RESUMO
The rumen microbiome plays a fundamental role in all ruminant species, it is involved in health, nutrient utilization, detoxification, and methane emissions. Methane is a greenhouse gas which is eructated in large volumes by ruminants grazing extensive grasslands in the tropical regions of the world. Enteric methane is the largest contributor to the emissions of greenhouse gases originating from animal agriculture. A large variety of plants containing secondary metabolites [essential oils (terpenoids), tannins, saponins, and flavonoids] have been evaluated as cattle feedstuffs and changes in volatile fatty acid proportions and methane synthesis in the rumen have been assessed. Alterations to the rumen microbiome may lead to changes in diversity, composition, and structure of the methanogen community. Legumes containing condensed tannins such as Leucaena leucocephala have shown a good methane mitigating effect when fed at levels of up to 30-35% of ration dry matter in cattle as a result of the effect of condensed tannins on rumen bacteria and methanogens. It has been shown that saponins disrupt the membrane of rumen protozoa, thus decreasing the numbers of both protozoa and methanogenic archaea. Trials carried out with cattle housed in respiration chambers have demonstrated the enteric methane mitigation effect in cattle and sheep of tropical legumes such as Enterolobium cyclocarpum and Samanea saman which contain saponins. Essential oils are volatile constituents of terpenoid or non-terpenoid origin which impair energy metabolism of archaea and have shown reductions of up to 26% in enteric methane emissions in ruminants. There is emerging evidence showing the potential of flavonoids as methane mitigating compounds, but more work is required in vivo to confirm preliminary findings. From the information hereby presented, it is clear that plant secondary metabolites can be a rational approach to modulate the rumen microbiome and modify its function, some species of rumen microbes improve protein and fiber degradation and reduce feed energy loss as methane in ruminants fed tropical plant species.
RESUMO
La Enfermedad por Reflujo Gastroesofagico es una condición que se desarrolla debido a reflujo gástrico persistente lo cual causa alteraciones nutricionales, síntomas molestos específicos, enfermedad respiratoria secundaria y daño en la anatomía e histología del esófago. El objetivo del tratamiento quirúrgico consiste en restablecer o reforzar los mecanismos de barrera anti reflujo. Se realizó funduplicatura laparoscópica por técnica de Nissen a cuatro pacientes, con edades comprendidas entre 2 y 5 años que presentaban Enfermedad por Reflujo Gastroesofagico. Dos pacientes presentaban daño neurológico y se les realizó gastrostomía en el mismo tiempo quirúrgico, formando parte éste procedimiento del abordaje laparoscópico. No se presentaron complicaciones en el post-operatorio inmediato ni mediato y todos los pacientes permanecen sin síntomas respiratorios ni gastrointestinales después de doce meses de seguimiento posterior el acto quirúrgico. La funduplicatura laparoscópica constituye una alternativa segura, provista de muchas ventajas en comparación con la cirugía abierta y debe ser el método de elección para el tratamiento de la Enfermedad por Reflujo Gastroesofagico cuando existe fracaso en el manejo medico.
The Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a condition that develops persistent gastric reflux causing nutritional disorders, specific troublesome symptoms, respiratory disease and secondary damage to the anatomy and histology of the esophagus. The goal of surgery is to restore or strengthen mechanisms for anti reflux barrier. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was performed in four patients, aged between 2 and 5 years and who had gastroesophageal reflux disease. Two patients had neurological damage and a gastrostomy was performed during the laparoscopic procedure. No immediate and mediate complications in the postoperative period where seen, all patients remain symptom free during the twelve months of follow-up. Laparoscopic fundoplication is a safe alternative and provide many advantages over open surgery and should be the method of choice for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease when there is failure of medical management.