The antioxidative effect of plant extracts rich in polyphenols differs between liver and muscle tissues in rats fed n-3 PUFA rich diets

Effect of feeding carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pulp powder to broiler chicken on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, carcass traits, and meat quality

In this study, the influence of a partial substitution of corn with carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pulp powder on broiler performance, intestinal microbiota, carcass traits, and meat quality, was investigated. Two dietary treatments were compared: the control group received a diet containing basically corn, soybean meal, and wheat bran for all the breeding periods while the experimental group received the same starter diet as the control group and grower and finisher diets containing 3% and 7% of carob pulp powder, respectively. Growth performance (weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio), carcass traits, lactic acid bacteria, and total coliforms were determined. Physicochemical parameters, proximate composition, fatty acid profiles, lipid oxidation index, and sensory characteristics of broiler thigh and breast muscles were determined. Dietary supplementation with carob pulp powder did not show an effect (P > 0.05) on growth performance and carcass traits except for slaughter yield and breast relative weight. An increase in sum lactic acid bacteria count and a decrease in total coliforms were observed in the experimental group. No effect (P > 0.05) of dietary carob was observed on pH, cooking losses, ash, mineral, and protein contents in breast and thigh muscles from broilers. However, the experimental diet decreased (P < 0.05) moisture and fat contents in thigh muscles but not in breast muscles. Both muscles from the experimental group of birds exhibited lower palmitic and oleic acids contents, and higher linoleic and linolenic acids levels than those from the control group. Whereas the polyunsaturated fatty acid contents in broiler breast and thigh meat was increased by dietary carob, the concentration of lipid oxidation products decreased in this group. The dietary intervention had no significant effect on the sensory profile of breast and thigh muscles. Thus, carob pulp powder can be applied to broiler diet at 7% as a nonconventional feed with no negative impact on growth performance and carcass traits and to increase the degree of unsaturation with no negative impact on oxidative stability or sensory traits.

Condensed Tannins as Antioxidants in Ruminants-Effectiveness and Action Mechanisms to Improve Animal Antioxidant Status and Oxidative Stability of Products

Condensed tannins (CTs) are widely distributed in plants, and due to their recognized antioxidant activity are considered as possible natural antioxidants for application in ruminant diets. A wide range of CT-rich sources has been tested in ruminant diets, and their effects on animal antioxidant status and oxidative stability of their products are reviewed in the present work. Possible mechanisms underlying the CT antioxidant effects in ruminants are also discussed, and the CT chemical structure is briefly presented. Utilization of CT-rich sources in ruminant feeding can improve the animals' antioxidant status and oxidative stability of their products. However, the results are still inconsistent. Although poorly understood, the evidence suggests that CTs can induce an antioxidant effect in living animals and in their products through direct and indirect mechanisms, which can occur by an integrated and synergic way involving: (i) absorption of CTs with low molecular weight or metabolites, despite CTs' poor bioavailability; (ii) antioxidant action on the gastrointestinal tract; and (iii) interaction with other antioxidant agents. Condensed tannins are alternative dietary antioxidants for ruminants, but further studies should be carried out to elucidate the mechanism underlying the antioxidant activity of each CT source to design effective antioxidant strategies based on the use of CTs in ruminant diets.

Quality indices and sensory attributes of beef from steers offered grass silage and a concentrate supplemented with dried citrus pulp

This study investigated the quality composition, oxidative stability and sensory attributes of beef (longissimus thoracis, LT) from steers offered grass silage and a concentrate supplement in which barley was replaced by 40% and 80% (as-fed basis) of dried citrus pulp (DCP). Dietary treatment did not influence the antioxidant status (α-tocopherol and total phenolic contents) and activities of LT (radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power and iron chelating activity). Feeding DCP significantly increased the proportion of conjugated linoleic acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids in beef. Lipid and colour stability of fresh beef patties stored in modified atmosphere packs (MAP) were unaffected by dietary treatment but feeding 40% DCP reduced (P < .05) lipid oxidation in aerobically-stored cooked beef patties. Beef patties stored in MAP for up to 7 days were assessed by sensory panellists to be juicier for those fed 40% DCP compared to 0% and 80% DCP. Results indicated that substitution of barley with DCP improved the fatty acid profiles of beef without negatively influencing the eating quality of beef.

Dataset of lipids, antioxidative status and color attributes in cows meat from slaughter to storage: Impacts of diet supplementations and pre-slaughter stress

This data article presents a dataset with 34 values of the fatty acids composition and of indicators of lipid oxidation determined in the Longissimus dorsi and Semitendinosus from 71 Normand cull-cows at slaughter, after muscle aging and after meat storage periods under different packaging conditions. Cows were subjected to 3 feeding diets and 2 slaughter protocols relative to pre-slaughter stress. The indicators of lipids, FA composition, antioxidative enzymes activities, antioxidative status and global lipid oxidation of the muscles, and meat at different time points and under different aging and storage conditions, may be used to increase our understanding of the evolution of oxidation and consequences on color development. The last research article published on part of these data [1] is available for some interpretive insights: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.125668.

Increasing the α-tocopherol content and lipid oxidative stability of meat through dietary Cistus ladanifer L. in lamb fed increasing levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid rich vegetable oils

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the dietary inclusion of Cistus ladanifer L. and vegetable oils on intramuscular fat composition, muscle antioxidant status and lipid oxidative stability, and explore the mechanism by which dietary Cistus ladanifer limits the lipid oxidation. Lambs were assigned 9 diets, corresponding to 3 levels of Cistus ladanifer (50, 100 and 200 g/kg DM) and 3 levels of oil (0, 40 and 80 g/kg DM). Oil supplementation increased highly peroxidizable fatty acid content and the peroxidizability index (P < .05). Muscle phenolic content, reducing ability and radical scavenging ability were not affected by Cistus ladanifer (P > .05). The highest level of Cistus ladanifer enhanced muscle resistance to lipid oxidation (P = .006) and increased α-tocopherol content (P = .005), reducing meat lipid oxidation over 7 days of storage (P < .001). Results showed that Cistus ladanifer has a protective effect against lipid oxidation through increasing α-tocopherol concentration in the muscle.

Effect of Chestnut Tannins and Short Chain Fatty Acids as Anti-Microbials and as Feeding Supplements in Broilers Rearing and Meat Quality

Simple Summary

The poultry industry needs to replace antibiotics with natural or synthetic compounds able to overcome problems linked to the development of bacterial resistance. Tannins and short chain fatty acids are valid alternatives to contrast the growth of pathogens. However, tannins may induce detrimental effects on animal performances, especially in monogastrics, causing damage on gut villi. In contrast, short chain fatty acids are very efficient in influencing positively the morphology of small intestine wall. Hence, the aim of this trial was to develop a feeding strategy for broiler rearing, based on the use of chestnut tannins and short chain fatty acids administered as blends. No differences in animal performances or in meat quality were found among feeding groups. The results suggested that the mix of these supplements did not have negative effects on the productive performances, representing a promising alternative to antibiotics. However, further investigation is needed to better understand the effects of these supplements on animals in stress conditions.

Abstract

Chestnut tannins (CT) and saturated short medium chain fatty acids (SMCFA) are valid alternatives to contrast the growth of pathogens in poultry rearing, representing a valid alternative to antibiotics. However, the effect of their blends has never been tested. Two blends of CT extract and Sn1-monoglycerides of SMCFA (SN1) were tested in vitro against the proliferation of Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella typhymurium, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni. The tested concentrations were: 3.0 g/kg of CT; 3.0 g/kg of SN1; 2.0 g/kg of CT and 1.0 g/kg of SN1; 1.0 g/kg of CT and 2.0 g/kg of SN1. Furthermore, their effect on broiler performances and meat quality was evaluated in vivo: one-hundred Ross 308 male birds were fed a basal diet with no supplement (control group) or supplemented with CT or SN1 or their blends at the same concentration used in the in vitro trial. The in vitro assay confirmed the effectiveness of the CT and SN1 mixtures in reducing the growth of the tested bacteria while the in vivo trial showed that broiler performances, animal welfare and meat quality were not negatively affected by the blends, which could be a promising alternative in replacing antibiotics in poultry production.

Addition of exogenous enzymes to diets containing grape pomace: Effects on intestinal utilization of catechins and antioxidant status of chickens

Grape pomace (GP) is a rich source of polyphenols with antioxidant capacity. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of GP phenolic compounds included at 5 and 10%, and the addition (individually or combined) of hydrolyzing enzymes (carbohydrase enzyme complex and tannase at 500ppm) on intestinal utilization of catechins and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. A diet supplemented with 200ppm of α-tocopheryl acetate was also used. Our findings demonstrate the capacity of chickens to digest the monomeric (catechin, epicatechin, gallic acid, and epicatechin-O-gallate) and dimeric (procyanidin B1 and procyanidin B2) catechins present in grape pomace. The addition of enzymes (mainly tannase) hydrolyzed the polymeric structures into smaller catechins, but also promoted a lower digestibility of the monomeric and dimeric catechins suggesting that polymeric structures might favour the intestinal utilization of these catechins. The intestinal accumulation of phenolic compounds generated with tannase and with 10% GP reversed the antimicrobial effect against Clostridium perfringens observed with 5% of GP. Grape pomace improved the antioxidant status of the bird, increasing the α-tocopherol and reducing the iron content on plasma, not affecting the plasma gluthatione. Enzymes modified the intestinal utilization of catechins but not additional protective effect was detected on any of the parameters analyzed to evaluate the antioxidant status.

The combined action of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and grape proanthocyanidins on a rat model of diet-induced metabolic alterations

It has been suggested that food components such as ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) and (poly)phenols counteract diet-induced metabolic alterations by common or complementary mechanisms. To examine the effects of a combination of ω-3 PUFAs and (poly)phenols on such alterations, adult Wistar-Kyoto rats were fed an obesogenic high-fat high-sucrose diet supplemented, or not, for 24 weeks with: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 1 : 1 (16.6 g kg(-1) feed); proanthocyanidin-rich grape seed extract (GSE, 0.8 g kg(-1) feed); or EPA/DHA 1 : 1 + GSE. Body weight, feed intake, and plasma glucose were evaluated every 6 weeks, while adipose tissue weight, insulin, glucagon, ghrelin, leptin, adiponectin, cholesterol, and triglycerides were evaluated at the end of the experiment. ω-3 PUFAs reduced plasma leptin and cholesterol levels, but did not modify diet-induced perigonadal fat or plasma insulin levels; while GSE increased plasma triglyceride levels. The combined action of ω-3 PUFAs and the proanthocyanidins reduced plasma insulin and leptin, as well as partially prevented perigonadal fat accumulation. While separate supplementation with ω-3 PUFAs or grape proanthocyanidins may not counteract all the key metabolic changes induced by a high-energy-dense diet, the combination of both supplements reverts altered insulin, leptin and triglyceride levels to normal.

Phenolic compounds: their journey after intake

Plant foods are rich in phenolic compounds (PCs) that display multifaceted bioactions in health promotion and disease prevention. To exert their bioactivity, they must be delivered to and absorbed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, transported in circulation, and reach the target tissues. During the journey from ingestion to target tissues and final excretion, PCs are subjected to modifications by many factors during their absorption, deposition, metabolism and excretion (ADME) and consequently their bioefficacy may be modified. Consistent with all nutrients in foods, PCs must first be released from the food matrix through mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic forces to facilitate absorption along the GI tract, particularly in the upper small intestine section. Further, glycosylation of PCs directs the route of their absorption with glycones being transported through active transportation and aglycones through passive diffusion. After enteral absorption, the majority of PCs are extensively transformed by the detoxification system in enterocytes and liver for excretion in bile, feces, and urine. The journey of PCs from consumption to excretion appears to be comparable to many synthetic medications, but with some dissimilarities in their fate and bioactivity after phase I and II metabolism. The overall bioavailability of PCs is determined mainly by chemical characteristics, bioaccessibility, and ADME. In this review, factors accounting for variation in PCs bioavailability are discussed because this information is crucial for validation of the health benefits of PCs and their mechanism of action.

Effects of supplemental levels of bazhen on growth performances, serum traits, immunity, meat quality and antioxidant activity of taiwan country chickens

One hundred and sixty Taiwan country chickens (d-old chicks) were randomly assigned into four groups with four replicates and equal sex. Basal diets were supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% of Bazhen powder, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine complex. The study was conducted for 14 wks. Experimental results indicated that Bazhen supplement did not influence feed intake, body weight gain and feed:gain ratio. Compared with control group, the percentage of serum HDL (high-density lipoprotein) linearly increased (p<0.03) and that of VLDL+LDL (very low-density+low-density lipoprotein) linearly decreased (p<0.03) in Bazhen supplemented groups, that 2% Bazhen was significantly different with control group (p<0.05). Chickens fed diets containing 2% Bazhen displayed reduced (p<0.05) serum GOT (glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase) levels. The IgG, γ-globulin levels and PHA (phytohemagglutinin) skin challenge results in 1% Bazhan supplemented group were higher (p<0.05) than in the control group, the SRBC (sheep red blood cell) and ND (newcastle disease) titers in Bazhen supplemented groups were linear higher (p<0.05) than in the control group. The liver catalase activity and the capacity of scavenging DPPH (α-α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl) radical were linearly increased (p<0.03) in Bazhen supplemented groups, and the 1 and 2% groups were different from the control group (p<0.05). Liver TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) levels in all Bazhen supplemented groups and total glutathione level in the 2% group were reduced (p<0.05) compared to the control group and displayed a linear response (p<0.05). The TBA (thiobarbituric acid) and pH value of the breast muscle after 24 h post-mortem in the Bazhen supplemented groups was linear lower (p<0.05) than in the control group. Results from this study demonstrated that Bazhen supplement in chicken had several beneficial effects, including increased SRBC and ND titers, HDL and IgG, γ-globulin levels, PHA skin challenge result, decreased VLDL+LDL and GOT levels, and displayed antioxidation effects in serum and carcass meat parameters.

Ameliorative effects of thyme and calendula extracts alone or in combination against aflatoxins-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in rat liver

The aims of the current work were to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of calendula flowers and/or thyme leave extracts on aflatoxins (AFs)-induced oxidative stress, genotoxicity and alteration of p53 bax and bcl2 gene expressions. Eighty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight equal groups including: the control group, the group fed AFs-contaminated diet (2.5 mg/kg diet) for 5 weeks, the groups treated orally with thyme and/or calendula extract (0.5 g/kg b.w) for 6 weeks and the groups pretreated orally with thyme and/or calendula extract 1 week before and during AFs treatment for further 5 weeks. Blood, liver and bone marrow samples were collected for biochemical analysis, gene expression, DNA fragmentation and micronucleus assay. The results showed that AFs induced significant alterations in oxidative stress markers, increased serum AFP and inflammatory cytokine, percentage of DNA fragmentation, the expression of pro-apoptotic gene p53 and bax accompanied with a decrease in the expression of bcl2. Animals treated with the extracts 1 week before AFs treatment showed a significant decrease in oxidative damage markers, micronucleated cells, DNA fragmentation and modulation of the expression of pro-apoptotic genes. These results suggested that both calendula and thyme extracts had anti-genotoxic effects due to their higher content of total phenolic compounds.

Antioxidant potential of barley extract in rats subjected to a high-fat diet

Antioxidants have the ability to neutralize free radicals produced in the body during lipid oxidation. The objective in this article was to study the effect of the barley extract on lipid oxidation in rats subjected to a high-fat diet. The experiment lasted 67 days. The animals were separated into three experimental groups: standard (P), high-fat diet group (L), and group with high-fat diet supplemented with barley extract (C). The feed intake of L and C groups was the lowest (p < 0.05). The treatments did not influence weight gain, organ weight, and the blood parameters measured. However, the levels of malondialdehyde present in the liver tissue were higher in the L group and lower in the P and C groups. Therefore, the results indicated an increased level of lipid peroxidation in the liver of rats subjected to high-fat diet, which was reduced by the consumption of barley.

Dietary Supplementation of Calendula officinalis Counteracts the Oxidative Stress and Liver Damage Resulted from Aflatoxin

This study was conducted to evaluate the total phenolic compounds, the antioxidant properties, and the hepatorenoprotective potential of Calendula officinalis extract against aflatoxins (AFs-) induced liver damage. Six groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated for 6 weeks included the control; the group fed AFs-contaminated diet (2.5 mg/kg diet); the groups treated orally with Calendula extract at low (CA1) and high (CA2) doses (500 and 1000 mg/kg b.w); the groups treated orally with CA1 and CA2 one week before and during AFs treatment for other five weeks. The results showed that the ethanol extract contained higher phenolic compounds and posses higher 1,1-diphenyl 1-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity than the aqueous extract. Animals fed AFs-contaminated diet showed significant disturbances in serum biochemical parameters, inflammatory cytokines, and the histological and histochemical pictures of the liver accompanied by a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver. Calendula extract succeeded to improve the biochemical parameters, inflammatory cytokines, decreased the oxidative stress, and improved the histological pictures in the liver of rats fed AFs-contaminated diet in a dose-dependent manner. It could be concluded that Calendula extract has potential hepatoprotective effects against AFs due to its antioxidant properties and radical scavenging activity.

Addition of seaweed (Laminaria digitata) extracts containing laminarin and fucoidan to porcine diets: influence on the quality and shelf-life of fresh pork

A seaweed extract containing laminarin (L) and fucoidan (F) (L/F) was manufactured from brown seaweed (Laminaria digitata) in spray-dried (L/F-SD) and wet (L/F-WS) forms. The effect of supplementation of pig diets with L/F-SD and L/F-WS (L, 500 mg/kg feed; F, 420 mg/kg feed) for 21 days pre-slaughter, on quality indices of fresh M. longissimus dorsi (LD) steaks was examined. Susceptibility of porcine liver, heart, kidney and lung tissue homogenates to iron-induced (1mM FeSO₄) lipid oxidation was also investigated. Dietary supplementation with L/F did not increase plasma total antioxidant status (TAS). In LD steaks stored in modified atmosphere packs (80% O₂:20% CO₂) (MAP) for up to 15 days at 4 °C, muscle pH, surface colour (CIE 'L*' lightness, 'a*' redness and 'b*' yellowness values) and microbiology (psychrotrophic and mesophilic counts, log CFU/g pork) were unaffected by dietary L/F. In general, levels of lipid oxidation (TBARS, mg MDA (malondialdehyde)/kg pork) followed the order: C>LF-SD>L/F-WS. A statistically significant reduction in lipid oxidation (P<0.05) was observed in LD steaks from 75% of pigs (n=6) fed with L/F-WS compared to controls. Iron-induced lipid oxidation increased in liver, heart, kidney and lung tissue homogenates over the 24h storage period and dietary L/F-WS reduced lipid oxidation to the greatest extent in liver tissue homogenates. Results demonstrate potential for the incorporation of marine-derived bioactive antioxidant components into muscle foods via the animal's diet.

Food restriction and refeeding in lambs influence muscle antioxidant status

Compensatory growth, a frequent phenomenon observed in ruminants due to seasonal variation in food availability, affects protein metabolism including protein oxidation. These oxidation processes may have an impact on animal health as well as on meat protein degradation during post mortem aging (ie meat maturation). Sixteen male lambs were randomly divided into four groups. One group was fed ad libitum (C) and one group was food-restricted to 60% of the intake of the C group (R). The last two groups were restricted similarly to the R group and refed either ad libitum (RAL) or similarly to the C group (pair-feeding) (RPF). Muscles samples were taken immediately after slaughter. The present study showed that the restriction/refeeding pattern had no effect on protein oxidation in the muscles studied (longissimus dorsi (LD), semitendinosus (ST) and supraspinatus (SP)). However, total antioxidant capacity decreased after food restriction (-51%, -43%, P < 0.01 for ST and LD muscles, respectively) and re-increased only after ad libitum refeeding. This alteration in the total antioxidant status can partially be explained by the similar pattern of change observed in the glutathione concentration of the muscles (-25%, P < 0.05 for ST muscle and NS for the other muscles). However, none of the concentrations of other water-soluble antioxidants studied (carnosine, anserine, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) were altered during compensatory growth. This study showed that an inappropriate feeding level following a nutritional stress induced alterations in the total antioxidant status (particularly that of glutathione), which may have consequences on animal health. Other consequences of a decrease of the animal antioxidant status in vivo could be an alteration of the protein oxidation processes during meat maturation.

Mammary gene expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes and concentration of the mammalian lignan enterolactone in milk and plasma of dairy cows fed flax lignans and infused with flax oil in the abomasum

The objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of flax hulls and/or flax oil on the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)) in plasma and the mammary gland and the relative mRNA abundance of antioxidant genes in the mammary gland of dairy cows. A total of eight dairy cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. There were four treatments: control with no flax hulls (CONT), 9·88 % flax hulls in the DM (HULL), control with 500 g flax oil/d infused in the abomasum (COFO), 9·88 % flax hulls in the DM and 500 g flax oil/d infused in the abomasum (HUFO). Plasma GPX activity tended to decrease with flax oil supplementation. Cows fed HULL had higher levels of CAT, GPX1 and SOD1 mRNA in the mammary gland and lower mRNA abundance of GPX3, SOD2 and SOD3 compared with those fed CONT. Abundance of CAT, GPX1, GPX3, SOD2 and SOD3 mRNA was down-regulated in the mammary gland of cows fed HUFO compared to those fed CONT. The mRNA abundance of CAT, GPX1, GPX3 and SOD3 was lower in the mammary gland of cows fed COFO than in the mammary gland of cows fed CONT. The present study demonstrates that flax hulls contribute to increasing the abundance of some antioxidant genes, which can contribute to protecting against oxidative stress damage occurring in the mammary gland and other tissues of dairy cows.

Natural polyphenols may ameliorate damage induced by copper overload

The effect of the simultaneous exposure to transition metals and natural antioxidants frequently present in food is a question that needs further investigation. We aimed to explore the possible use of the natural polyphenols caffeic acid (CA), resveratrol (RES) and curcumin (CUR) to prevent damages induced by copper-overload on cellular molecules in HepG2 and A-549 human cells in culture. Exposure to 100μM/24h copper (Cu) caused extensive pro-oxidative damage evidenced by increased TBARS, protein carbonyls and nitrite productions in both cell types. Damage was aggravated by simultaneous incubation with 100μM of CA or RES, and it was also reflected in a decrease on cellular viability explored by trypan blue dye exclusion test and LDH leakage. Co-incubation with CUR produced opposite effects demonstrating a protective action which restored the level of biomarkers and cellular viability almost to control values. Thus, while CA and RES might aggravate the oxidative/nitrative damage of Cu, CUR should be considered as a putative protective agent. These results could stimulate further research on the possible use of natural polyphenols as neutralizing substances against the transition metal over-exposure in specific populations such as professional agrochemical sprayers and women using Cu-intrauterine devices.

Effects of Chinese traditional herbal medicine complex supplementation on the growth performance, immunity and serum traits of pigs

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine complex supplementation on the growth performance, immunity and serological traits of pigs, and the feasibility of its use as a substitute for antibiotics. Thirty-six weaned pigs LYD with average initial body weight of 10 ± 0.55 kg were randomly divided into three treatments with three replicates. These constituted the control, the antibiotics group (chlortetracycline 100 µg/kg, oxytetracycline 100 µg/kg), and 0.3% Chinese herbal medicine complex group (CHM). Experiment results indicated that the CHM group exhibited significantly increased average feed intake and peripheral blood CD3(+)CD8(+) T cell percentage as compared with those of the antibiotics group (P < 0.05). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) level was greater while low-density lipoprotein + very low-density lipoprotein (LDL + VLDL) level was lower in the CHM group than the control group (P < 0.05). The in vitro results indicated that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated by Con-A produced a greater interleukin (IL)-6 level in the CHM group and IL-6 level stimulated by lipopolysaccharide was greater than the antibiotics groups (P < 0.05). Above all, this study has indicated that the addition of Chinese traditional herbal complex to pigs' diets has beneficial results.

The comparison of in vivo antigenotoxic and antioxidative capacity of two propylene glycol extracts of Calendula officinalis (marigold) and vitamin E in young growing pigs

The objective of the study was to evaluate the protective effect of Calendula officinalis propylene glycol extracts against oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation induced by high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake in young growing pigs. Forty young growing pigs were assigned to five treatment groups: control; oil (linseed oil supplementation); C. officinalis 1 and 2 groups (linseed oil plus 3 ml/day of C. officinalis propylene glycol extracts); and vitamin E group (linseed oil plus 100 mg/kg of vitamin E). Lymphocyte DNA fragmentation and 24-h urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) excretion were measured to determine DNA damage. Lipid peroxidation was studied by analysing plasma and urine malondialdehyde (MDA), and urine isoprostane concentrations (iPF2α-VI), total antioxidant status of plasma and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) assays. C. officinalis 1 (extract from petals) effectively protected DNA from oxidative damage. It indicated a numerical trend towards the reduction of plasma MDA and urinary iPF2α-VI excretion. Its effect was comparable with that of vitamin E. C. officinalis 2 (extract from flower tops) showed less antioxidant potential than the extract from petals. We can conclude that the amount of C. officinalis extracts proposed for internal use by traditional medicine protects the organism against DNA damage induced by high PUFA intake.

Absorption, distribution and elimination of carnosic acid, a natural antioxidant from Rosmarinus officinalis, in rats

The absorption, distribution and elimination of carnosic acid, the main antioxidant found in rosemary was studied, in vivo, in rats. Therefore, carnosic acid was administrated in a single dose, intravenously (20.5 ± 4.2 mg/kg) and orally (64.3 ± 5.8 mg/kg), to four and nine rats, respectively. Blood samples were collected at different time points, and plasma concentrations of carnosic acid were determined using LC-MS. Furthermore, total collection of urine and feces was done during 4 h and 24 h for the intravenous and oral administrations, respectively. After euthanizing the rats, intestinal content, liver and muscle tissue were sampled to determine carnosic acid concentrations. The bioavailability of carnosic acid, after 360 min, was 40.1%. Traces of carnosic acid were found in the rats intestinal content, liver and muscle tissue of abdomen and legs. The recovery of carnosic acid in the feces, 24 h after oral administration, was 15.6 ± 8.2%. Carnosic acid is absorbed into the bloodstream after oral administration in rats and is therefore bioavailable. It was found that carnosic acid in vivo is present in its free form and that its main elimination route is the fecal route.