ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in the biochemical parameters of feedlot lambs fed with high concentrations of crude glycerin (GC). Forty crossbred lambs (Dorper × Santa Inês), non-castrated, weighing 21.7±2.7kg and 90 days old, were randomly assigned to four treatments (0, 10, 20, and 30% GC in the diet). To evaluate the biochemical parameters, blood samples (pre-prandial and 4 h after morning feeding) were collected on the first day and the day before slaughter, in each treatment. The high-density lipoprotein was linearly decreased (P<0.0001) when GC concentrations were increased in the diet. Alkaline phosphatase was quadratically affected by treatments (P=0.05), with greater values observed in blood from animals fed intermediate concentrations of CG, and gamma-glutamyl transferase was linearly increased (P=0.008). The blood urea was quadratically affected by treatments with lower values observed in blood from animals fed intermediate concentrations of CG. In conclusion, the replacement of up to 30% (based on dry matter) of corn grain by crude glycerin, in diets for feedlot finishing lambs, does not compromise the health status of these animals.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as alterações nos parâmetros bioquímicos de cordeiros confinados, alimentados com elevadas concentrações de glicerina bruta (GC). Quarenta cordeiros mestiços (Dorper × Santa Inês), não castrados, com 21,7±2,7kg de peso e 90 dias de idade, foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro tratamentos (0, 10, 20 e 30% de GC na dieta). Para avaliar os parâmetros bioquímicos, amostras de sangue (pré-prandial e 4h após a alimentação matinal) foram coletadas no primeiro dia e no dia anterior ao abate, em cada tratamento. A lipoproteína de alta densidade no sangue diminuiu linearmente (P<0,0001) quando as concentrações de GC foram aumentadas. A fosfatase alcalina foi afetada quadraticamente pelos tratamentos (P=0,05), com valores maiores observados no sangue de animais alimentados com concentrações intermediárias de GC, e a gamaglutamiltransferase aumentou linearmente (P=0,008). A ureia sanguínea foi afetada de forma quadrática pelos tratamentos, com valores menores observados no sangue de animais alimentados com concentrações intermediárias de GC. Em conclusão, a substituição de até 30% (com base na matéria seca) do grão de milho por glicerina bruta, em dietas para cordeiros em terminação em confinamento, não compromete o estado de saúde desses animais.

The objectives of the present study were to assess the in vitro-induced anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody production (IVIAP) in relation to the clinical, biochemical, virologic and histologic variables of patients with HCV infection. The study included 57 patients (60% males) with HCV infection (anti-HCV and HCV-RNA positive). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was elevated in 89% of the patients. Mean viral load was 542,241 copies/ml and histology of the liver showed chronic hepatitis in 27/52 (52%) and cirrhosis in 11/52 (21%) patients. IVIAP levels were determined by immunoenzymatic assay at median absorbance of 0.781 at 450 nm. IVIAP was negative in 14% of the patients. When groups with IVIAP levels above and below the median were compared, high IVIAP levels were associated with the male sex, elevated ALT levels and more advanced disease stage. After logistic regression analysis, advanced histologic damage to the liver remained as the only independent variable associated with elevated IVIAP levels. Using a receiver operator characteristic curve, the best cut-off level for IVIAP was established (= 1.540), with 71% sensitivity and 94% specificity for the detection of more advanced disease stages (grades 3 and 4). These findings are consistent with the participation of immunological mechanisms in the genesis of the hepatic lesions induced by HCV and indicate that the IVIAP test may be useful as a noninvasive marker of liver damage either alone or in combination with other markers.