• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1813-1821
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• 2002

The aim of this study was to identify useful secondary traits for estimating genetic ability of milk production traits. We investigated the value of using plasma metabolites concentrations. Two hundred and nineteen cattle out of 271 had only milk production traits records (G1), 33 had only metabolites records (G2), and 19 had both milk production traits and metabolites records (G3). Fifty two calves with metabolites records (G2 and G3) were born from 1992 to 1997. Forty three calves (29 females, 14 males) were used from 10 to 90 d of age and the others (3 females, 6 males) from 10 to 60 d of age. A total of 566 records of milk yield, fat yield and protein yield for 240 to 305 d on 238 heads (G1 and G2) were collected The collected blood samples were divided into three age groups: AG1, 10 to 30 d; AG2, 40 to 60 d; and AG3, 70 to 90 d. Heritabilities of milk yield, fat yield and protein yield were $0.45{\pm}0.04$, $0.50{\pm}0.04$ and $0.38{\pm}0.04$, respectively. Heritability of plasma glucose concentration at AG1 was $0.45{\pm}0.08$. Genetic correlations between plasma glucose concentration and milk yield, fat yield and protein yield were -$0.35{\pm}0.28$, $0.64{\pm}0.24$ and $0.36{\pm}0.35$, respectively. When the plasma glucose concentration at AG1 was used to estimate genetic ability of these milk production traits, reliability of milk yield of animals without milk record increased 8.2%, fat yield increased 24.2% and protein yield increased 9.5%. Heritability of plasma total cholesterol concentration at AG3 was $0.83{\pm}0.04$. Genetic correlation between plasma total cholesterol concentration and milk yield, fat yield and protein yield were $0.58{\pm}0.21$, $0.42{\pm}0.20$ and $0.45{\pm}0.22$, respectively. When the plasma total cholesterol concentration at AG3 was using to estimate genetic ability of these milk production traits, reliability of milk yield of animals without milk record increased 19.0%, fat yield increased 9.6%, and protein yield increased 13.5%. The annual genetic gain is in proportion to the reliability of selection. These results show that the plasma metabolite concentrations would be useful for improvement of genetic ability for milk production traits in the genetic improvement in herd of cows, where half of the animals selected are from a herd without its own milk record.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.976-985
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• 1995

Changes in free amino acid concentrations is blood and various tissues were evaluated in cats adapted to the low-protein diet(20% protein, LPD) or the high-protein diet(60% protein, HPD) for 5 weeks. Cumulative body weigth gain for the 5 week period was 463$\pm$43g, and -128$\pm$40g for cats fed HPD and LPD, respectively. Feeding HPD significantly increased the size of liver and kidney. Cats adapted to HPD for 5 weeks have significantly elevated plasma concrntrations of essential amino acids (branched-chain amino acides, threonine, trytophan, phenylalanine and methoionine), whereas plasma levels of non-essential amino acids(alanine, asparagine, glycine, glutamine and serine) were significantly reduced in animals adapted to HPD(p<0.01, or p<0.001) compared to the values for the cats fed LPD. Changes in free amino acid concentratioks in whole blood induced by the variations in dietary level of protein closely reflect the pattern seen in plasma. Amino acids such as branched-chain amino acids, proline and threonine were most difficult to maintain homeostasis and consistantly elevated in lever, kidney, skeletal muscle and brain, as well as in blood of cats adapted to HPD(p<0.01 or p<0.001). All of the free amino acids in jejunum, excluding taurine and ornithine, were significantly elevated in animals adapted to HPD, most probably due to the rapid absorption of large amount of amino acids across the epithelium of small intestine.

• BMB Reports
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.364-369
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• 1998

Insect plasma protein is abundant in the hemolymph of holometabolous insect larvae and is used as a source of amino acids and energy for construction of adult structures during metamorphosis. In order to understand the mechanism of decomposition of larval plasma proteins by hemocyte protease, we tried to purify a cysteine protease from the hemocyte lysate by using Carbobenzoxy-L-Phenylalanyl-L-Arginine-4-Methyl-Coumaryl-7-Amide (Z-Phe-Arg-MCA) as substrate and to identify plasma proteins that are selectively susceptible to the purified protease. Here, we describe the purification and characterization of a cysteine protease that specifically hydrolyzes the plasma protein of the coleopteran insect, Tenebrio molitor, larvae. The molecular mass of this enzyme was 25 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. The amino acids sequence of its $NH_{2}-terminus$ was determined to be Leu-Pro-Gly-Gln-Ile-Asp-Trp-Arg-Asp-Lys-Gly. This sequence contained Pro, Asp, and Arg residues, conserved in many papain superfamily enzymes. The specific cysteine protease inhibitors, such as E-64 and leupetin, inhibited its hydrolytic activity. One plasma protein with a molecular mass of 48 kDa was selectively hydrolyzed within 3 h when the purified enzyme and plasma proteins were incubated in vitro. However, the 48 kDa protein was not hydrolyzed by the purified 25 kDa protease in the presence of E-64. Western blotting analysis at various developmental stages showed that the purified enzyme was detected at larvae, pupae, and adult stages, but not the embryo stage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.501-507
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• 2010

Three hundred chicks were randomly assigned among four treatments to evaluate the effect of an organic selenium supplement at various levels of dietary protein. Two levels of supplemental selenium (0 and 0.3 mg/kg) from zinc-L-selenomethionine were tested at two levels of dietary protein (normal and reduced) in a completely randomized design with $2{\times}2$ factorial layout. The experiment lasted up to 49 d of age during which all birds were exposed to $31{\pm}1^{\circ}C$. The effects of selenium or its interaction with CP on growth performance and carcass characteristics were not significant. However, feeding the reduced-CP diet decreased weight gain in the starting period and increased liver and abdominal fat weights relative to body weight. Ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) was not significantly affected by dietary CP and Se or their interaction though FRAP values were numerically higher in the Se-supplemented group. Dietary CP content did not affect the activity of plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), though Se significantly elevated plasma GSHPx activity. The interaction of CP and Se was not significant for FRAP and plasma GSHPx activity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.699-708
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• 1994

This study aimed to verify the nutritional and curative effects of protein hydrolysate in rats with cysteamine-induced duodenal uncer. Duodenal ulcer rat model was established by intraperitoneal injections of cysteamine. Sprague-Dawley, female rats weighing approximately 200g were intraperitoneally injected twice cysteamine(13mg/100g BW) at intervals of 3h per day. This procedure was repeated 3$\times$at intervals of 3d. Animals fed on 10% casein diet for infection periods. After last injection, 4 kinds of diets(10% casein, 20% casein, 10% casein hydrolysate, 20% casein hydrolysate) were given. Gastric montility, trypsin activity in gastrointestinal content, retention rate of nitrogen, plasma total protein, albumin, amino-N, urinary urea nitrogen, creatinine and hydroxyproline were analyzed for nutritional effects of dietary nitrogen levels(10%, 20%) and sources(casein, casein hydrolysate). In duodenal ulcer rat model, there was no differences between 20% casein diet and 20% casein hydrolysate in the view of severeness of ulcer, gastric emptying rate, serum total protein, serum albumin, plasma $\alpha$-amino-N, UUN, creatinine excretion, GFR, nitrogen retention. On the other hand, rats on 10% casein hydrolysate diet group had more curative effect of the ulcer, higher plasma albumin concentration and nitrogen retention than 10% casein diet group. The casein hydrolysate diet group was lower trypsin activity in small intestinal content than the casein diet group, at both nitrogen levels(10%, 20%). The results suggest that protein hydrolysate be applied in diet therapy for the patients with gastrointestinal ulcer.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.247-253
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• 2007

Alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (${\alpha}$-TTP) is a liver cytosolic transport protein that faciliates ${\alpha}$-tocopherol (${\alpha}$-T) transfer into liver secreted plasma lipoproteins. Genetic defects in ${\alpha}$-TTP, like dietary vitamin E deficiency, are associated with infertility, muscular weakness and neurological disorders. Both human and ${\alpha}$-TTP deficient (${\alpha}-TTP^{-/-}$) mice exhibit severe plasma and tissue vitamin E deficiency that can be attenuated by sufficient dietary ${\alpha}$-T supplementations. In this review, we summarize the literature concerning studies utilizing the ${\alpha}-TTP^{-/-}$ mice. Levels of vitamin E in the ${\alpha}-TTP^{-/-}$ mice do not appear to be directly related to the amounts of dietary ${\alpha}$-T or to the levels of ${\alpha}$-TTP protein in tissues. The ${\alpha}-TTP^{-/-}$ mice appear to present a good model for investigating the specific role of ${\alpha}$-T in tissue vitamin E metabolism. Furthermore, ${\alpha}-TTP^{-/-}$ mice appear to be useful to elucidate functions of ${\alpha}$-TTP beyond its well recognized functions of transferring ${\alpha}$-T from liver to plasma lipoprotein fractions.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.601-606
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• 2019

Arginine methylation plays crucial roles in many cellular functions including signal transduction, RNA transcription, and regulation of gene expression. Protein arginine methyltransferase 8 (PRMT8), a unique brain-specific protein, is localized to the plasma membrane. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying PRMT8 plasma membrane targeting remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the N-terminal 20 amino acids of PRMT8 are sufficient for plasma membrane localization and that oligomerization enhances membrane localization. The basic amino acids, combined with myristoylation within the N-terminal 20 amino acids of PRMT8, are critical for plasma membrane targeting. We also found that substituting Gly-2 with Ala [PRMT8(G2A)] or Cys-9 with Ser [PRMT8(C9S)] induces the formation of punctate structures in the cytosol or patch-like plasma membrane localization, respectively. Impairment of PRMT8 oligomerization/dimerization by C-terminal deletion induces PRMT8 mis-localization to the mitochondria, prevents the formation of punctate structures by PRMT8(G2A), and inhibits PRMT8(C9S) patch-like plasma membrane localization. Overall, these results suggest that oligomerization/dimerization plays several roles in inducing the efficient and specific plasma membrane localization of PRMT8.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.112-116
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• 2006

This study investigated the effect of physical training on the utilization and recuperation of stored fuel with exercise in rats. For physical training, animals were exercised on treadmill for 30 minutes everyday. Forty eight rats were given either a physical training or no training for 4 weeks and were then subdivided into 3 groups: before-exercise (BE); during-exercise (DE); after-exercise (AE). The DE group was exercised on treadmill for 1 hour just before being sacrificed Animals in the AE group were allowed to take a rest for 2 hours after being exercised like the DE group. Glucose and free fatty acids were compared in plasma. Glycogen and triglycerides were compared in liver and skeletal muscle. Protein were compared in plasma, liver and skeletal muscle of rats. Plasma glucose levels of trained group were not significantly different from those of non-trained group. Muscle glycogen levels of trained group were significantly higher than those of non-trained group. Liver glycogen level of trained group was also significantly higher than that of non-trained group in DE while was not significantly different from those of non-trained group in BE and AF. Plasma free fatty acid levels of trained group were significantly higher than those of non-trained group in BE and AE. Muscle triglyceride levels of trained group tended to be higher than those of non-trained group in BE and DE and significantly higher than those of non-trained group in AF. Plasma and muscle protein levels of trained group were not significantly different from those of non-trained group. liver protein levels of trained group were not significantly different from those of non-trained group in BE and DE but were significantly higher than that of non-trained group in AE. Thus, it is suggested that an even moderate physical training may delay the onset of fatigue and improve exercise performance by facilitating the mobilization and oxidation of fat and conserving limited carbohydrate store.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 1995

To examine whether colostral growth factors are transferred to the general circulation, concentrations of plasma cortisol, insulin, prolactin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factors(IGFs) -I and -II, IGF-binding proteins(IGFBPs) and total protein were measured in newborn calves fed colostrums, milk of milk replacer before and after feeding at 12 h intervals during the first two days after birth. Plasma protein concentrations increased with time after than in milk- or milk replacer-fed calves. The mean protein concentration was greater in colostrum-fed than in milk- or milk replacer-fed calves. Plasma cortisol levels transiently declined after each feeding regardless of the type of diet, while insulin levels tended to increase. Mean concentrations of these hormones did not differ between dietary groups, nor did they change with time after birth. Plasma concentrations of prolactin and growth hormone did not differ between dietary groups and also did not change with time after birth or after feeding. Concentrations of IGF-I and IGF-II transiently increased at the second feeding period, but these, as well as plasma IGFBP profiles, were not different between groups or before and after feeding. Results did not indicate significant transfer of colostral growth factors across the newborn ruminant small intestine.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.368-378
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• 2001

This study was performed to investigate the effects of isolated soyprotein and salt (NaCl) restriction on the serum lipid and the kidney functions of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley males of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were raised for 6 weeds divided into 4 groups each according to protein sources and salt levels. The sources of protein were isolated soyprotein and casein. Salt levels tested were 0.1% (normal) and 0.01% (low). The results are summarized as fellows: kidney weight, blood glucose, hemoglobinAlc, GFR and urinary protein of diabetic groups were higher than those of normal groups. Isolated soyprotein lowered total lipids, triglycerides, and total cholesterol in serum and plasma angiotensin II concentration as well as alleviated kidney enlargement and GFR in diabetic rats. Salt restriction didn\\`t affect serum lipid level but decreased GFR and increased angiotensin If concentration. In conclusion, isolated soyprotein decreased serum lipids, plasma angiotensin II concentration, sidney enlargement and GFR, while salt restriction increased plasma angiotensin II concentration. The results suggest that isolated soyprotein and salt restriction seem to cause different effects on plasma angiotensin II concentration and that isolated soyprotein might be of value in the prevention of diabetic artherosclerosis and diabetic hypertension.