ABSTRACT
Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disorder caused by excessive production of uric acid (UA) or impaired uric acid metabolism. Smilax China L. has a wide range of pharmacological activities such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Its roots and rhizomes have been widely used for the treatment of HUA. However, its mechanisms for treating HUA and reducing renal impairment have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of Smilax China L. extract (SC) on UA metabolism and further explored its mechanism of action by feeding a high-calcium and high-protein diet to chickens to induce a model of HUA in chickens. SC significantly reduced serum UA levels and improved renal function in hyperuricemic chickens. Meanwhile, SC was able to inhibit the activity of xanthine oxidase (XOD) in vivo and in vitro, reducing the production of uric acid. In addition, SC was able to increase the expression of Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP) in the kidney and ileum and increase uric acid excretion. Therefore, our results suggest that SC may be a candidate for anti-hyperuricemia.
ABSTRACT
Heat stress (HS) in broilers can be an environmental stressor that leads to intestinal inflammation and intestinal barrier damage. In order to examine the effect of Ban Lian Zi Jin San (BLZJS) on intestinal inflammation and barrier function in heat-stressed broilers, a model of chronic cyclic HS in broilers was established. A total of 300 twenty-one-day-old broilers were divided into 5 treatments at random. Broilers in 3 BLZJS dosage groups were kept in an ecologically controlled room at 37â ± 2â for 6 wk, and fed basal diets supplemented with 0.5, 1, and 2% BLZJS. Broilers in HS group were housed in the same room, but fed the basal diets. The findings indicated that supplementation of BLZJS significantly declined serum HS indexes levels (HSP70, HSP90), and increased serum antioxidant capacity (SOD and T-AOC) in broilers (P < 0.05). Besides, supplementation of BLZJS significantly inhibited the expression of HS indexes (HSP70 and HSP90), genes related to TLR4 inflammatory signal pathway (TLR4, MyD88, TRIF, IRAK-4, and NF-κB), inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α), and upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) and intestinal tight junction-related genes (Occludin, Claudin-1, and ZO-1) in broiler jejunum (P < 0.05). On the other hand, supplementation of BLZJS could significantly reduce the protein expression of NF-κB and HSP70 in chick jejunum (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BLZJS inhibited the activation of TLR4 signal pathway and reduced the production of inflammatory factors, restoring the level of intestinal tight junction protein and protecting jejunal intestinal barrier function in heat-stressed broilers.
