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PubMed1990

Distribution of magnesium in central nervous system tissue, trabecular and cortical bone in rats fed with unbalanced diets of minerals.

Recent epidemiological changes in patterns of foci of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the Western Pacific suggest that environmental factors play a contributory role in the pathogenic process of this disorder. In this experimental study on rats, a similar situation of dietary mineral imbalance was created as is found in the soil and drinking water of these ALS foci with a low content of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and a high content of aluminum (Al). In groups of rats fed a low Ca diet, low Ca-Mg diet, and low Ca-Mg plus high Al diet, serum Ca levels were found to be lower than those in a group fed a standard diet. Also, serum Mg levels were lower in the groups fed a low Ca-Mg diet and a low Ca-Mg plus high Al diet than in the groups fed a standard diet and only a low Ca diet. There was no significant difference in Mg content of central nervous system (CNS) tissues of groups fed unbalanced and standard diets, except for a significant decrease in Mg content of the spinal cord of rats fed a low Ca-Mg plus high Al diet. Mg content of the lumbar spine and cortical bone decreased in the unbalanced diet groups compared with that of a group fed a standard diet. These findings suggest that under the disturbed bone mineralization induced by unbalanced mineral diets, Mg may be mobilized from bone to maintain the level necessary for vital activity in soft tissues including CNS tissue.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2006

Short-term energy regulation of whitebellied sunbirds (Nectarinia talatala): effects of food concentration on feeding frequency and duration.

Avian nectarivores show compensatory feeding by adjusting their volumetric intake in response to variation in nectar concentration. This study used an infrared photo-detection system to investigate the short-term feeding patterns of whitebellied sunbirds (Nectarinia talatala) consuming three different sucrose concentrations (10, 20 and 30% w/w). Sunbirds increased their feeding frequency on the most dilute diet, but there was no change in feeding duration. Thus, the increase in total time spent feeding on the dilute diet was due to the increased feeding frequency. No difference in short-term feeding patterns was found between the 20% and 30% diets. Total time spent feeding was extremely short on all diets (96-144 s in every hour). Birds maintained the same steady increase in body mass over the course of the day on all three diets. Daily rhythms in feeding patterns were evident, with longer feeding duration and lower feeding frequency in the early morning and evening than during the rest of the day. Because ingestion rates on a particular diet may vary through the day, caution must be exercised in using feeding duration as a surrogate for meal size. Individual birds varied greatly in their feeding patterns irrespective of diet concentration.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Effect of "white diet" during bile monitoring with Bilitec 2000 on esophageal pH-metry in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

With introduction of the Bilitec 2000 device, intraluminal bile monitoring has become a standard technique for evaluation of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and symptoms of bile reflux. A specific "white diet" excluding colored food is necessary to provide correct measurements. The influence of this specific diet on simultaneous esophageal pH monitoring is unknown. Forty patients with reflux symptoms were studied prospectively. Meal times and supine and erect phases of measurement were recorded in a standardized fashion using a patient protocol. Esophageal 24-hour pH monitoring with administration of a "colorless" diet (water, milk, potatoes, fish, chicken) was started on day 1, followed by esophageal 24-hour pH-metry with intake of a normal diet on day 2. Data from the two successive pH measurements were compared. The prevalence of a pathologic esophageal pH-metry was significantly higher during intake of a normal diet compared with a colorless diet (P=0.025). During total and upright phases, administration of a white diet led to significant reduction in the percentage of time with a pH less than 4 (P </= 0.01), the total number of reflux episodes (P </= 0.001), and the DeMeester's score (P=0.01). This difference was exclusively found in patients with a normal pH-metry (group 1, n=13) and pathologic upright reflux (group 2, n=12). No change in reflux pattern was found in patients with isolated supine reflux (group 3, n=7) and combined upright and supine reflux (group 4, n=8). In patients with a pathologic upright reflux pattern, administration of a white diet results in a significant modification of esophageal pH-metry. Data derived from simultaneous esophageal pH and bile monitoring should be interpreted with care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Sonographic demonstration of malabsorption in neonates.

A new sonographic pattern is described that has been found in eight infants having syndromes associated with malabsorption. Five infants had hepatobiliary disease and three infants had transient or permanent cow-milk intolerance. In all cases, upper abdominal sonographic examinations revealed hyperechoic tubular and round masses which, most probably, represent small bowel loops filled with malabsorbed milk. Control examinations, before hepatic failure or under corrected diet, showed absence of the pattern. It is believed by the authors that in some ambiguous cases, the finding of this pattern should direct the pediatrician toward syndromes associated with malabsorption.

Bile Ducts↗
PubMed1998

Olive oil, other seasoning fats, and the risk of colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: An association between fats and colorectal carcinoma has been suggested, but the epidemiologic evidence by type of dietary fat is far less clear. Colorectal carcinoma rates have been relatively low in Mediterranean countries compared with most other Western countries, but the components of the Mediterranean diet responsible for this favorable pattern are unclear. METHODS: The relationship between various added (seasoning) fats and colorectal carcinoma risk was investigated using data from a case-control study conducted between January 1992 and June 1996 in six Italian areas. Cases were 1953 patients with incident, histologically confirmed colorectal carcinoma (1225 of the colon and 728 of the rectum) admitted to the major teaching and general hospitals in the study areas. Controls were 4154 subjects with no history of cancer who were admitted to hospitals in the same catchment areas for acute, nonneoplastic diseases unrelated to the the digestive tract and requiring no long term modifications of diet. Dietary habits were investigated using a validated food frequency questionnaire including 78 items. Lipid intake was estimated by taking into account the content of seasoning lipids in different dishes, the frequency of consumption and portion size of each dish, and individual fat intake patterns. RESULTS: The odds ratios (OR) for successive tertiles of olive oil intake, compared with the lowest one, were 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-1.01) and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.70-0.99) (chi2trend = 4.49, P = 0.03) when colorectal carcinoma was analyzed as a whole, 0.82 (95% CI, 0.68-0.98) and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.66-0.99) (chi2trend = 4.05, P = 0.04) for colon carcinoma, and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.77-1.19) and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.66-1.12) for rectal carcinoma. For specific seed oils (including sunflower, maize, peanut, and soya), the OR for colorectal carcinoma was 0.91 in the highest tertile of intake, and the corresponding values were 1.01 for mixed seed oils and 0.93 for butter. None of these estimates was significantly different from the unity. Allowance for vegetable intake attenuated the apparent protection from olive oil consumption (OR, 0.94 for colon and 0.97 for rectum for the highest tertile), which still was apparent in younger subjects (OR, 0.82 for colon and 0.69 for rectum). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, seasoning fats did not appear to increase the risk of colorectal carcinoma, and there was little evidence for a differential effect by fat type. If such a differential effect exists, it is minor and could favor olive oil.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Plasma alkaline phosphatase as a criterion for determining biological availability of phosphorus for swine.

One hundred thirty-nine pigs, with an average initial weight of 15.9 kg, were used in three trials to evaluate plasma alkaline phosphatase (AP) as a criterion for estimating available P in feedstuffs for swine. The first two trials were designed to determine the effect of adding graded levels of P (as KH2PO4) to a basal diet on the AP response pattern and degree of linear fit with time. Plasma AP increased (P less than .05) with time and, when regressed on the concentration of total P (.26 to .50%), provided the best linear fit by d 14 (r = -.996). This high degree of fit was maintained through d 21 (r = -.983). The poor correlation observed at 7 d (r = -.828) indicated that the AP pattern was not fully established, whereas departure from the close association by 28 d (r = -.913) may be related to a decline in the magnitude of P deficiency with increasing weight. In a third trial, available P was determined in high moisture corn (HMC, 24.6% moisture) using both AP and bone breaking strength (BKS) as response criteria. A standard curve was established by supplementing the basal diet (.26% P, .65% Ca) with graded levels of KH2PO4. High moisture corn was substituted for dextrose on an equal dry matter basis. Blood samples were acquired on d 14 and 21 for AP analysis and pigs were killed on d 28 for determination of metatarsal BKS. Phosphorus from HMC was determined (slope-ratio technique) to be 41.3% available using BKS as the criterion (KH2PO4, r = .961; HMC, r = .994) and 43.8% when AP at 14 d was used (KH2PO4, r = -.988; HMC, r = -.999). The data indicate that AP is a sensitive index potentially useful in P availability studies.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1982

Overeating, dietary selection patterns and sucrose intake in growing rats.

Weaning rats were allowed access to food for either 5 hours or 24 hours per day. Within each food availability condition one group had access to a complete diet and one group had access to the complete diet and a 32% solution of sucrose. Caloric intake and rates of growth were considerably higher in the 24 hour access group. The availability of sucrose led to a small (10--15%) but consistent elevation in caloric intake in the ad lib condition but did not influence growth in either food availability condition. Absolute levels of sucrose intake and the proportion of calories taken from the sucrose solution were consistently higher in the ad lib group and increased with increases in body size for both groups. Dilution of the chow component or the sucrose component of the diet did not alter dietary selection patterns in either food availability condition. It appears that access to a palatable carbohydrate solution can lead to overeating in the rat but these solutions do not induce the rat to select imbalanced diets that compromise growth.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Self-reported food intolerance in chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Although suggested, it has never been convincingly documented that food sensitivity is of pathogenetic importance in chronic inflammatory bowel disease. However, many patients may relate their gastrointestinal symptoms to specific food items ingested and may restrict their diet accordingly. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease who attended the outpatient clinic, Medical Dept., Roskilde County Hospital in Køge, Denmark, in the year 1993. The patients were asked whether they had problems with any particular food item and, if so, to describe the symptoms experienced from it. A control group of 70 healthy persons were included. RESULTS: Among 189 patients, 132 (70%) responded. One hundred and thirty had completed the questionnaire, 52 males and 78 females aged 13-89 years (median, 43 years). Fifty-three (41%) had Crohn's disease (CD), 69 (53%) ulcerative colitis (UC), and 8 (6%) unclassified colitis. Forty-one patients (31 CD, 10 UC) were-operated on; 51 (19 CD, 32 UC) had disease activity. Sixty-five per cent of the patients and 14% of the controls reported being intolerant to one or more food items (P < 0.0001). The intolerance covered a wide range of food products. The commonest symptoms among patients were diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and meteorism and among controls, regurgitation. Food intolerance was equally common in CD (66%) and UC (64%) and was not related to previous operation, disease activity or disease location. CONCLUSION: Most patients with chronic inflammatory bowel intolerance disease feel intolerant to different food items and may restrict their diet accordingly. The frequency and pattern of food intolerance did not differ between patients with CD and UC. The food intolerance was probably unspecific rather than of pathogenetic importance.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Relationship between turnover of cesium-137 and dietary potassium content in potassium-restricted mice.

The biological half-life of 137Cs and its organ distribution were investigated in mice fed various potassium-deficient diets. The biological half-life, which was 6.1 days in mice receiving the normal level of potassium, became longer as the dietary potassium content decreased, and 137Cs was hardly excreted from the body when dietary potassium content was restricted to 200 mg/kg or less. The muscle showed the highest concentration of 137Cs in both mice that had sufficient amounts of potassium and those that were potassium-deficient. Clearance of 137Cs from tissues was generally suppressed when mice were fed a potassium-deficient diet, but the relative distribution pattern of 137Cs was not affected by dietary potassium content. These results suggest that dietary potassium intake, which may vary with eating habits, affects the biological half-life of 137Cs in humans.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nutritional considerations for vegetarian athletes.

With the growing interest in the potential health benefits of plant-based diets, it is relevant to consider whether vegetarian dietary practices could influence athletic performance. Accordingly, this review examines whether nutrients that may differ between vegetarian and omnivorous diets could affect physical performance. We also describe recent studies that attempt to assess the effects of a vegetarian diet on performance and comment on other nutritional aspects of vegetarianism of relevance to athletes. Although well-controlled long-term studies assessing the effects of vegetarian diets on athletes have not been conducted, the following observations can be made: 1) well-planned, appropriately supplemented vegetarian diets appear to effectively support athletic performance; 2) provided protein intakes are adequate to meet needs for total nitrogen and the essential amino acids, plant and animal protein sources appear to provide equivalent support to athletic training and performance; 3) vegetarians (particularly women) are at increased risk for non-anemic iron deficiency, which may limit endurance performance; and 4) as a group, vegetarians have lower mean muscle creatine concentrations than do omnivores, and this may affect supramaximal exercise performance. Because their initial muscle creatine concentrations are lower, vegetarians are likely to experience greater performance increments after creatine loading in activities that rely on the adenosine triphosphate/phosphocreatine system. 5) Coaches and trainers should be aware that some athletes may adopt a vegetarian diet as a strategy for weight control. Accordingly, the possibility of a disordered eating pattern should be investigated if a vegetarian diet is accompanied by unwarranted weight loss.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Effects of calcium deficiency and calcium supplementation on gastrectomy-induced osteopenia in the young male rat.

BACKGROUND: Surgical removal of the stomach (gastrectomy, Gx) induces osteopenia. In this study we compared the osteopenic effect of Gx with that induced by calcium (Ca) deficiency. METHODS: Young male rats were subjected to Gx and/or low Ca diet (-Ca). A group of Gx rats received standard diet + oral Ca supplementation (+Ca). The rats were killed at various times after the operation/start of treatment (longest time 12 weeks). After 8 weeks on low Ca diet, the blood Ca2+ concentration was lowered slightly in both Sham-operated and Gx rats. The calvariae were subjected to transillumination analysis and quantitative histomorphometry. Also the tibiae were subjected to histomorphometry. RESULTS: Transillumination of the calvariae revealed extensive bone loss in the rats that had been subjected to Gx and/or low Ca diet. Gx + Ca induced the same bone loss as Gx alone. These observations were later confirmed in quantitative terms by histomorphometry (Sham-Ca 56%, Gx 35%, Gx + Ca 32%, Gx - Ca 58% less bone area than in Sham). The osteopenia induced by Gx + low Ca diet seetned more rapid in onset than that induced by Gx or low Ca diet alone. Tibiae from Gx rats and rats given a low Ca diet displayed a reduced trabecular bone volume (Sham-Ca 27% remaining, Gx 36%, Gx + Ca 44%, Gx - Ca 17%) and reduced trabecular number (Sham-Ca 44% remaining, Gx 41%, Gx + Ca 56%, Gx - Ca 33%). The trabecular thickness was reduced in the Gx rats and Gx - Ca rats (Gx 78% remaining, Gx - Ca 63%) but not in Sham-operated rats receiving a low Ca-diet (95% remaining). CONCLUSION: Although the pattern of osteopenia was qualitatively quite similar in Gx rats and Ca-deficient rats, in quantitative terms the low Ca diet was more detrimental to bone than Gx. Ca deficiency induced a similar degree of osteopenia in both Sham and Gx rats. Ca supplementation failed to prevent the Gx-induced osteopenia.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1987

A comparative study of serum lipoproteins in rabbits fed a natural ingredient diet or low-fat, cholesterol-free, semipurified diets containing casein or isolated soy protein.

In rabbits fed a cholesterol-free, semipurified diet containing isolated soy protein, the average total serum cholesterol level was similar to that of rabbits fed a natural ingredient (chow) diet. However, the cholesterol and protein levels in very low density (VLDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) tended to increase, while the levels in high density lipoproteins (HDL) were reduced to about half of those on the chow diet, with little change in the cholesterol to protein ratio. Substitution of casein for soy protein in the semipurified diet caused a four- to five-fold increase in total serum cholesterol and a doubling of lipoprotein protein, with an increase of 1.4- to 3.0-fold in the cholesterol to protein ratio of the different lipoprotein fractions. Analysis of the apoproteins (apo) of the plasma lipoproteins indicated that apo B, E, and C all tended to increase in the VLDL and LDL of rabbits fed the soy protein diet compared with those fed chow diet. The levels of each of the apoproteins were increased further by substituting casein for soy protein in the semipurified diet. In this case, apo E showed the greatest relative increase (2.7-fold) in VLDL, while apo B and E were increased to a similar extent (about 4-fold) in LDL. Apo C was approximately doubled in each of these fractions. The apo A content in HDL of rabbits fed the semipurified diets was about half that of rabbits fed chow diet. No marked changes were noted in the apo E or C content of HDL. Separation of isoforms of the soluble apoproteins showed variations between individual animals, but these variations seemed largely unrelated to diet. The results of these studies indicate that semipurified diets produce changes in the serum lipoprotein patterns of rabbits that are only partly due to the protein component of these diets.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

The metabolic response to hypocaloric protein diets in obese man.

Exogenous protein in the absence of other calories can cause protein-sparing, but the mechanisms involved are controversial. It has been postulated that low insulin and high fat-derived substrate levels are necessary and sufficient conditions for such protein-sparing. We therefore established such conditions with differing protocols of protein input to define the role of protein input in mediating the response. Three groups of obese, nondiabetic subjects received the following diets: (1) 82.5+/-1.0 g protein/day (400 cal/day) for 21 days, n = 7; (2) the same, but as a refeeding diet for 7 days after 21-28 days of total fasts, n = 7; and (3) commencing with the same input, but with daily stepwise decrements over 14 days to 19.4+/-2.2 g/day, then maintained an additional 7 days, n = 4. Diet 3 gave approximately the amount and pattern of protein lost during total fasting. The circulating hormone and substrate responses of diets 1 and 3 were comparable and resembled those of total fasts, in that plasma glucose and insulin fell and free fatty acids rose. Blood levels of alanine, pyruvate, and other glucogenic amino acids fell and blood levels of branched-chain amino acids rose transiently. Blood 3-hydroxybutyrate levels and urinary excretion were greater in diet 3 than diet 1, but less than in total fasting. Nitrogen balance in diet 1 was transiently negative, but in equilibrium from 12 to 21 days. In diet 3, it was constantly negative at -6 g/day, the values also observed at 21 days of fasting. Mean 3-methylhistidine excretion decreased by 170 mumol/day in diet 1 and 107 mumol/day in diet 3, reflecting decreased muscle protein catabolism. The refed, protein-depleted subjects, diet 2, showed an increase in plasma glucose without alteration in insulin levels. Free fatty acid and ketone body levels decreased to those of the steady state observed in diet 1. Glucogenic and branched-chain amino acids decreased transiently. Nitrogen balance became positive, and the low 3-methylhistidine excretion increased by 152 mumol/day. The differing responses of nitrogen balance could not be accounted for on the basis of levels of insulin or of fat-derived substrates. The primary determinants of the protein-sparing observed appeared to be the protein supply itself, and the magnitude of the decrease in endogenous protein catabolism. The positive balance on refeeding after prior depletion of protein stores was likely due to the exogenous supply, combined with decreased catabolism and considerably increased reutilization.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Age and dietary polyunsaturated fat alter high density lipoprotein subfraction cholesterol concentrations in a pediatric population of African green monkeys.

African green monkeys were raised from birth to 60 months of age on diets containing cholesterol (0.8 mg/kcal) and enriched in polyunsaturated (polyunsaturated to saturated fat ratio [P:S] = 2.5) or saturated (P:S = 0.3) fat. Lipoproteins were isolated from plasma of a group of animals (N = 123) and were separated by gel filtration chromatography at 9, 14, 26, 38, and 50 months of age, which covered a period through adolescence into young adulthood. Total plasma cholesterol (TPC) concentrations were 16% lower (p = 0.01) in the polyunsaturated fat-fed group, and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations averaged 20% lower (p = 0.008) in this group between 14 and 50 months of age, while plasma apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) averaged 7% lower (p = 0.06) over this age interval in the animals. The HDL cholesterol to apo A-I ratio was found to be significantly lower (p = 0.006) in the animals fed the polyunsaturated fat diet. This suggested that the HDL subfraction distribution might differ between groups. In a subset of animals (n = 105, 64 male and 41 female), HDL was subfractionated by density gradient ultracentrifugation into six subfractions, HDL-I to HDL-VI, from lowest to highest density. The saturated fat-fed animals had significantly higher cholesterol concentrations in HDL-I and significantly lower cholesterol concentrations in HDL-III, HDL-IV, and HDL-V. These effects held across all ages studied; therefore, these diet effects were not age dependent. In both diet groups, the HDL subfraction pattern changed with age such that the HDL-I and HDL-II cholesterol concentrations decreased, and those of HDL-IV, HDL-V, and HDL-VI increased as the animals matured. The decrease in HDL-I with age appeared to result primarily from a decrease in HDL-I in males, while the HDL-I cholesterol concentration in females did not change with age. We conclude that diet, age, and gender all affect HDL subfraction distribution and therefore can potentially modify the relative atherogenicity of the plasma HDL populations. It remains for future studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of each subfraction in promoting or preventing the cholesterol deposition of atherosclerosis.

Aging↗
PubMed2000

Short-chain fatty acids produced in vitro from fibre residues obtained from mixed diets containing different breads and in human faeces during the ingestion of the diets.

It was studied whether the type of bread (i.e. a low-fibre wheat-rye mixed bread and coarse or fine wholemeal rye bread) either as part of a diet or alone, had an influence on the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced during in vitro fermentation. Fermentation substrates were dietary fibre residues obtained from diets and breads. In addition, it was investigated whether the faecal SCFA pattern in the inoculum donors, who ingested the experimental diets, could be predicted by in vitro fermentation. Yields of SCFA in vitro were 0.51-0.62 g/g fermented polysaccharide. In vitro, the molar ratios of butyrate were higher for the two high-fibre diets containing coarse or fine wholemeal bread than for the low fibre diet containing wheat-rye mixed bread; the difference was significant for the coarse (P < 0.01), but not for the fine bread diet (P = 0.0678). The coarse wholemeal bread alone produced a higher molar ratio of butyrate than the fine wholemeal bread (P < 0.05) and the wheat-rye mixed bread (P < 0.01). Ingestion by the inoculum donors of the diets containing wholemeal bread led to higher faecal butyrate ratios (molar ratios: coarse bread diet 19.6, fine bread diet 17.7) compared with the wheat-rye mixed bread-containing diet (14.9), but the differences between the diets were not significant. For the diets investigated, there were no significant differences between faecal and in vitro SCFA patterns.

Acetates↗
PubMed1994

Meal pattern of rats during hyperphagia induced by longterm food restriction is affected by diet composition.

The influence of diet composition on feeding behavior during the hyperphagia induced by about 15% loss in body weight due to restricted feeding (5 g food/day for 7 days) was investigated in adult male rats. Rats were fed either a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet (LF diet), a medium-fat diet (MF diet) or a carbohydrate-free, high-fat diet (HF diet). The transient hyperphagia resulting from food restriction was greater in LF- and MF-rats than in HF-rats, in which a mild hypophagia was observed following the hyperphagia. Recovery of body weight was imperfect in the HF-rats in comparison to the unrestricted controls. During the hyperphagia, the meal pattern of LF- and MF-rats was mainly characterized by an increase in meal size, whereas HF-rats showed an increase in meal frequency. These observations indicate that control of food intake by body weight in LF- and MF-rats occurs mainly by modulation of the mechanisms producing meal-ending satiety, whereas in HF-rats the mechanisms eliciting meal initiation seem to be affected by body weight.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Community-level physiological profiles of cloacal microbes in songbirds (order: Passeriformes): variation due to host species, host diet, and habitat.

The relationship between microorganisms and birds has received increased attention recently. The state of knowledge of this relationship, however, is based largely on examination of sick or dead birds, and knowledge of the prevalence and community structure and function of microbes in healthy wild populations is limited. Using carbon substrate utilization profiles, microbial communities were examined in 91 cloacal samples from 14 species within apparently healthy summer and winter passerine populations. Within each season, gradient lengths and eigenvalues from ordination analyses suggested that many samples differed in their carbon substrate utilization and several had very different communities. Cloacal microbe carbon utilization profiles were distinguishable among host species, season-specific diet, and study site in the ordination analyses. However, these patterns were only observed for the analysis of the summer data set. The results of this study support the idea that the avian host's microbial community, relative to carbon substrate utilization, is related to host diet. Previously, this pattern had only been reported for potential pathogens isolated from the avian cloaca. Study site-specific patterns in the ordination analysis suggest that environmental conditions at a particular study site may influence cloacal microbial communities in birds. Results of this study indicate that examination of community-level physiological profiles may be a useful technique for distinguishing among avian cloacal samples, similar to that already established for discriminating aqueous and soil samples. Future studies that correlate microbe physiological profiles to condition-based indices of avian hosts may be most useful for eventually using the profile as an indicator of environmental conditions experienced by hosts.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Functional changes of the small intestine in over- and undernourished suckling rats support the development of obesity risk on a high-energy diet in later life.

To investigate the relationship between early nutritional experience, ontogeny of the small intestinal functions and predisposition to obesity development, the following experimental models of male Sprague-Dawley rats were used: 1) rats in which the quantity of nutrition was manipulated from birth to weaning (day 30) by adjusting the number of pups in the nest to 4 (SL), 10 (NL) and 16 pups (LL) and 2) littermates of SL, NL and LL rats fed either a standard or a hypercaloric diet from days 80 to 135 of age. The overfed SL pups were overweight after day 15 and became permanently obese, whereas the underfed smaller LL pups, due to accelerated growth and enhanced food intake from day 30 to day 35, attained a body fat level that did not differ from normally fed NL rats. Moreover, a significantly increased duodenal and jejunal alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity was found in SL and LL rats and these acquired somatic and intestinal characteristics persisted from weaning throughout life. Eight weeks of high-energy diet feeding elicited a similar pattern of intestinal response in SL and LL rats that was clearly different from NL rats. Despite energy over-consumption in these three groups, both SL and LL rats still displayed enhanced AP activity and showed a significant increase in protein/DNA ratio accompanied with a significant body fat accretion. These results indicate that the postnatally acquired small intestinal changes induced by over- and undernutrition could be involved in the similar predisposition to obesity risk in later life when caloric density of the diet is raised.

Adipose Tissue↗