Aberrant behaviours in grower pigs (e.g. tail-biting) have been shown to involve the serotonergic system and along with aggressive behaviours, to result in both significant economic losses and reduce animal welfare. Tryptophan (TRP) acts as a direct precursor to serotonin and so the objective of this study was to determine whether varying inclusion rates of dietary L-tryptophan (TRP) effect aggression, behaviour and growth in grower pigs (n=90). Three feed treatments were examined in a completely randomized block design 1) Control diet (TRP at 100% standard ileal digestible (SID) requirement), 2) TRP at 175% SID requirement and 3) TRP at 250% SID requirement. Each trial (n=2) lasted a total of 29 days, with feed and water being provided ad libitum. Sex, weight and litter origin were balanced across pens in each trial (n = 3 pens/treatment [5 pigs/pen]). All feed was weighed and feed intake measured. Pig weights were recorded weekly. Behaviour was recorded continuously 12 h/d (06:00-18:00), 3 d/wk. An ethogram of 13 mutually exclusive behaviours was used to assess behaviour and all instances of aggression were evaluated for severity and duration of fighting. Body scratch scores, tail lesions and ear lesions were also recorded (d 8, 15, 22 and 29). Plasma and serum samples were taken from 3 pigs/pen (n=27/trial) at four different time points (d 8, 15, 22 and 29) for analysis of TRP and serotonin respectively, using ELISA. Preliminary data analyses indicate no effect of diet on growth (P>0.05) and no differences in behaviour, aggression, or ear- or tail-lesions (P>0.05). ELISA results are forthcoming. Overall, data suggest L-tryptophan does not positively influence growth, behaviour or aggression in grower pigs.
Abstract Whole-grain wheat, in particular coloured varieties, may have health benefits in adults with chronic metabolic disease risk factors. Twenty-nine overweight and obese adults with chronic inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) > 1·0 mg/l) replaced four daily servings of refined grain food products with bran-enriched purple or regular whole-wheat convenience bars (approximately 41–45 g fibre, daily) for 8 weeks in a randomised, single-blind parallel-arm study where body weight was maintained. Anthropometrics, blood markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipaemia and metabolites of anthocyanins and phenolic acids were compared at days 1, 29 and 57 using repeated-measures ANOVA within groups and ANCOVA between groups at day 57, with day 1 as a covariate. A significant reduction in IL-6 and increase in adiponectin were observed within the purple wheat (PW) group. TNF- α was lowered in both groups and ferulic acid concentration increased in the regular wheat (RW) group. Comparing between wheats, only plasma TNF-α and glucose differed significantly ( P < 0·05), that is, TNF- α and glucose decreased with RW and PW, respectively. Consumption of PW or RW products showed potential to improve plasma markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in participants with evidence of chronic inflammation, with modest differences observed based on type of wheat.
Abstract Background Epidemiological studies associate consumption of whole grain foods, including breads, with reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; however, few studies have compared wheat whole grains with wheat refined grains. Methods This study investigated effects of 6-week consumption of whole grain wheat sourdough bread in comparison to white bread on fasting serum lipids in normoglycemic/normoinsulinemic (NGI; n = 14) and hyperglycemic/hyperinsulinemic (HGI; n = 14) adults. The influence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms, 3 within the APOE gene (E2, E3, E4) and 2 within the hepatic lipase gene promoter ( LIPC -514C>T, LIPC -250G>A) were considered. Results At baseline, HGI participants had significantly higher body weight, waist circumference, body fat, and fasted glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glucagon, triacylglycerols (TAG) and TAG:HDL-cholesterol, compared to NGI participants; however, none of these in addition to none of the other serum lipids, differed between bread treatments, within either participant group. For participants with the APOE E3/E3 genotype, LDL-cholesterol ( P = 0.02) increased in the NGI group (n = 7), and TAG ( P = 0.03) and TAG:HDL-cholesterol ( P = 0.04) increased in the HGI group (n = 10), following consumption of whole grain wheat sourdough compared to white bread. Conclusions In summary, 6-week consumption of whole grain wheat sourdough bread did not significantly modulate serum lipids in NGI or HGI adults; however, it significantly increased LDL-cholesterol, TAG and TAG:HDL-cholesterol in participants with the APOE E3/E3 genotype. These data add to limited literature comparing wheat whole grains to wheat refined grains on CVD risk and highlight the need to consider genetic variation in relation to lipoprotein lipid content and CVD risk.
Objectives: To estimate the economic efficiency of tight blood pressure control, with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or beta blockers, compared with less tight control in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes. Design: Cost effectiveness analysis incorporating within trial analysis and estimation of impact on life expectancy through use of the within trial hazards of reaching a defined clinical end point Use of resources driven by trial protocol and use of resources in standard clinical practice were both considered. Setting: 20 hospital based clinics in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Subjects: 1148 hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes from UK prospective diabetes study randomised to tight control of blood pressure (n = 758) or less tight control (n = 390). Main outcome measure: Cost effectiveness ratios based on (a) use of healthcare resources associated with tight control and less tight control and treatment of complications and (b) within trial time free from diabetes related end points, and life years gained. Results: Based an use of resources driven by trial protocol, the incremental cost effectiveness of tight control compared with less tight control was cost saving. Based on use of resources in standard clinical practice, incremental cost per extra year free from end points amounted to pound 1049 (costs and effects discounted at 6'% per year) and pound 434 (costs discounted at 6%, per year and effects not discounted). The incremental cost per life year gained was pound 720 (costs and effects discounted at 6% per year) and pound 291 (costs discounted at 6% per year and effects not discounted). Conclusions: Tight control of blood pressure in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes substantially reduced the cost of complications, increased the interval without complications and survival, and had a cost effectiveness ratio that compares favourably with many accepted healthcare programmes.
Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer are leading causes of death globally. The prevention and control of these diseases can be modified by both nutritional factors and human genomics. However nutritional genomics, or the interactions between diet and genome, are most essential in understanding the complexities of chronic disease development. The diet is fundamental in influencing the genome through epigenetic and transcriptional modifications; demonstrating that timing and nature of exposure to dietary factors is critical. Furthermore, sequence differences in the genome may provide susceptibility or resilience to the influence of dietary factors in disease risk; highlighting the need for improved disease screening and treatment. Among nutrients and non-nutritive compounds in the diet, phytochemicals show great potential as therapeutics and warrant further study. Although in its infancy, the field of nutritional genomics challenges traditional chronic disease strategies and modernizes human health research.
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