magnesium-trisilicate and Body-Weight

The aim of this study was to determine the uranium distribution and histopathological changes in broiler organs (kidney, liver, and brain) and muscle after 7 days of contamination with high doses of uranyl nitrate hexahydrate (UN), and the protective efficiency of three different mineral adsorbents (organobentonite, organozeolite, and sepiolite). During the 7 days, the UN administration was 50 mg per day, and administration of adsorbents was 2 g per day immediately after UN. In control group where broilers received only UN, histopathological changes such as necrosis of intestinal villi, oedema, vacuolisation and abruption of epithelial cells in renal tubules, oedema and vacuolisation of the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, and dystrophic changes in the neurons of the medulla oblongata were observed. In contrast, when the adsorbents organobentonite, organozeolite, and sepiolite were administered, no histopathological changes were observed in liver and brain. The investigated adsorbents showed the highest protective effects in liver (80-92%), compared to the kidney (77-86%), brain (37-64%), and meat (31-63%).

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Chickens; Eating; Liver; Magnesium Silicates; Minerals; Radiation Dosage; Radiation-Protective Agents; Uranium; Uranyl Nitrate

1. Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of crude enzyme preparations (beta-glucanase and arabinoxylanase) and/or 20 g/kg Sepiolite (Exal) on the performance and nutrient digestion of broiler chickens fed on maize-barley-wheat based diets. 2. In experiment 1, enzymes improved daily bodyweight gain (by 14%; P<0.001) and food:gain ratios (8%; P<0.001). Sepiolite improved bodyweight gain on the diets not supplemented simultaneously with enzymes (by 6% in 21-d-old chickens, P<0.05) but reduced it for enzymes-supplemeented diets. Changes in productive perfiormance with both additives were associated with changes in diet digestibility and nitrogen balance. 3. In experiment 2, enzyme supplementation reduced viscosity in jejunum and ileum and the mean retention time of digesta in the gut. Sepiolite inclusion significantly reduced the viscosity of jejunum digesta and modified the retention times of digesta in the gut, depending upon whether enzymes had been added. There was a decreased retention time without enzymes but an increase with enzyme supplementation. 4. Although different mechanisms are presumed for enzymes and sepiolite, both seem to counteract the negative effects of soluble, non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in the diet by modifying jejunal viscosity and improving organic matter digestibility.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Antacids; Body Weight; Cellulase; Chickens; Dietary Supplements; Eating; Edible Grain; Feces; Kinetics; Magnesium Silicates; Male; Nutritive Value; Random Allocation; Titanium; Xylosidases

Sepiolite is an absorbent clay that is used as pet litter. It forms thin crystals, which are a transition between chain and layered silicates. Inhalation studies in animals have shown no evidence of pulmonary damage. This paper reports a cross sectional study of the total work force of the largest sepiolite production plant in the world.. Two hundred and eighteen workers (210 men and eight women) were studied. Height, age, and smoking history were recorded. Chest radiographs were read according to the International Labour Office (ILO) classification by two readers. Readings were used to construct a numerical score, which was then used in statistical analyses. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were divided by the square of the height. Casella size selective personal samplers were used in randomly selected operatives to collect dust eight years before the rest of the study was carried out. These samples were evaluated gravimetrically. Total dust samples were examined by optical and electron microscopes. Results were analysed by bivariate linear regression, chi 2 tests, and analysis of variance.. When allowance was made for smoking habit workers exposed to dry dust showed a significantly greater decline in FEV1 with age than workers with little exposure to dry dust. A similar pattern applied to FVC. Radiographic score showed deterioration with age but no clear differences from other variables. High concentrations of dust were found in the bagging department and also in the classifier shed.. The major finding was that lung function deteriorated more rapidly in those who had had more exposure to dust, but there was no evidence of any accompanying radiographic change.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Antacids; Body Height; Body Weight; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dust; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Lung; Magnesium; Magnesium Silicates; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Radiography; Silicic Acid; Smoking; Spain; Time Factors; Vital Capacity

1. A modified fluoride (F) bioassay procedure based on the method of standard additions and using chicks was tested for the determination of F availability in sepiolite. Chicks were distributed between a control group fed on a basal diet and experimental groups fed on this diet supplemented with 100, 200 or 300 mg/kg F as sodium fluoride. A further group was fed on the basal diet plus 2 g/kg sepiolite. 2. Body weight gain and food consumption during a 60 or 90 d study were similar for all treatments. 3. Ileal digestibility of F from the basal diet or from the diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg F as sodium fluoride was higher (0.907) than for chicks fed on the sepiolite diet (0.152). 4. Increases in the F contents of tibia ash were linearly related to dietary F concentration as sodium fluoride. 5. F contents of tibiae from the sepiolite group (at 60 or 90 d of age) were plotted against tibia F concentrations from groups receiving additional sodium fluoride in the diet. A weighted regression was performed. The values obtained for the relative available F from sepiolite were 0.213 and 0.150, respectively, at 60 and 90 d of age.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Body Weight; Chickens; Digestion; Eating; Fluorides; Ileum; Magnesium; Magnesium Silicates; Male; Nutritive Value; Silicic Acid; Tibia