Bovine mastitis is a major disease affecting dairy cattle worldwide. The milk collected from cows with different type of inflammation, including mastitis, is characterized by an increased number of somatic cells (SCC), especially polymorphonuclear cells (PMN). It was proved that the antibacterial activity of PMN generates reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide-derived metabolites. The accumulation of the reactive species correlating with a decrease in the antioxidant activity specific for milk can lead to oxidative and nitrosative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant/oxidant status in normal cow's milk and in subclinical mastitis milk using three parameters: total antioxidant status (TAS); levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) -a degradation product of lipid peroxidation; and levels of proteins oxidation expressed as carbonylated proteins analyzed in the reaction with dinitrophenilhydrazine (DNPH). Subclinical mastitis was diagnosed using an electrical conductivity method and by determining the number of SCC in milk. Comparative analysis of TAS in normal and mastitis milk revealed extremely significant differences (P = 0.0005), the average of this parameter was lower for mastitis milk samples. The results describing the antioxidant status were correlated with those on lipid and protein oxidative degradation. The average level of MDA in mastitis milk was higher compared with normal milk, the mean difference was 40.69 nmol/ml. A similar variation was observed for DNPH, the mean difference was 191.24 µmol/ml. The levels of SCC, MDA, and DNPH were significantly higher in subclinical mastitis milk compared to milk from healthy cows due to the occurrence of oxidative stress state in subclinically inflamed mammary gland.

Environmental iodine deficiency continues to be a significant public health problem worldwide. On the other hand, iodide excess results principally from the use of iodine-containing medicinal preparations or radiographic contrast media. For this reason we intended to explore iodide excess impairment on prooxidant/antioxidant balance of the thyroid gland, hepatic tissue and in blood and the effect of selenium administration on oxidative stress markers under the same circumstances. Experiments were performed for 10 days with white, male, Wistar rats, as follows: group 1: control-normal iodine supply group; 2: high iodine diet, group; 3: high iodine diet and selenium; group 4: high iodine diet and Carbimasole. Oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxides were determined in thyroid gland, hepatic tissue and in blood. Measuring H+ donor ability of the sera and catalase activity in thyroid gland and in hepatic tissue assessed antioxidant defense. Iodide excess had prooxidant effects, leading to an increased lipid peroxides level and catalase activity in target tissues and in blood and to a decreased H+ donor ability of the sera. Selenium supplementation had opposite effects. Present data allow us to conclude that the alterations due to iodide excess in thyroid gland, hepatic tissue and in blood are mediated through oxidative stress.

ABSTRACT:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with hemp seed oil (HSO) on the lipid metabolism, through the plasma lipid profile, liver function and concentrations of fatty acids (FA), cholesterol, and vitamin A in goat milk. Ten Carpathian goats were divided into two groups: one was fed the control diet (C) composed of alfalfa hay and concentrate, and the other was fed C diet supplemented with 93 g/day of HSO (4.7% of dry matter intake) for 31 days. The HSO supplementation did not modify plasma cholesterol, triglyceride or phospholipid concentrations, or the activities of alanine aminotransferase or γ-glutamyltransferase, but plasma total lipid concentration was increased. HSO supplementation had no effect on milk yield, but it increased milk fat and protein contents. HSO supplementation markedly altered milk FA composition, but had no effect on milk cholesterol or vitamin A concentrations. Changes in milk FA composition corresponded to a decrease in saturated de novo synthesized FA (10:0-16:0) and an increase in 4:0, 18:0, and polyunsaturated FA concentrations. Also, HSO supplementation strongly increased cis-9,trans-11-CLA and also trans-18:1 concentrations in milk fat. These findings suggest that HSO can be used to modify milk FA content with a putative positive effect on human health, without adversely affecting goat performance or health, except for a potential hyperlipidemic effect.

The worldwide consumption of blueberries has increased due to their potential health effects. They contain micronutrients, various phytochemicals and anti-oxidant pigments, represented especially by anthocyanins. In addition to these, carotenoids and fatty acids are also present. The aim of this study was the identification and quantification of carotenoids (by HPLC) and fatty acids (by GC with flame ionisation detection) in two bilberry genotypes (Wild 1 and 2) and three cultivars (BlueCrop, Elliot, and Duke). The main carotenoids identified were lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene, with the average total carotenoid content of 266 μg per 100 g of fruit. The ratio of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was 0.098 for Wild 1 and 0.11 for Wild 2 genotypes and ranged from 0.14 to 0.28 for cultivars. The main fatty acids identified were linoleic (18:2) and linolenic (18:3) acids in all the samples analysed. In Vaccinium myrtillus the amount of carotenoids and fatty acids was higher than in Vaccinium corymbosum species.

The total oil content and composition of fatty acids and phytosterols of five Transylvanian (Romania) pomaces of wild and cultivated blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus), wild cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and raspberry (Rubus idaeus), and cultivated black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), were determined by capillary gas chromatography. Out of the five pomace oils, the percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ranged from 37 % to 69 %. The lipid classes analysed (PLs — polar lipids, TGs — triacylglycerols, SEs — sterol esters) were separated and identified using thin-layer chromatography. TGs showed the highest PUFAs content (ranging from 41.9 % to 72.5 %) and PUFAs/SFAs (saturated fatty acids) ratios (in the range of 5.8–33.1 %). In the case of PL and SE fractions, the levels of SFA were significantly higher than in TGs. The total amount of sterols was in the range of 101.6–168.2 mg per 100 g of lipids of the pomaces analysed. The predominant phytosterols were β-sitosterol, stigmastanol + isofucosterol, and campesterol. The results indicated that the investigated pomace oils, due to their good balance between n-6 and n-3 fatty acids (except for chokeberry) and high β-sitosterol content, could be excellent sources of PUFAs and phytosterols, thus suggesting potential value-added utilisation of berry waste oils for preparing functional foods or food supplements.