We want new scientific findings to be put into practice
It is important to us that we pass on the knowledge we have gathered over the last 13 years to you. We have invested many years in research, spending day after day in the laboratory to understand how the transport from the rumen into the blood works. We are experts in this field and would like to share this knowledge with you in a condensed form.
The goal is to use this knowledge to develop new approaches to prophylaxis. And you should be able to decide for yourself which prophylaxis you would like to use, based on good, up-to-date knowledge.
Far too often, products are presented without explaining how they work or why they are supposed to be better. That is not our claim! We welcome any questions about us, our products, or our research and if you are interested, we will be happy to arrange a visit to gain insight into what it actually looks like to conduct measurements on a single rumen cell.
Transport proteins in the rumen cells are responsible for the transport of various nutrients
The rumen is also known as the cow's fermentation chamber. However, it is essential that substances and molecules contained in the rumen, some of which are newly produced there, can be absorbed via the rumen cells that form the rumen wall and transported into the blood. Different transporters transport different substances, depending on the type. The direction of whether something is secreted into the rumen or absorbed from the rumen into the blood also depends on the respective process.
Ion channels are a type of transport protein that enable the transfer of ions (cations and anions) into and out of the cell. They are involved in important processes of cellular metabolism, such as cellular homeostasis and signal transduction and can therefore play an essential role in the development of diseases. In human research, the importance of ion channels, e.g., in diseases of the nervous system, the digestive tract or the skin, as well as in chronic pain, has been extensively studied. In veterinary medicine, particularly in livestock, this area remains largely unexplored.
TRP channels are a special family of ion channels that make up 20% of the channels present in the body
The term "transient receptor potential" (TRP) is derived from a mutant of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster (trp343) discovered in 1960, which exhibited altered sensory responses to certain light stimuli. TRP channels are responsible for perceiving various stimuli. Some of them are activated by changes in temperature, which makes it possible to distinguish between cold, warmth and heat.
However, TRP channels not only function in the perception of stimuli but also constitute around 20% of the body's ion channels. Therefore, TRP modulators have enormous potential to influence important metabolic functions across a wide range of areas. PerformaNat has specialised in identifying and characterising TRP modulators for use in animal nutrition.
The functions of ion channels are investigated by using various methods of transport- and electrophysiology
Little is known about the role of TRP channels in farm animals. Very complex, elaborate methods are required to characterise the properties of ion channels. These include both patch-clamp measurements and the Ussing chamber method.
These electrophysiological techniques enable the investigation of the functions of individual TRP channels and the identification of suitable modulators. TRP channel modulators are often highly species-specific and concentration-dependent, which is why multiple studies are required to identify suitable candidates for further product development. In addition to studies on isolated cells, electrophysiological measurements on vital gastrointestinal tissue are particularly necessary to characterise the function of specific ion channels and the effects of modulators on the intestinal barrier. Radioactive isotopes can be used in the Ussing chamber to precisely analyse nutrient transport. Dose-response relationships can also be depicted using this method. Based on this, active ingredients can then be used specifically in feeding studies.
Molecular biological characterisation of the target molecule
Molecular biological methods are used to investigate changes in the expression of target genes by active phytogenic substances. This includes extensive screening of potential modulators in cell culture models or ex vivo experiments.
In addition to expression analyses of proteins and biomarkers using q-RT-PCR, further investigations are carried out using Western blots, ELISAs and other molecular methods. As only a few specific antibodies are available for the precise detection of proteins, particularly in livestock species, work is also underway to establish alternative detection methods.
Research institutes, chambers of agriculture & practical farms
Once the laboratory trials, which involve work on slaughterhouse tissue and cultured cells, are complete, feeding studies on cows or sheep follow. Sheep are often used as model animals as they are easier to house and handle. Ultimately, however, the results must also be verifiable in the cow.
Depending on the issue, we conduct feeding studies in experimental facilities or on suitable commercial farms. The prerequisite for practical operations is that groups can be kept under identical conditions. At the same time, normal farm operations must not be restricted.
We have had great experiences with great farms and, above all, the people! Because here, too, the important thing is that you can't do it alone!
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We have published all our studies in various scientific journals. This was important to us to give a broad audience access to new results and to show, through the review process, that our results are valid and were not developed behind closed doors.
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