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Biomedical subjects

G O Kohler

Publications and source records attributed to G O Kohler.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparative effects of alfalfa saponins and alfalfa fiber on cholesterol absorption in rats.

Intestinal absorption of cholesterol was measured in control rats fed semipurified diets and in rats fed alfalfa meal, in which saponins had been previously extracted, or this extracted material plus alfalfa saponins. A dose of 2 mg radioactive cholesterol was administered intragastrically, and fecal excretion of labeled neutral steroids measured. Absorption of cholesterol was about 76% in control animals, and about 47% in alfalfa-red rats. Extraction of saponins from alfalfa eliminated the cholesterol absorption-lowering effect, while addition of 0.26% alfalfa saponins to the extracted alfalfa restored its activity. The results demonstrate that alfalfa saponins are responsible for the effect of alfalfa meal in reducing cholesterol absorption, and that alfalfa fiber is not involved in this activity.

Animals

Processing and use of crop residues including alfalfa press cake.

Better utilization of roughage can improve the production of red meat and dairy products. Feed value of low grade roughages can be greatly increased by chemical and/or physical treatments. Both alkali and ammonia treatments are already being used commercially in Europe, although there is still opportunity for process improvement. In the United States, the low cost of grain and oilseeds makes the economics of processing cellulosic byproducts less desirable, but their eventual use seems inevitable. New processes for forage fractionation are yielding surprising increases in the fiber digestibility of high grade roughages, resulting in substantial increases in the overall feed value obtainable per ton of raw material. The improved economic returns achieved by the new processes will speed adoption of the new technology.

Ammonia

Effect of alfalfa saponins on intestinal cholesterol absorption in rats.

Five to 20 mg of saponins obtained from alfalfa tops or roots were introduced intragastrically in rats also receiving oral and intravenous ring-labeled cholesterol. The saponins were tested before and after partial acid hydrolysis. Absorption of cholesterol was determined by estimation of fecal sterols and by a dual isotope technique involving assay of plasma radioactivity. Alfalfa top saponins (nonhydrolyzed) reduced absorption of cholesterol. Acid hydrolysis of alfalfa top or root saponins enhanced their ability to inhibit cholesterol absorption.

Animals

Availability of oxidized sulfur amino acids for the growing chick.

In four trials, experimental diets were fed to one week old broiler cockerels for a period of 14 days to compare the availability of oxidized sulfur amino acids to DL-methionine on an equimolar basis. The data were analyzed by the slope-ratio technique. Chick weight gain per unit feed consumed was the dependent variable and dietary level of supplemental amino acid was the independent variable. There was no significant (P=.05) differences in availability of DL-, L-, and D-methionine. D-, DL-, and L-methionine sulfoxide were 52, 59 and 77%, respectively, as available as DL-methionine. The differences in availability between the three sulfoxides and DL-methionine were significant. Both DL- and D-methionine sulfoxide were significantly less available than L-methionine sulfoxide. No response was obtained from L-cysteic acid or DL-methionine sulfone.

Amino Acids, Sulfur