Effects of Chinese Gallotannins on Antioxidant Function, Intestinal Health, and Gut Flora in Broilers Challenged with Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide.

This experiment was conducted to study the protective effects of dietary Chinese gallotannins (CGT) supplementation against Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal injury in broilers. Four hundred and fifty healthy Arbor Acres broilers (one-day-old) were randomly divided into three groups: (1) basal diet (CON group), (2) basal diet with LPS challenge (LPS group), and (3) basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg CGT as well as LPS challenge (LPS+CGT group). The experiment lasted for 21 days. Intraperitoneal LPS injections were administered to broilers in the LPS group and the LPS+CGT group on days 17, 19, and 21 of the trial, whereas the CON group received an intraperitoneal injection of 0.9% physiological saline. Blood and intestinal mucosa samples were collected 3 h after the LPS challenge. The results showed that LPS administration induced intestinal inflammation and apoptosis and damaged small intestinal morphology and structure in broilers. However, dietary supplementation with CGT alleviated the deleterious effects on intestinal morphology and barrier integrity caused by the LPS challenge, while also reducing intestinal apoptosis and inflammation, enhancing intestinal antioxidant capacity, and increasing cecal microbial alpha diversity in the LPS-challenged broilers. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that a 300 mg/kg CGT addition could improve intestinal morphology and gut barrier structure, as well as maintaining bacterial homeostasis, in broilers exposed to LPS. This might partially be attributed to the reduced cell apoptosis, decreased inflammatory response, and enhanced antioxidant capacity in the small intestinal mucosa.

Zearalenone Promotes Uterine Hypertrophy through AMPK/mTOR Mediated Autophagy.

Zearalenone (ZEN), a non-steroidal Fusarium graminearum with an estrogen effect, can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract, immune organs, liver, and reproductive system. Further analysis of the mechanism of ZEN has become an important scientific issue. We have established in vivo and in vitro models of ZEN intervention, used AMPK/mTOR as a targeted pathway for ZEN reproductive toxicity, and explored the molecular mechanism by which ZEN may induce uterine hypertrophy in weaned piglets. Our study strongly suggested that ZEN can activate the phosphorylation of AMPK in uterine endometrial epithelium cells, affect the phosphorylation level of mTOR through TSC2 and Rheb, induce autophagy, upregulate the expression of proliferative genes PCNA and BCL2, downregulate the expression of apoptotic gene BAX, promote uterine endometrial epithelium cells proliferation, and ultimately lead to thickening of the endometrial and myometrium, increased density of uterine glands, and induce uterine hypertrophy.

Protective effect of Macleaya cordata isoquinoline alkaloids on lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in broilers.

OBJECTIVE: This experiment aimed to explore the protective action of dietary supplementation with isoquinoline alkaloids (IA) from Macleaya cordata on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in broilers. METHODS: Total 216 healthy broilers were selected in a 21-d trial and assigned randomly to the following 3 treatments: control (CON) group, LPS group, and LPS+IA group. The CON and LPS groups were provided with a basal diet, whereas the LPS+IA group received the basal diet supplemented with 0.6 mg/kg Macleaya cordata IA. Broilers in LPS and LPS+IA groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (1 mg/kg body weight) at 17, 19, and 21 days of age, while those in CON group were injected with equivalent amount of saline solution. RESULTS: Results showed LPS injection caused systemic and liver inflammation in broilers, inhibited immune function, and ultimately lead to liver injury. By contrast, supplementation of IA ameliorated LPS-induced adverse change in serum parameters, boosted immunity in LPS+IA group. Furthermore, IA suppressed the elevation of hepatic inflammatory cytokines and caspases levels induced by LPS, as well as the expressions of genes related to the tolllike receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factorkappa B (NF-κB) pathway. CONCLUSION: Dietary inclusion of 0.6 mg/kg Macleaya cordata IA could enhance immune function of body and inhibit liver damage via inactivating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in broilers.

Glutamine attenuates bisphenol A-induced intestinal inflammation by regulating gut microbiota and TLR4-p38/MAPK-NF-κB pathway in piglets.

Bisphenol A (BPA), as a kind of widely exerted environmental hazardous material, brings toxicity to both humans and animals. This study aimed to investigate the role of glutamine (Gln) in intestinal inflammation and microbiota in BPA-challenged piglets. Thirty-two piglets were randomly divided into four groups according to 2 factors including BPA (0 vs. 0.1%) and Gln (0 vs. 1%) supplemented in basal diet for a 42-day feeding experiment. The results showed BPA exposure impaired piglet growth, induced intestinal inflammation and disturbed microbiota balance. However, dietary Gln supplementation improved the growth performance, while decreasing serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in BPA-challenged piglets. In addition, Gln attenuated intestinal mucosal damage and inflammation by normalizing the activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-p38/MAPK-nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway caused by BPA. Moreover, dietary Gln supplementation decreased the abundance of Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria, and attenuated the decreased abundance of Roseburia, Prevotella, Romboutsia and Phascolarctobacterium and the content of short-chain fatty acids in cecum contents caused by BPA exposure. Moreover, there exerted potential relevance between the gut microbiota and pro-inflammatory cytokines and cecal short-chain fatty acids. In conclusion, Gln is critical nutrition for attenuating BPA-induced intestinal inflammation, which is partially mediated by regulating microbial balance and suppressing the TLR4/p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling.

Cysteine Attenuates the Impact of Bisphenol A-Induced Oxidative Damage on Growth Performance and Intestinal Function in Piglets.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a kind of environmental toxin, widely impacts daily life. Cysteine (Cys) is a nutritionally important amino acid for piglets. However, it remains unclear whether Cys can alleviate BPA-induced oxidative damage in piglets. The aim of the present study was to explore the protective effects of Cys in BPA-challenged piglets. A total of twenty-four piglets were divided into four groups that were further subdivided based on the type of exposure (with or without 0.1% BPA) in a basal or Cys diet for a 28 d feeding trial. The results showed that BPA exposure decreased the piglets' average daily weight gain by 14.9%, and decreased dry matter, crude protein and ether extract digestibility by 3.3%, 4.5% and 2.3%, respectively; these decreases were attenuated by Cys supplementation. Additionally, Cys supplementation restored BPA-induced decreases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), and increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, in the serum and jejunum (p < 0.05). Moreover, BPA decreased the jejunal mRNA expression of antioxidant genes, which were restored by Cys supplementation (p < 0.05). Cys also restored BPA and increased serum D-lactate levels and diamine oxidase (DAO) activity, and BPA decreased jejunal disaccharidase activity (p < 0.05). Further investigations in this study showed that the protective effects of Cys were associated with restoring intestinal barrier integrity by improving the jejunal morphology and enhancing the mRNA expression of tight junction proteins (p < 0.05). Collectively, the results herein demonstrated that Cys supplementation attenuated the impact of BPA-induced oxidative damage on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal function.

Effects of different wheat bran fermentation sources on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum antioxidant capacity and fecal microbiota in growing pigs.

The present study aimed to evaluate the application of different wheat bran fermentation sources in growing pigs. A total of 320 pigs (43 ± 0.21 kg), were randomly allocated to 5 groups in a 21-d trial. The control group was fed a basal diet (CON) containing raw wheat bran, and the other four treatments were fed the diets in which the raw wheat bran in the basal diet was substituted with Aspergillus niger (WBA), Bacillus licheniformis (WBB), Candida utilis (WBC), and Lactobacillus plantarum (WBL) fermented wheat bran, respectively. The results showed that compared to the CON group, the crude fiber and pH values were decreased (p < 0.05), while the gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP), and lactic acid values were increased (p < 0.05) in all the wheat bran fermented by different strains. Compared with other treatments, feeding B. licheniformis fermented wheat bran had higher final weight, average daily gain, as well as lower feed-to-gain ratio. Compared with CON group, pigs fed with fermented wheat bran diets had higher dry matter, CP, and GE availability, serum total protein, albumin and superoxide dismutase levels, and fecal Lactobacillus counts, as well as lower malondialdehyde level and fecal Escherichia coli count. Collectively, our findings suggested that feeding fermented wheat bran, especially B. licheniformis fermented wheat bran, showed beneficial effects on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum antioxidant capacity, and the gut microbiota structure of growing pigs.

Effects of dietary supplementation with microencapsulated Galla chinensis tannins on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism of young broiler chickens.

This study aimed to investigate the impacts of dietary supplementation with Galla chinensis tannins (GCT) on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism of young broilers. Overall, a total of 216 healthy 1 day-old broilers were randomly allocated to CON group and GCT group, and provided with a basal diet or a basal diet added with 300 mg/kg microencapsulated GCT, respectively, in a 21 days trial. Our findings indicated that dietary GCT addition had no significant effects (p > 0.05) on growth performance. However, GCT supplementation led to a significant reduction in the total cholesterol (TC) concentration in the serum and liver (p < 0.05). Furthermore, GCT supplementation significantly increased the ratios of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and HDL to TC in the serum, in addition to elevating the activities of enzymes related to lipid metabolism in the liver (p < 0.05). Dietary GCT addition also improved the antioxidant capacity of the broilers, as evidenced by a significant decrease in the concentration of malondialdehyde in serum and liver (p < 0.05). Additionally, the GCT group exhibited significantly increased expressions of hepatic genes associated with antioxidant enzymes (HO-1, GPX1, SOD2, SIRT1, CPT-1, and PPARα) (p < 0.05), while the mRNA expression of SREBP-1 was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) compared with the CON group. In conclusion, dietary addition of 300 mg/kg microencapsulated GCT improved the antioxidant status and lipid metabolism of broilers without affecting their growth performance.

The combination of macleaya extract and glucose oxidase improves the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune function and cecal microbiota of piglets.

This study aims to investigate the effects of macleaya extract and glucose oxidase combination (MGO) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune function, and cecal microbiota in piglets. A total of 120 healthy 28-day-old weaned piglets were randomly divided into two treatments of six replicates. Piglets were either received a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg MGO (2 g/kg sanguinarine, 1 g/kg chelerythrine, and 1 × 106 U/kg glucose oxidase). The results showed that MGO supplementation increased average daily gain (ADG) and decreased feed:gain ratio (F/G) (p < 0.05). MGO increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) content (p < 0.05), but decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) content (p < 0.05). The jejunal mRNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) were increased in MGO group (p < 0.05), while that of kelch like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1) was decreased (p < 0.05). The Firmicutes was significantly increased at phylum levels in MGO group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 250 mg/kg MGO improved piglet growth, and regulated intestinal flora of piglets, which provided a theoretical basis for MGO as an alternative additive for antibiotics.

Effect of replacing dicalcium phosphate with mono-dicalcium phosphate to supplement phosphorus on laying performance, phosphorus-calcium metabolism and bone metabolism of aged laying hens.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing dicalcium phosphate (DCP) with mono-dicalcium phosphate (MDCP) to formulate low-phosphorus (P) diets on laying performance, egg quality, phosphorus-calcium metabolism, and bone metabolism of 69-78-week-old aged laying hens. Hy-Line Brown laying hens (n = 1,350, 69 weeks old) were randomly assigned to six treatments, each with five replicates of 45 hens. A corn-soybean meal-based diet was formulated to contain 0.12% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP), 3.81% calcium (Ca), and 1,470 FTU/kg phytase. The control group (CON) was supplemented with DCP inorganic phosphorus (Pi) at the NPP level of 0.20% (dietary NPP levels of 0.32%). Test groups (T1-T5) were supplemented with MDCP Pi at NPP levels of 0.07%, 0.11%, 0.15%, 0.18, and 0.20% (dietary NPP levels of 0.19, 0.23, 0.27, 0.30, and 0.32%, respectively). Calcium carbonate levels were adjusted to ensure all experimental diets contained the same Ca levels (3.81%). The feeding trial lasted 10 weeks, with hens increasing in age from 69 to 78 weeks. When supplemented with 1,470 FTU/kg phytase, extra DCP Pi or MDCP Pi did not affect (p > 0.05) laying performance (day laying rate, average egg weight, feed intake, feed-to-egg mass ratio, broken egg rate), egg quality (eggshell strength, albumen height, haugh units), or serum P, Ca, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) levels. However, when laying hens were fed MDCP Pi (NPP levels of 0.07 to 0.20%), yolk color improved (p = 0.0148). The tibia breaking strength was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the 0.18 and 0.20% NPP MDCP Pi groups than in the 0.20% NPP DCP Pi group. The breaking strength, Ca content, and P content of tibia in 0.11% and 0.15% NPP MDCP Pi hens were not significantly (p > 0.05) different from those in 0.20% NPP DCP Pi hens. Hens fed 0.07% NPP MDCP Pi had higher (p < 0.01) serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG), type-I collagen c-telopeptide (CTX-I), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) than those in all other groups. Serum levels of TRACP-5b and CTX-I in the 0.11% and 0.15% NPP MDCP Pi group were significantly lower than those in 0.18 and 0.20% NPP MDCP Pi groups and the 0.20% NPP DCP Pi group (p < 0.0001). Hens fed 0.07% and 0.11% NPP MDCP Pi had higher (p < 0.05) serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) than those in all other groups. No differences were detected in serum calcitonin (CT), 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin(OCN), and osteopontin (OPN) among all groups (p > 0.05). The expression of P transporters type IIa Na/Pi cotransporter (NaPi-IIa) in 0.11% and 0.15% NPP MDCP Pi hens were higher than those in 0.20% NPP MDCP Pi group and 0.20% NPP DCP Pi group (p < 0.05). The results indicated that both renal P reabsorption and bone resorption were involved in adapting to a low-P diet. In summary, when MDCP was used instead of DCP to supplement P, NPP levels could be reduced to 0.11% (dietary NPP level of 0.23%) without negative effects on laying performance and skeletal health of aged hens. In addition, MDCP was more beneficial than DCP for tibia quality. The results of the current study would provide references for the application of MDCP in low-P diets of aged laying hens.

Effects of dietary Galla Chinensis tannin supplementation on immune function and liver health in broiler chickens challenged with lipopolysaccharide.

Herein, Galla Chinensis tannin (GCT) was examined for its influence on preventing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver damage in broiler chickens. Approximately 486 one-day-old healthy broilers were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups (control, LPS, and LPS + GCT). The control and LPS groups were fed a basal diet and the LPS+GCT group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg GCT. LPS was intraperitoneally injected (1 mg/kg body weight BW) in broilers in the LPS and LPS+GCT groups at 17, 19, and 21 days of age. The results manifested that dietary GCT addition attenuated LPS-induced deleterious effects on serum parameters and significantly increased serum immunoglobulin and complement C3 concentrations relative to the control and LPS groups. Dietary supplementation of GCT inhibited LPS-induced increase in broiler hepatic inflammatory cytokines, caspases activities, and TLR4/NF-κB pathway-related gene mRNA expression. Therefore, 300 mg/kg GCT addition to the diet improved the immune function of broilers and inhibit liver inflammation by blocking the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Our findings provide support for the application of GCT in poultry production.

Effects of Low-Phosphorus Diets Supplemented with Phytase on the Production Performance, Phosphorus-Calcium Metabolism, and Bone Metabolism of Aged Hy-Line Brown Laying Hens.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of phytase supplementation in low-phosphorus diets on the production performance, phosphorus-calcium metabolism, and bone metabolism in laying hens from 69 to 78 weeks of age. Hy-Line Brown laying hens (n = 1350) were assigned randomly to six treatments with five replicates of 45 birds. A corn-soybean meal-based diet with no inorganic phosphates was formulated to contain 0.12% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) and 1470 FTU/kg phytase (Released phytate phosphorus content ≥ 0.1%). Inorganic phosphorus (dicalcium phosphate) was supplemented into the basal diet to construct five test diets (level of NPP supplementation = 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, 0.25%, and 0.30%). The level of calcium carbonate was adjusted to ensure that all six experimental diets contained the same calcium percentage (3.81%). The feeding trial lasted 10 weeks (hens from 69 to 78 weeks of age). Upon supplementation with phytase (1470 FTU/kg), supplemental inorganic phosphates (dicalcium phosphate) had no significant effects (p > 0.05) on the production performance or egg quality. Significant differences in serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, or manganese were not detected across treatments (p > 0.05). Hens fed NPP (0.15%, 0.20%, 0.25%, and 0.30%) had higher levels (p < 0.0001) of tibial ash, calcium, and phosphorus than those not fed inorganic phosphates. The tibial breaking strength of the group without inorganic phosphates was significantly lower than that of the other groups (p < 0.01). Dietary supplementation with inorganic phosphates had no effect (p > 0.05) on serum levels of calcitonin (CT) and 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3). Hens that did not receive supplementation with inorganic phosphates had higher serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteoprotegerin (OPG), type-I collagen c-telopeptide (CTX-I), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) compared with those in the other groups (p < 0.01). Serum levels of CTX-I and TRACP-5b were significantly lower in the NPP-supplementation groups of 0.25% and 0.30% than in the 0.10% NPP-supplementation group (p < 0.01). Dietary supplementation with inorganic phosphates had no effect (p > 0.05) on serum levels of bone-alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OCN), or osteopontin (OPN). Hens not fed inorganic phosphate had the highest renal expression of phosphorus transporter type IIa Na/Pi cotransporter (NaPi-Ⅱa). Renal expression of NaPi-Ⅱa was increased significantly in NPP-supplementation groups of 0.10-0.20% compared with that in NPP-supplementation groups of 0.25% and 0.30% (p < 0.0001). The results indicated that a reduction in NPP supplementation to 0.15% (dietary NPP level = 0.27%) with phytase inclusion did not have an adverse effect on the production performance or bone health of laying hens from 69 to 78 weeks of age, which might be attributed to renal phosphorus reabsorption and bone resorption. These findings could support the application of low-phosphorus diets in the poultry industry.

Effects of Dietary Isoleucine Supplementation on the Production Performance, Health Status and Cecal Microbiota of Arbor Acre Broiler Chickens.

A total of 24,000 healthy 1-day-old Arbor Acres broilers with similar initial weights were used in this study and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 400 and 800 mg/kg isoleucine (Ile), denoted CON, ILE400 and ILE800, respectively. Results revealed that the final body weight, average daily weight gain, and eviscerated carcass rate, of broiler chickens in the ILE400 group were significantly higher than in other groups (p < 0.05). In addition, the ILE400 and ILE800 groups had a lower feed conversion rate and a higher survival rate and breast muscle rate (p < 0.05), while the abdominal fat rate was significantly lower than the CON group (p < 0.05). There were significantly lower serum concentrations of UREA, glucose (GLU) and total cholesterol (TCHO) in the ILE400 and ILE800 groups than in the CON group (p < 0.05); glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was significantly higher in the ILE400 group than in the other groups, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentration was considerably lower than in other groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, interleukin (IL)-10 concentration in the ILE800 group was significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). The ILE400 group significantly down-regulated the mRNA expressions of fatty-acid synthase (FASN) and solid alcohol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c), and significantly up-regulated the mRNA expressions of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and sirtuin1 (Sirt1) (p < 0.05). The ILE400 group had significantly higher intestinal villus height than the CON and ILE800 groups, while the ILE800 group had significantly lower intestinal villus height/crypt depth (p < 0.05). Furthermore, high-throughput sequencing showed that the Shannon index, and Verrucomicrobiota, Colidextribacter and Bacteroides abundances were significantly higher in the ILE400 group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the ILE800 group reduced the Simpson index, phylum Firmicutes and Bacteroidota abundances (including genera Colidextribacter, Butyricicoccus, [Ruminococcus]_torques_group, Bacteroides, Alistipes, Barnesiella and Butyricimonas), and increased Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria (including genera Dyella, Devosia, unidentified_Chloroplast and Hyphomicrobium) (p < 0.05). Overall, our study showed that adding 400 mg/kg Ile to the diet (diets total Ile levels at 1.01%, 0.90% and 0.87% during the starter, grower and finisher phases, respectively) increased production performance and improved the health status in broiler chickens.

Macleaya cordata isoquinoline alkaloids attenuate Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal epithelium injury in broiler chickens by co-regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways.

This study sought to explore the effects and potential mechanisms of dietary supplementation with isoquinoline alkaloids (IA) from Macleaya cordata to alleviate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal epithelium injury in broilers. A total of 486 1-day-old broilers were assigned at random to a control (CON) group, LPS group, and LPS+IA group in a 21-d study. The CON and LPS groups received a basal diet, while the LPS+IA group received a basal diet supplemented with 0.6 mg/kg IA. At 17, 19, and 21 days of age, the LPS and LPS+BP groups were injected intraperitoneally with LPS, and the CON group was intraperitoneally injected equivalent amount of saline solution. The results manifested that LPS injection caused intestinal inflammation and lipid peroxidation, disrupted intestinal barrier and function, and increased the abundance of harmful microorganisms. However, dietary IA supplementation alleviated LPS-induced adverse changes in intestinal morphology, apoptosis, mucosal barrier integrity, cecum microorganisms, and homeostasis disorder by decreasing inflammatory cytokines and enhancing antioxidant-related genes expressions; inhibited LPS-induced increases in TLR4 and NF-κB expressions and decreases in Nrf2 and GPX1 genes expressions. Our findings indicated that Macleaya cordata IA addition attenuated LPS-induced intestinal epithelium injury and disorder of intestinal homeostasis by enhancing the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity of broiler chickens possibly via co-regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways.

Zearalenone Promotes Uterine Development of Weaned Gilts by Interfering with Serum Hormones and Up-Regulating Expression of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors.

In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of diet ZEA on serum hormones, the location and expression of estrogen receptor ERα/ß and progesterone receptor (PR) of the uterus in weaned piglets and to reveal the mechanism underneath. A total of 40 healthy weaned gilts were randomly allocated to basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control), 0.5 (ZEA0.5), 1.0 (ZEA1.0) and 1.5 (ZEA1.5) mg ZEA/kg and fed individually for 35 days. Meanwhile, the porcine endometrial epithelial cells (PECs) were incubated for 24 h with ZEA at 0 (Control), 5 (ZEA5), 20 (ZEA20) and 80 (ZEA80) µmol/L, respectively. The results showed that nutrient apparent digestibility (CP and GE), nutrient apparent availability (ME/GE, BV and NPU), the uterine immunoreactive integrated optic density (IOD), relative mRNA and protein expression of ER-α, ER-ß and PR and the relative mRNA and protein expression of ER-α and ER-ß in PECs all increased linearly (p < 0.05) with ZEA. Collectively, ZEA can interfere with the secretion of some reproductive hormones in the serum and promote the expression of estrogen/progesterone receptors in the uterus and PECs. All these indicate that ZEA may promote the development of the uterus in weaned gilts through estrogen receptor pathway.

Zearalenone Exposure Affects the Keap1-Nrf2 Signaling Pathway and Glucose Nutrient Absorption Related Genes of Porcine Jejunal Epithelial Cells.

This study aims to examine the impact of zearalenone (ZEA) on glucose nutrient absorption and the role of the Kelch-like erythroid cell-derived protein with CNC homology-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway in zearalenone-induced oxidative stress of porcine jejunal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2). For 24 and 36 h, the IPEC-J2 cells were exposed to ZEA at concentrations of 0, 10, 20, and 40 (Control, ZEA10, ZEA20, ZEA40) mol/L. With the increase of ZEA concentration and prolongation of the action time, the apoptosis rate and malondialdehyde level and relative expression of sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter 1 (Sglt1), glucose transporter 2 (Glut2), Nrf2, quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1), and hemeoxygenase 1 (Ho1) at mRNA and protein level, fluorescence intensity of Nrf2 and reactive oxygen species increased significantly (p < 0.05), total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and relative expression of Keap1 at mRNA and protein level, fluorescence intensity of Sglt1 around the cytoplasm and the cell membrane of IPEC-J2 reduced significantly (p < 0.05). In conclusion, ZEA can impact glucose absorption by affecting the expression of Sglt1 and Glut2, and ZEA can activate the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway by enhancing Nrf2, Nqo1, and Ho1 expression of IPEC-J2.

Supplementation with paraformic acid in the diet improved intestinal development through modulating intestinal inflammation and microbiota in broiler chickens.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of supplementing paraformic acid (PFA) to the diet of broiler chickens on intestinal development, inflammation, and microbiota. A total of 378 healthy 1-day-old Arbor Acres broilers with similar birth weight were used in this study, and randomly assigned into two treatment groups. The broiler chickens were received a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 1,000 mg/kg PFA. Results showed that PFA supplementation increased (P < 0.05) small intestinal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio, elevated intestinal mucosal factors (mucin 2, trefoil factor family, and zonula occludens-1) concentrations, and upregulated mNRA expression of y + L amino acid transporter 1. Moreover, PFA supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10), activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8, and mNRA expressions of Toll-like Receptor 4, nuclear factor-kappa B, Bax, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in small intestinal mucosa. Dietary PFA supplementation also increased (P < 0.05) alpha diversity of cecal microbiota and relative abundance of Alistipes. The present study demonstrated that supplementation of 1,000 mg/kg PFA showed beneficial effects in improving intestinal development, which might be attributed to the suppression of intestinal inflammation and change of gut microbiota composition in broiler chickens. These findings will aid in our knowledge of the mechanisms through which dietary PFA modulates gut development, as well as support the use of PFA in poultry industry.

Dietary Galla Chinensis tannic acid supplementation in the diets improves growth performance, immune function and liver health status of broiler chicken.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Galla Chinensis tannic acid (TA) on growth performance, immune function, and liver health status in broilers. A total of 288 1-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly divided into two groups in a 42-days study. The two groups were a basal diet (CON group) and a basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg Galla Chinensis tannic acid (TA group). The results showed that the TA group had significantly decreased feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) throughout the experiment (P < 0.05). The levels of total protein, albumin, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, urea, total cholesterol, and glucose in the TA group were significantly higher than in the CON group (P < 0.05). In addition, the serum immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, and complements (C3, C4) levels in the TA group were significantly higher than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the hepatic interleukin-6, interleukin-18, NLRs family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, and caspase-3 in the TA group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Besides, TA group had significantly lower mRNA expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and NLRP3 in liver (P < 0.05). The TA group had significantly higher the mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2 than CON group in liver (P < 0.05). Moreover, TA group tended to decrease Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in liver (P < 0.10). To sum up, dietary supplemented with microencapsulated TA from Galla Chinensis had beneficial effects on growth performance, immune function, and liver health status in broilers. The protective role of TA from Galla Chinensis in liver health of broilers might be related to the inhibition of hepatic apoptosis and pyroptosis via inactivation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Effects of dietary Bopu powder supplementation on intestinal development and microbiota in broiler chickens.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Bopu powder on intestinal development and bacterial community composition in broiler chickens. A total of 486 1-day-old arbor acres broilers were fed a basal diet (CON group), a basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg aureomycin (AB group), or a basal diet supplemented with 40 mg/kg Bopu powder (BP group). The results showed that the BP group had significantly lower serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and diamine oxidase concentrations and had significantly higher serum IL-10 concentrations than CON group (p < 0.05). Groups AB and BP had a significantly higher weight per unit length of the small intestine and villus height than the CON group (p < 0.05), and BP group had a significantly higher ratio of villus height to crypt depth than groups CON and AB (p < 0.05). Compared to the CON group, dietary Bopu powder or aureomycin supplementation significantly increased transforming growth factor-α concentration and mRNA expressions of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin, and decreased intestinal mucosal concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, caspase-3, and caspase-8 and mRNA expressions of nuclear factor-kappa-B and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the intestinal mucosa (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, BP group had significantly higher ZO-1, secretory immunoglobulin A, interferon-γ concentrations, and mRNA expressions of glucose transporter type-2 and sirtuin-1, and significantly lower IL-1ß concentration than groups CON and AB in intestinal mucosa (p < 0.05). Dietary Bopu powder supplementation significantly increased the concentration of trefoil factor family member and mRNA expressions of superoxide dismutase-1 and bcl-2 associated X, and significantly reduced casepase-9 concentration and myeloid differentiation primary response-88 expression in the intestinal mucosa of broiler chickens relative to CON group (p < 0.05). Moreover, results of high-throughput sequencing showed that broilers in the BP group had microbial community structure distinct from that in CON group, and the addition of Bopu powder increased the abundances of Faecalibacterium and Colidextribacter (p < 0.05). Therefore, our study suggests a synergic response of intestinal development and microbiota to the Bopu powder, and provides a theoretical basis as a potential substitute for antibiotics.

Supplementation of Paraformic Acid as a Substitute for Antibiotics in the Diet Improves Growth Performance and Liver Health in Broiler Chickens.

The current study aimed to explore the effects of supplementing paraformic acid (PFA) into broilers' diet on growth performance, inflammatory responses, and liver protection. A total of 567 healthy one-day-old broilers were used in a 42-d study, and they were randomized into three groups. Broilers were fed a basal diet (CON group) or the basal diet supplemented with either 50 mg/kg aureomycin (AB group) or 1000 mg/kg PFA (PFA group). The results showed that the PFA and AB groups had a higher feed conversion rate than the CON group from day 21 to 42 (p < 0.05). Dietary PFA or aureomycin supplementation decreased serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, alanine transaminase, diamine oxidase, and D-lactate, and significantly increased serum concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, and complement C4 (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary PFA or aureomycin supplementation decreased hepatic levels of caspase-1, NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, and IL-18, as well as NF-κB mRNA expression (p < 0.05). Above all, PFA supplementation into the broilers' diet improved growth performance, inhibited inflammatory responses, and benefited liver protection. The protective effects of PFA on the liver might be related to inhibition of caspase-1-induced pyroptosis via inactivating the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome axis in broiler chickens.

Effects of Feeding 5-Aminolevulinic Acid on Iron Status in Weaned Rats from the Female Rats during Gestation and Lactation.

Using female Sprague−Dawley (SD) rats as a model, the current study aimed to investigate whether feeding 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) to female SD rats during gestation and lactation can affect the iron status of weaned rats and provide new ideas for the iron supplementation of piglets. A total of 27 pregnant SD rats were randomly assigned to three treatments in nine replicates, with one rat per litter. Dietary treatments were basal diet (CON), CON + 50 mg/kg 5-ALA (5-ALA50), and CON + 100 mg/kg 5-ALA (5-ALA100). After parturition, ten pups in each litter (a total of 270) were selected for continued feeding by their corresponding mother, and the pregnant rats were fed diets containing 5-ALA (0, 50 and 100 mg/kg diet) until the newborn pups were weaned at 21 days. The results showed that the number of red blood cells (RBCs) in weaned rats in the 5-ALA100 group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in the CON or 5-ALA50 group. The diet with 5-ALA significantly increased (p < 0.05) the hemoglobin (HGB) concentration, hematocrit (HCT) level, serum iron (SI) content, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) level in the blood of weaned rats, as well as the concentration of Hepcidin in the liver and serum of weaned rats and the expression of Hepcidin mRNA in the liver of weaned rats, with the 5-ALA100 group having the highest (p < 0.05) HGB concentration in the weaned rats, and the 5-ALA50 group having the highest (p < 0.05) Hepcidin concentration in serum and in the expression of Hepcidin mRNA in the liver of weaned rats. The other indicators between the 5-ALA groups had no effects. However, the level of total iron binding capacity (TIBC) was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the 5-ALA50 group. Moreover, the iron content in the liver of weaned rats fed with 5-ALA showed an upward trend (p = 0.085). In addition, feeding a 5-ALA-supplemented diet could also significantly reduce (p < 0.05) the expression of TfR1 mRNA in the liver of weaning rats (p < 0.05), and the expression of Tfr1 was not affected between 5-ALA groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 5-ALA could improve the blood parameters, increase the concentration of Hepcidin in the liver and serum, and affect the expression of iron-related genes in the liver of weaned rats. Moreover, it is appropriate to add 50 mg/kg 5-ALA to the diet under this condition.