Content: Chamois leathers are basically oil tanned leathers, usually requires 10 to 15 days to process from raw skins. In chamois making, air oxidation plays a major role, free radicals initiate the oxidation process in oil, which oxidizes the double bond of the fatty acid and then the oxidized oil interacts with collagen to stabilize the skin by coating the fibers (Fig 1). In the present study an attempt has been made to reduce the time for chamois leather processing. A common oxidizing agent (Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) was utilized to enhance the oxidation of oil and reduce the time duration. It has been observed that the oxidation of oil in the presence of benzoyl peroxide has significantly reduced the duration of process from 15 to 4 days. Strength properties such as tensile, percentage elongation and organoleptic properties were found to be on par with control leather. The water absorption values of the experimental leathers improved by 1-26 %, compared with control leather. Microscopic analysis (SEM) was employed to study the fiber alignment of the chamois leathers. Take-Away: 1. Time reduction in chamois leather processing 2. Inexpensive and common oxidising agents were employed 3.Improved water absorption of chamois leather

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, affects nearly 25 million Americans. The vast majority of these patients suffer from exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), a complication of asthma. Although traditionally treated pharmacologically, nutritional strategies provide a promising alternative for managing EIB as the prevalence of asthma may be due in part to changes in diet. Our objective was to determine the effects of novel nutritional strategies on hyperpnea-induced bronchoconstriction (HIB) in asthmatic individuals. HIB uses rapid breathing to identify EIB in a research or clinical setting. Fish oil, a combination of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docsahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been shown to be effective in suppressing EIB. However, its use in combination with other nutritional supplements, the optimal fish oil formula, and its effect on smooth muscle contractility have not been fully explored. An in vivo study (study 1) was conducted in individuals with both asthma and HIB to determine whether a combination of fish oil and vitamin C was more effective than either one alone in alleviating HIB. Pulmonary function was significantly improved with both fish oil and the combination treatment but not with vitamin C alone. In study 2, individuals with both asthma and HIB were supplemented with DHA alone since the optimal formula for fish oil has yet to be ascertained; previous in vitro studies have suggested DHA may be the more potent omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil. However, no significant changes in pulmonary function or airway inflammation were seen with DHA supplementation. For study 3, canine airway smooth muscle tissue was treated with fish oil to determine the in vitro effect of fish oil on smooth muscle contractility. Acute treatment with fish oil relaxed smooth muscle strips that had been contracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine. These minor relaxations in smooth muscle tension with fish oil may represent significant changes at the level of the smaller airways. These studies have confirmed that fish oil represents a viable treatment modality for asthmatic individuals with EIB and suggest that fish oil may influence airway smooth muscle contractility.

No description available.

No description available.

Resistance exercise training (RET) and protein supplementation are potent nonpharmacological countermeasures against sarcopenic muscle and strength loss, however other exercise modalities and isolated nutritional supplements are effective in combating additional deleterious age-related changes, such as reduced cardiometabolic health. Accordingly, in Study 1 we assessed the 48-hour integrated muscle protein synthesis (MPS) response to a single session of RE, aerobic exercise, or high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) in a group of healthy older men using the novel heavy water method. The results of Study 1 indicated that both RE and HIIE were capable of significantly elevating myofibrillar MPS above resting rates, with the most substantial effect observed following RE. In Studies 2 and 3 we evaluated whether daily consumption of a nutritional supplement which comprised whey protein, creatine, vitamin D/calcium, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could: augment strength, physical function, and lean tissue mass (Study 2), and also improve glycemic control, lipidemia, and systemic inflammation (Study 3) in healthy older men following 6 weeks of supplementation in the absence of exercise; and enhance exercise training-induced improvements in the same outcomes following a 12-week RET + HIIT program. Six weeks of multi-ingredient nutritional supplementation stimulated gains in strength (~6%) and lean mass (~1%), roughly equivalent to one year's worth of age-related decline, as well as reduced circulating concentrations of lipids and inflammatory markers. Twelve weeks of combined RET + HIIT simultaneously improved strength, aerobic fitness, and glucose handling in the same group of older men. Further improvements in systemic inflammation and glucose handling were observed when multi-ingredient nutritional supplementation was combined with exercise training. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that multiple exercise modalities and nutritional supplements can be employed concurrently to alleviate various aspects age-related physiological decline. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Aging is associated with a variety of deleterious physiological changes including loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, reduced aerobic fitness, dyslipidemia, impaired glycemic control, and increased systemic inflammation. Broadly, this thesis explores how multiple exercise modalities and nutritional supplements can be used in combination to simultaneously alleviate several of these negative aspects of aging. This series of studies demonstrates that, in older men, consumption of a multi-ingredient nutritional supplement containing whey protein, creatine, vitamin D, calcium, and fish oil: A) stimulates significant improvements in lean mass, strength, plasma lipids, and systemic inflammation over a relatively short period of time (6 weeks) in the absence of exercise training; and B) enhances exercise training-induced gains in strength and glycemic control, as well as reductions in systemic inflammation. The findings of this thesis challenge the relatively common practice of targeting individual facets of aging with singular exercise or nutrition interventions.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 PUFAs) provide important health benefits, but dietary consumption is low. Supplementing foods with ω3 PUFAs is of interest, but intervention strategies are necessary to preserve the integrity of these unstable compounds. Microencapsulation of ω3 PUFA sources is one means of improving their stability. In this work, ω3 PUFA microcapsules were prepared by spray drying with chitosan and blends of chitosan, high-amylose starch, and pullulan as wall materials. The primary objectives of this research were (1) to evaluate the effect of chitosan type and oil:wall ratio on ω3 PUFA microcapsule properties, (2) to evaluate the effect of blending chitosan with high-amylose starch and pullulan on ω3 PUFA microcapsule properties, and (3) to evaluate the oxidative stability of ω3 PUFA microcapsules by monitoring primary and secondary oxidation products during storage. Microcapsule encapsulation efficiencies (EE) ranged from 63% to 79% with the highest EEs observed for microcapsules prepared from chitosan with higher degree of deacetylation (DD) and lower molecular weight (MW). Median microcapsule size ranged from 3 μm to 11 μm. Moisture contents were all below 7% and water activities (a_w) were below 0.27. Microcapsules prepared from blends of chitosan with starch and/or pullulan had lower aw values than those prepared from chitosan alone. Oxidative stability was evaluated by measuring oxidation induction time (OIT) using pressure differential scanning calorimetry. OIT values ranged from 14 to 20 minutes. Microcapsules prepared from chitosan with lower DD and higher MW had longer OITs than those prepared from chitosan with higher DD and lower MW. Microcapsules prepared from blends of chitosan, starch, and pullulan had longer OITs than those prepared from chitosan alone. Oxidative stability of microcapsules during long term storage was evaluated on one microcapsule formulation by monitoring peroxide value (PV) and secondary oxidation products by HS-SPMEGC/ MS. Volatiles including propanal, 1-penten-3-ol, pentanal, hexanal, and 2,4-heptadienal were detected in the headspace of the microcapsules; however, PVs did not indicate substantial oxidation of the ω3-PUFA source during 5 weeks of storage. Chitosan, high-amylose starch, and pullulan are effective materials for microencapsulation of ω3 PUFA sources. / Ph. D.

During preliminary research on cobia (Rachycentron canadum, L.) it became increasingly clear that more in-depth information was required to provide enabling techniques for the cobia aquaculture industry to develop more rapidly. A unifying theme in many of the more important issues facing cobia aquaculture is nutrition. This led to nutritional investigations with larval and juvenile fish highlighting the impacts of dietary ingredients on animal performance. Indeed, nutrition can be viewed as a central lever of action through which many aspects of the physiology and the environmental (water) quality of the animal can be controlled. The first project focused on studying the larval development of cobia, a fish species highly suitable for aquaculture for which the industry is nascent. I described the time-course of development of external sensory organs, gut morphology and relevant digestive enzymes under controlled conditions using electron microscopy, histology and spectrophotometric assays. The developmental sequence of larval cobia could be separated in two phases, with a transition period between 12 and 14 days post hatch (dph). This transition is characterized by the formation of the intestinal loop, the establishment of basic cranial neuromast configuration, leading to the initiation of the onset of pancreatic enzymes and the increase of growth rate. In addition, the effects of dietary taurine supplementation and incorporation of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) into live feeds on cobia larvae development was examined. Fish fed supplementary MOS did not grow faster but displayed higher microvilli length and density. In addition, MOS-fed fish were more resistant to salinity stress. The dietary supplementation of taurine resulted in a dramatic increase in survival, growth and development rates, and enzymatic activities. The second project aimed at refining cobia juvenile nutrition, assessing fish meal and fish oil replacements. Novel sources, including soy protein and oil, were investigated with and without amino acid and MOS supplementations, yielding promising results. Indeed, both fish meal and fish oil were replaced completely and successfully in feeds for juvenile cobia. In addition, novel ingredients (e.g. marine algae meals and soy protein concentrate) were identified to effectively achieve such replacement. The third and last project dealt with nutrient-gene interactions, specifically centering attention on immunostimulants for which the underlying mechanisms of action remain poorly characterized. Here, dietary MOS, nucleotides and selenomethionine (Se-met) were offered to zebrafish whose transcriptome was analyzed by microarray. The immune system, humoral or cellular, innate or adaptive, exhibited different patterns of response according to the immunostimulating nutrient used. In addition, various genes involved in cell cycle and cytokinesis were concomitantly expressed. An intriguing observation related to the insulinomimetic effect of Se-met. In other words, Se-met impacted pathways normally regulated by insulin, such as the MAPK and PI3K pathways. Some Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGF) and IGF bindgin proteins were up-regulated. Additional research is however necessary prior to advocating for the use of these additives, in order to further investigate their respective pros and cons. / Ph. D.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Joann M. Kouba / The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive effects of supplementing normally cycling mares with marine-derived omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids during the estrous cycle. Fifteen mares were assigned to a control diet (CONT, n=7) or a fish oil supplemented diet (FO, n=8) containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The FO mares received 18.48 g EPA/10.08 g DHA/mare/d. At the start of the trial, mares were synchronized using a progesterone and estradiol protocol. Following synchronization, mares were monitored with transrectal ultrasonography throughout the second estrous cycle. Ovarian activity, ovulation, and presence of a corpus luteum were noted. Mares were ultrasounded throughout the third estrous cycle until a 35 mm follicle was detected. Upon detection of the 35 mm follicle, hCG was administered. Within 16 hr, transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration (TUGA) was performed on the preovulatory follicle, signifying the end of the trial. Follicular fluid was analyzed for fatty acid and hormone concentrations. Serum fatty acids were measured every 2 wk and serum hormone concentrations were analyzed during the second estrous cycle at 5 d to 1 d prior to ovulation, at ovulation, and 3 and 5 d post-ovulation. Samples were also collected prior to hCG administration and on aspiration day for hormone analysis. Serum estradiol-17β, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were measured. Fish oil supplementation increased (P < 0.01) arachidonic acid (ARA), EPA, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and DHA in mare serum and increased (P<0.01) EPA, DPA, and DHA in follicular fluid. No overall treatment effect was found on serum hormone concentrations during the second estrous cycle, but a decrease (P<0.05) in IGF-1 was noted in the FO group on aspiration day. Concentrations of IGF-1 were also lower (P<0.05) in follicular fluid in the FO group compared to controls. No other follicular fluid differences were observed. Supplementation resulted in a smaller diameter follicle (P<0.05, 38.0 ± 0.47 mm) on aspiration day than the CONT group (39.5 ± 0.5 mm). Dietary n-3 fatty acids modify mare serum and follicular fluid fatty acid profiles, with supplementation of EPA and DHA decreasing serum and follicular IGF-1 concentrations.

This series of studies began with an examination of the effects of training status (Tr vs UTr) and sex on the resting levels and redistribution of senescent (CD28-CD57+) and naïve (CD28+CD57-) T-lymphocytes (CD4+, CD8+) following a treadmill test to volitional exhaustion. In this first study exercise elicited a redistribution of senescent CD4+, CD8+ and naïve CD4+,CD8+ T-lymphocytes. UTr had a higher proportion of senescent and a lower proportion of naïve CD8+ T-lymphocytes than Tr. Males had a higher proportion of senescent and lower proportion of naïve T-lymphocytes than females with the highest percentage of senescent and lowest percentage of naïve T-lymphocytes observed in UTr males. CMV was a covariate in the senescent and naïve CD8+ T-lymphocytes. This study highlighted important sex and training status differences in the senescent and naïve T-lymphocyte redistribution in response to exercise. These findings led on to an investigation of the T-lymphocyte (CD4+, CD8+, γδ+) response to a period of 2 weeks increased volume training (39% increase in volume) in trained females (Tr, n=13) compared to a period of 2 weeks habitual activity in female controls (UTr, n=13). This second study observed no difference in the resting T-lymphocyte profile from the pre to post increased volume training period. The resting number of CD3+ and proportion of γδ+ T-lymphocytes was greater in the Tr compared to the UTr. The resting proportion of CD4+T-lymphocytes and the CD4+:CD8+ ratio was greater in the UTr compared to the Tr. CMV was a covariate in the analysis of CD8+, CD28+ CD8+, and naïve CD8+ T-lymphocyte cell numbers but not in the analysis of T-lymphocyte proportions. The increased volume training period had no effect on resting T-lymphocyte populations in Tr females, and T-lymphocyte populations also did not change with 2 weeks of habitual exercise in UTr. The total energy, carbohydrate and protein intake was greater in Tr compared to the UTr during the increased volume training period and was greater than normal in the Tr group. These dietary influences may partly explain the absence of any change in T-lymphocyte proportions pre to post training period in Tr. Differences in the proportions of γδ+, CD4+ and the ratio of CD4+:CD8+ T-lymphocytes at rest between the Tr and UTr warrants further investigation. The final study of this series is presented in two parts. The first part focused on the influence of 4 weeks supplementation at 0.1g/kg body mass/day with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as fish oil (FO, n=10), or short-chain saturated fatty acids (SFA) as coconut oil (CO, n=10) on T-lymphocyte (CD4+,CD8+, γδ+) differentiated populations at rest and in response to exercise in trained males. Changes were examined by Day (Baseline to pre supplementation, Pre Sup (4 week control period), and pre supplementation to post supplementation, Post Sup (4 week supplementation period)). During a 4 week baseline control period no changes were observed in the blood lipid profile in both FO and CO groups. During the control period a main effect of exercise was observed in all the CD3+ and γδ+ T-lymphocytes subsets. During the control period an interaction of group-by-day was observed in the senescent CD8+ T-lymphocytes from BL to Pre Sup the proportion and number decreased in the FO group and increased in the CO group. Inclusion of CMV as a covariate introduced a main effect of group on the CD4+ naïve proportions and cell counts and the group-by-day interaction observed on the CD8+ senescent T-lymphocyte proportions and cell counts disappeared. During the 4 week supplementation period this study observed an increase in the n-3 PUFAs, EPA (20:5n-3), DHA (22:6n-3) and DPA (22:5n-3) in the FO group but not in the CO group (with no changes in blood lipid profile on CO). During the supplementation period a main effect of exercise was observed in all the CD3+ and γδ+ T-lymphocyte subsets except for the proportion of CD8+ naïve T-lymphocytes. The proportion of CD8+ naïve T-lymphocytes was lower at rest and in response to exercise in FO and CO groups after supplementation. CMV was a significant covariate in senescent CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell counts. At the post exercise time point the γδ+ T-lymphocyte count increased in the FO group but decreased in the CO group, following the supplementation period. However, this observation did not quite reach statistical significance. Although a difference between the groups was evident for γδ+ T-lymphocyte count and proportion there was insufficient evidence to conclude whether the difference was supplement related. It would appear that dose, duration and type of fatty acids ingested could all be important in the overall response but these require further study. The second part of this final study investigated the influence of 4 week supplementation at 0.1g/kg body mass/day with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as fish oil (FO, n=10) or short-chain saturated fatty acids (SFA) as coconut oil (CO, n=10) on plasma Th1 cytokine: IL-2, TNF- α and IFN-γ, and Th2 cytokine IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations, and expression of the T-lymphocyte activation marker CD69 at rest and in response to exercise in trained males. Changes were examined by Day (Baseline to pre supplementation (4 week control period), and pre supplementation to post supplementation (4 week supplementation period)). This study observed an increase in n-3 PUFAs, EPA (20:5n-3), DHA (22:6n-3) and DPA (22:5n-3) in the FO group but not in the CO group. There was a significant mobilisation of activated CD4+ CD69+ and CD8+ CD69+ (P<0.05) T-lymphocyte numbers in response to exercise in both FO and CO groups. CMV infection was a significant covariate on the number and proportion of CD4+CD69+ T-lymphocytes (P<0.05) but not on the number or proportion of CD8+CD69+ T-lymphocytes. During the supplementation period there was a significant effect of Day on TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-2 with IFN-γ and IL-10 trending towards a difference. The plasma cytokine concentration was greater at post supplementation compared to pre supplementation for both FO and CO groups. Latent CMV infection was a significant covariate for TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-10. In the current study we observed no evidence of a difference between the CO and FO groups for early T-lymphocyte activation marker or plasma cytokine concentrations despite the membrane lipid composition change over the 4 week supplementation period. It would appear that the plasma Th1 and Th2 cytokine concentration increased from pre supplementation to post supplementation on both PUFA and SFA, highlighting a potential link between fatty acid incorporation and cytokine expression that needs closer examination. The results of this series of studies highlight that sex and training status impact upon the T-lymphocyte pool at rest and in response to exercise. Increasing the volume of training for 2 weeks without dietary restriction does not alter the resting T-lymphocyte pool in trained females. Alterations to the T-lymphocyte pool at rest and in response to exercise are not related to FO or CO supplementation. Furthermore, the response of Th1, Th2 plasma cytokines, and the early activation marker CD69 at rest and in response to exercise does not differ between a group supplemented with FO compared to a group supplemented with CO it would appear that Th1 and Th2 plasma cytokines increase post supplementation in both groups. Particular avenues of interest for future research would be, to explore the sex differences in T-lymphocyte subsets at rest and in response to exercise, to determine whether these sex differences are key in susceptibility to disease/infection and to determine the tissue targets of lymphocytes mobilised during exercise.

Background: Unfavorable outcomes following periodontal surgeries can be attributed to impaired resolution mechanisms likely due to decreased levels of specialized pro-resolution molecules (SPM). The current study investigates if SPM substrate pools in platelet-rich plasma preparations (PRP) can be increased by essential fatty acid (EFA) and / or aspirin supplementation. Methods: Nineteen healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to take i) aspirin; ii) EFA; iii) aspirin and EFA. Four hours after intake, the lipid precursor pools in PRP were quantified using combined Liquid Chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and the data statistically analyzed using ANCOVA. Results: Of the 77 metabolites screened, only FFA (18:3) showed a significant interaction effect (p=0.019). By itself, neither EFA (p>0.9) nor aspirin (p>0.4) showed any difference (P>0.4). Multiple comparisons could not identify the differences between groups. Conclusions: There is inadequate data to support oral supplementation of EFA and /or aspirin to increase SPM levels in PRP.