We conclude that the serum lathosterol:(VLDL + IDL + LDL) cholesterol ratio may be an indicator of group mean rates of whole-body cholesterol synthesis in rabbits but may not yield reliable information on individual rabbits. The lathosterol:(VLDL + IDL + LDL) cholesterol ratio predicted that in hyperresponsive inbred rabbits, showing an excessive hypercholesterolemia after cholesterol feeding, baseline whole-body cholesterol synthesis is lower than in hyporesponsive rabbits. Addition of cholesterol to the diet caused a reduction of predicted cholesterol synthesis in hypo- but not in hyper-responsive rabbits.

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Nephrocalcinosis in the rat: a literature review.

Nephrocalcinosis is a common disorder in female rats. Various etiological factors are involved in the pathogenesis, e.g. sex, age, genetical and dietary factors. Dietary phosphorus concentration appears to be of crucial importance in the induction of nephrocalcinosis. The pathological changes in calcinotic kidney tissue are described. Possible mechanisms underlying nephrocalcinogenesis are discussed. Phosphorus concentration within the proximal tubule may be the major determinant of nephrocalcinogenesis.

Age Factors↗

Determination of rat plasma esterase-1 (ES-1) activity by scanning densitometry of gradient polyacrylamide gels with zymogram detection.

There is no specific assay for rat plasma esterase-1 (ES-1) activity. Plasma contains many esterases, while known substrates do not discriminate between esterases. With gel electrophoresis, plasma esterase isozymes can be separated. Thus, a method consisting of gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, visualization of the enzyme with a staining technique based on substrate conversion, and densitometric scanning of the stained gel has been developed for quantitative measurement of rat plasma ES-1 activity. ES-1 activities were expressed as total peak areas. Reproducibility of the method was found to be about 10% (expressed as apparent between-gel coefficient of variation). When the ES-1 zone areas was expressed relative to that of a plasma ES-1 standard, reproducibility was about 3%. The kinetics of catalysis of alpha-naphthyl acetate hydrolysis by ES-1 could be determined with the gel scanning assay; the Km was 0.76 mM. At the alpha-naphthyl acetate concentration of 2.69 mM, total peak areas of the ES-1 zone were linearly associated with the staining time (up to at least 40 min) and amount of plasma (up to 26.25 microL). The pH of the staining buffer influences the ES-1 zone area, the largest areas being obtained when the pH ranged between 7.0 and 7.8. With propionate as acyl moiety of the alpha-naphthyl ester substrate, ES-1 zone areas were higher than with either acetate, butyrate or hexanoate.

Animals↗

Mono-association of mice with non-cultivable, intestinal, segmented, filamentous bacteria.

A technique is described so that mice mono-associated with non-cultivable, segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB's) can be produced for the first time. As SFB donors, mice were used which had an intestinal microflora consisting of both SFB's and bacteria of the genus Clostridium. Recipients were germ-free mice. It was demonstrated that the intraileal inoculation method was more effective than the orogastric route. Therefore, intestinal homogenates of donor mice were treated with filtered ethanol, diluted and administered intraileally to recipient mice. Evidence is presented that cage mates of the recipient mice were mono-associated with SFB's. The availability of these animals, i.e. in vivo monocultures of SFB's, allows taxonomic and functional characterization of SFB's, which was as yet not possible.

Animals↗

The hypercholesterolemic effect of dietary coconut fat versus corn oil in hypo- or hyperresponsive rabbits is not exerted through influencing cholesterol absorption.

In two inbred strains of rabbits with high or low response of plasma cholesterol to dietary saturated versus polyunsaturated fatty acids, the efficiency of intestinal cholesterol absorption was measured. The feeding of a cholesterol-free purified diet containing saturated fatty acids in the form of coconut fat, when compared with a diet containing corn oil as polyunsaturated fatty acids, did not influence the efficiency of cholesterol absorption in the two rabbit strains. Irrespective of the dietary fat source, the hyperresponsive rabbits absorbed cholesterol more efficiently. It is concluded that the hypercholesterolemic effect of dietary coconut fat versus corn oil is not exerted by influencing cholesterol absorption.

Animals↗

Iron, copper, and zinc status in rats fed supplemental nickel.

Literature data concerning the effect of increasing dietary Ni concentrations on Fe, Cu, and Zn status in rats are sparse and, in part, controversial. Therefore, the effects of the addition of either 0, 3, 50, or 100 mg Ni/kg diet on Fe, Cu, and Zn status of rats were investigated in two separate experiments. Purified diets were used that were composed according to the established nutrient requirements of rats. Ni in kidney was increased with increasing Ni intakes. Dietary Ni did not significantly influence Fe concentrations in plasma, liver, kidney, femur, and spleen. Likewise, the addition of Ni to the diet did not alter Cu status. Zn concentrations in femur were significantly decreased after feeding the diets with 100 mg Ni/kg. However, Zn in plasma, liver, kidney, and spleen was not affected. It is concluded that variations in dietary Ni concentrations have no major impact on Fe, Cu, and Zn status in rats.

Animals↗

Dietary fluoride, unlike bromide or iodide, counteracts phosphorus-induced nephrocalcinosis in female rats.

Supplemental dietary F has been shown to counteract P-induced nephrocalcinosis in female rats. In order to obtain information as to the specificity of this F effect, the effect of other halogens, namely Br and I, on P-induced nephrocalcinosis was studied in weanling female rats. Supplemental dietary Br (5.24 mmol/kg of diet) and I (1.43 mmol/kg of diet) did not influence P-induced nephrocalcinosis, whereas F at equimolar dietary concentrations had marked antinephrocalcinogenic activity. The halogens were added to the diets in the form of KBr, KI, and NaF; the diets were balanced for the kations with Cl salts. The addition of KI to the diet to a concentration of 5.24 mmol/kg caused pronounced growth retardation, decreased feed intake, hepatomegaly, and signs of lethargy. It is concluded that the protective effect of dietary F against P-induced nephrocalcinosis does not extend to other halogens.

Animals↗

Dietary fluoride prevents phosphorus-induced nephrocalcinosis in female rats.

The effect of dietary fluoride (F) on nephrocalcinosis was studied in young, female rats. Nephrocalcinosis was induced by a diet rich in phosphorus (P). F in the diet effectively counteracted P-induced nephrocalcinosis in a dose-dependent fashion. The feeding of increasing amounts of F caused decreasing calcium (Ca) and F concentrations in kidney. This suggests that the amount of Ca in kidney determines F accumulation in this organ, rather than F intake. Increasing amounts of F in the diet caused increasing rates of urinary and fecal excretion and whole-body retention of F. Dietary F did not influence urinary and fecal excretion and plasma concentrations of Ca, magnesium (Mg), and P. The metabolic basis for the protective effect of F against the development of nephrocalcinosis remains to be established.

Animals↗

Lipoproteins do not influence cholesterol synthesis in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes, cautionary note.

1. Suspensions of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes were used to study the effects of native and derivatized lipoproteins on the rate of cholesterogenesis. 2. Short-term incubation of the hepatocytes with a variety of lipoproteins failed to modify the rate of cholesterol synthesis as determined by the incorporation of tritium from tritiated water into cholesterol after separation from other lipids by thin-layer chromatography. 3. Neither an increase in the cholesterol content of the particles (beta-very-low-density lipoproteins) nor derivatization of the lipoproteins (lactosylated-low-density lipoproteins or high-density lipoproteins associated with a tris-galactoside-terminated cholesterol derivative) nor cholesterol-containing liposomes were effective in this respect. 4. Whether this behaviour represents an artefact of the isolated hepatocyte preparation is unknown yet.

Animals↗

Butyrylcholinesterase activity in plasma of rats and rabbits fed high-fat diets.

1. Comparative studies with rats and rabbits were carried out to address the question as to whether the amount of dietary fat affects butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8.) activity in plasma. 2. Plasma butyrylcholinesterase activities were about 5-fold higher in rabbits than rats. 3. Ad libitum feeding of diets enriched with corn oil caused increased body weights in rabbits but not in rats 4. Plasma butyrylcholinesterase activities of rats were increased with increasing intakes of corn oil. In rabbits, such an effect could not be demonstrated conclusively. 5. Evidence is presented that in rats the substitution of dietary corn oil for isocaloric amounts of either carbohydrates or protein produces similar increases in plasma butyrylcholinesterase activity. 6. This suggests that among macronutrients the amount of fat primarily determines butyrylcholinesterase activity in the plasma of rats.

Animals↗

Influence of background composition of the diet on the lipemic effect of fish oil vs. corn oil in rats.

The lipemic effect of dietary fish oil vs. corn oil may be affected by the background composition of the diet. To investigate this theory, rats were fed diets containing either fish oil or corn oil and differing in the amount of fat and cholesterol and in the type of carbohydrate (sucrose vs. glucose) or protein (casein vs. soy protein). The hypotriglyceridemic effect of fish oil vs. corn oil was not influenced by the background composition of the diet. The hypocholesterolemic effect of fish oil was diminished by increasing the amount of coconut fat in the background diet at the expense of an isoenergetic amount of sucrose. With the use of high-cholesterol diets, no cholesterol-lowering effect of fish oil vs. corn oil was observed. This study suggests that the composition of the background diet should be considered when comparing the cholesterolemic effects of fish oil with other oils in various experiments.

Animals↗

Inhibitory effect of dietary soybean protein vs. casein on magnesium absorption in rats.

The effects of casein and soybean protein on magnesium absorption and magnesium concentration in the femur were investigated in rats. Purified diets containing either casein or soybean protein and three concentrations of added magnesium (0.82, 1.64 or 2.46 mmol/100 g diet) were used. The isonitrogenous diets were carefully balanced for the different mineral concentrations in the protein preparations. Absolute and percent magnesium absorption and urinary magnesium excretion were significantly decreased in rats fed soybean protein when compared with casein, irrespective of the dietary concentration of added magnesium. The magnesium content of femur was significantly lower in rats fed soybean protein, but this effect was seen only when the diet contained 0.82 mmol magnesium/100 g diet. The addition of sodium phytate to the casein diets, to a concentration identical to that in the diets containing soybean protein as provided by the soybean protein preparation, produced similar effects on magnesium absorption as the diets containing soybean protein. These results indicate that soybean protein, when compared with casein, decreases magnesium absorption through its phytate component.

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