Effect of fungal gamma-linolenic acid and beta-carotene containing prefermented feed on immunity and gut of broiler chicken.

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is a fatty acid from the ω-6 family. It is able to deliver a wide range of health benefits arising from its anti-inflammatory effects. An insufficient supply of GLA from agricultural and animal sources resulted in the development of a fermentation technique using lower filamentous fungi, which have the ability to accumulate high concentrations of GLA and beta-carotene during solid-state fermentation of cereals. The goal of this study was to observe the influence of the addition of prefermented cereal product, containing high amounts of GLA and beta-carotene, into the feed of broiler chickens on their immune status, and also the number of lactic acid bacteria and enterobacteria in gut content, which has never been studied before. Immunostimulation in the GLA group was manifested by a significant increase in the oxidative burst of phagocytes, CD4+CD8- lymphocytes in blood, and the CD4: CD8 ratio. Upregulation of gene expression for IgA in the GLA group indicates that the B-lymphocytes were stimulated at a local gut level. In the caecum, increased mRNA expression for mucin-2 and insulin-like growth factor was observed in the GLA group, which could contribute mainly to the protection of the intestinal mucosa and to better growth and regeneration of skeletal muscles. Improved immune activation and protection of the intestinal mucosa were subsequently reflected in a change of the microbial composition in gut contents; a significant reduction of enterobacteria occurred after GLA administration. We can conclude that prefermented cereals containing fungal GLA and beta-carotene represent a low-cost supplement for broiler diet having a beneficial health effect.

Anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects of flax-seed oil and Lactobacillus plantarum - Biocenol™ LP96 in gnotobiotic pigs challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

The aim of this study was to determine the immune response after preventive administration of flax-seed oil (rich in n-3 PUFAs) or probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum - Biocenol™ LP96 or their combination in the jejunum of ETEC-challenged gnotobiotic pigs. Subsequently, gene expression of selected cytokines, phagocytic activity of leukocytes from peripheral blood and percentage of CD2(+), CD4(+), CD8(+) and CD4(+)CD25(+) lymphocytes in jejunal mucosa were evaluated. Our results showed that combined treatment down-regulates IL-1α and IL-8 gene expression, up-regulates IFN-γ and tends to regulate inflammation induced by ETEC through cytokine IL-10. In general, changes in cytokine gene expression correlated with the proportions of immune cells isolated from the same part of the jejunal mucosa. Results indicate that probiotic L. plantarum in combination with flax-seed oil rich in n-3 PUFAs has anti-inflammatory properties, stimulates Th1-mediated cell immunity and phagocytosis, and tends to regulate the inflammatory response induced by ETEC.

Effects of the administration of lactobacilli, maltodextrins and fructooligosaccharides upon the adhesion of E. coli O8:K88 to the intestinal mucosa and organic acid levels in the gut contents of piglets.

The influence of the administration of Lactobacillus plantarum, maltodextrin Maldex 150 and Raftifeed IPX fructooligosaccharides on the inhibition of adhesion of E. coli O8:K88 to the mucosa of the jejunum, ileum and colon as well as on the organic acid levels was investigated in 33 conventional piglets. The counts of E. coli K88 adhering to the jejunal mucosa were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 and Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 + Raftifeed IPX groups. The counts of E. coli K88 adhering to the colonic mucosa of Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 + Raftifeed IPX and Lact. plantarum + Raftifeed IPX groups were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in Lact. plantarum and Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 animals. The acetic acid levels in the ileum and colon of the Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 + Raftifeed IPX group and Lact. plantarum + Raftifeed IPX group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the Lact. plantarum and Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 group. The combination of Lact. plantarum, maltodextrin Maldex 150 and Raftifeed IPX proved to be the most effective one to inhibit the counts of E. coli O8:K88 adhering to the intestinal mucosa of the jejunum and colon of conventional piglets.