Effects of resveratrol on lipid metabolism in muscle and adipose tissues: A reevaluation in a pig model

Effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on cholesterol metabolism and antioxidant status in finishing pigs

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) is a natural polyphenolic compound, which plays an important role in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of GSPE supplementation on the cholesterol metabolism and antioxidant status of finishing pigs. In longissimus dorse (LD) muscle, the data showed that GSPE significantly decreased the contents of total cholesterol (T-CHO) and triglyceride (TG), and decreased the mRNA expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR) and Fatty acid synthase (FAS), while increased the mRNA expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1b (CPT1b), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARα) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). GSPE also reduced the enzyme activities of HMG-CoAR and FAS, and meanwhile amplified the activity of CPT1b in LD muscle of finishing pigs. Furthermore, dietary GSPE supplementation increased the serum catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), serum and liver total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels, while reduced serum and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) level in finishing pigs. In the liver, Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), Nuclear Factor erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (NRF2) mRNA levels were increased by GSPE. In conclusion, this study showed that GSPE might be an effective dietary supplement for improving cholesterol metabolism and antioxidant status in finishing pigs.

The role of uterus mitochondrial function in high-fat diet-related adverse pregnancy outcomes and protection by resveratrol

This study elucidates the mechanism of obesity-related adverse pregnancy outcomes and further investigates the effect of resveratrol on reproductive performance in a short- or long-term HFD-induced obese mouse model. Results show that maternal weight had a significant positive correlation with litter mortality in mice. A long-term HFD increased body weight and litter mortality with decreased expression of uterine cytochrome oxidase 4 (COX4), which was recovered by resveratrol in mice. Moreover, HFD decreased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factors-1 (Nrf-1), and phosphorylated adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) and increased the expression of phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK) in the uterus. Resveratrol, a polyphenol that can directly bind to the ERK protein, suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK, increased the expression of p-AMPK, PGC-1α and Nrf-1, and decreased litter mortality in mice.

The Epidemiology of Berry Consumption and Association of Berry Consumption with Diet Quality and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in United States Adults: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003-2018

BACKGROUND

Berries are rich in important nutrients and bioactive compounds, which could potentially contribute to maintenance of normal lipid and glucose profiles.

OBJECTIVE

We reported the epidemiology of berry consumption and examined associations of berry consumption with diet quality [measured by Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015)] and levels of cardiometabolic risk factors, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol), glycated hemoglobin, and fasting biomarkers: triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol), glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

METHODS

We evaluated 33,082 adults (aged ≥20 y) using two 24-h diet recalls from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003-2018). Multivariable linear regression models were applied to examine the associations of total and individual berry intake with diet quality and cardiometabolic risk factors using appropriate sample weights.

RESULTS

Approximately 25 % of the United States adults consumed berries (0.08 ± 0.003 cup-equivalents/d), representing ∼10 % of the daily mean total fruit intake. Among berry consumers, the mean intake of strawberries (0.31 ± 0.01 cup-equivalents) was higher than for other berries. Berry consumers had a significantly higher HEI-2015 score than nonconsumers (mean HEI-2015 score = 58.8 compared with 52.3, P < 0.0001). Berry consumers had significantly lower concentrations of cardiometabolic indices than nonconsumers, including BMI, WC, SBP, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and higher mean HDL cholesterol, after adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and dietary confounders (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

United States adult berry consumers had a higher diet quality and lower concentrations of cardiometabolic risk factors, suggesting a favorable role for berries in diets and cardiometabolic disease prevention in United States adult population.

Mechanism of rhubarb in the treatment of hyperlipidemia: A recent review

Hyperlipidemia is a metabolic disorder, which is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, stroke, and coronary heart disease. Although lipid-lowering treatments have been extensively studied, safer treatments with fewer adverse effects are needed. Rhubarb is a traditional Chinese medicine that has lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Disturbance in lipid metabolism is the basis of tissue damage caused by hyperlipidemia and plays a key role in the development of hyperlipidemia; however, the molecular mechanisms by which rhubarb regulates lipid metabolism to lower lipid levels are yet to be elucidated. We conducted this study to summarize the phytochemical constituents of Rheum officinale and provide a comprehensive review of the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of lipid metabolism during hyperlipidemia treatment. It was found that rhubarb extracts, including emodin, rhubarb acid, and rhubarb phenol, regulate total cholesterol, triglyceride, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels through signaling pathways such as C/EBP α, 3T3-L1, PPAR α, and AMPK, thereby improving the hyperlipidemic state. This suggests that rhubarb is a natural drug with lipid-lowering potential, and an in-depth exploration of its lipid-lowering mechanism can provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Effect of Resveratrol on Markers of Oxidative Stress and Sirtuin 1 in Elderly Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects a large part of the adult population and impairs its quality of life. Because of this, natural compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic properties have been used as adjuvants. Among these compounds, resveratrol (RV) stands out, a polyphenol that has been studied in several clinical trials, the results of which are controversial. We conducted a randomized clinical trial on 97 older adults with T2D to evaluate the effect of RV on oxidative stress markers and sirtuin 1, using doses of 1000 mg/day (EG1000, n = 37) and 500 mg/day (EG500, n = 32) compared with a placebo (PG, n = 28). Biochemical markers, oxidative stress and sirtuin 1 levels were measured at baseline and after six months. We observed a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant gap, the percentage of subjects without oxidant stress and sirtuin 1 levels in EG1000. In the PG, we observed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in lipoperoxides, isoprostanes and C-reactive protein levels. An increase in the oxidative stress score and in the percentage of subjects with mild and moderate oxidative stress was observed too. Our findings suggest that 1000 mg/day of RV exerts a more efficient antioxidant effect than 500 mg/day.

Resveratrol alleviates oxidative stress induced by oxidized soybean oil and improves gut function via changing gut microbiota in weaned piglets

BACKGROUND

Oxidized soybean oil (OSO) has been shown to impair growth and exacerbate inflammation, leading to intestinal barrier injury in animals. Recent evidence suggests important roles for resveratrol (RES) in the promoting growth performance, antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory, and regulate intestinal barriers in animals. Therefore, The objectives of this study are to investigate the effects of dietary RES (purity 98%) supplementation on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, inflammatory state, and intestinal function of weaned piglets challenged with OSO.

METHODS

A total of 28 castrated weaned male piglets with a similar body weight of 10.19 ± 0.10 kg were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments for 28-d feeding trial with 7 replications per treatment and 1 piglet per replicate. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial with oil type [3% fresh soybean oil (FSO) vs. 3% OSO] and dietary RES (0 vs. 300 mg/kg).

RESULTS

The results showed that relative to the FSO group, OSO stress tended to decrease the average daily feed intake (ADFI), and decreased the activity levels of lipase, villus/crypt ratio (VCR), the mRNA expression of FABP1, SOD2, IL-10 and ZO-1 in the jejunum, and SOD2, GPX1, occludin and ZO-1 in the colon, the levels of acetic acid in the colonic digesta, whereas up-regulated the mRNA expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary supplementation with RES increased ether extract (EE), the activity levels of sucrase, lipase, α-amylase, villus height (VH) and VCR, the mRNA expression of FABP1, SOD2, IL-10 and occludin in the jejunum, and FABP1, PPAR-γ, GPX1, occludin and ZO-1 in the colon, and the abundance of Firmicutes, acetic and propionic acid, but decreased the levels of D-lactic acid in the plasma, the abundance of Bacteroidetes in the colonic digesta of weaned piglets compared to the non-RES group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, in the interaction effect analysis, relative to the OSO group, dietary RES supplementation in the diets supplemented with OSO increased the activity levels of trypsin, VH in the jejunum, the abundance of Actinobacteria, the levels of butyric acid of weaned piglets, but failed to influence the activity levels of trypsin and VH, Actinobacteria abundance, the levels of butyric acid when diets were supplemented with FSO (interaction, P < 0.05). Relative to the OSO group, dietary RES supplementation in the diets supplemented with OSO decreased the activity levels of DAO in the plasma of weaned piglets but failed to influence the activity levels of DAO when diets were supplemented with FSO (interaction, P < 0.05). Relative to the FSO group, dietary RES supplementation in the diets supplemented with FSO decreased the level of propionic acid, whereas RES supplementation failed to influence the level of propionic acid when the diet was supplemented with OSO (interaction, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Inclusion of OSO intensified inflammatory states and impaired the intestinal health characteristics of weaned piglets. Dietary RES supplementation improved the antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory activity, and intestinal morphology. Further studies showed that the protective effects of RES on gut health could be linked to the decreased abundance of Prevotella_1, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_6, and Prevotellaceae_UCG003 and increased levels of acetic and propionic acid.

Impact of resveratrol-loaded liposomal nanocarriers on heat-stressed broiler chickens: Effects on performance, sirtuin expression, oxidative stress regulators, and muscle building factors

Climate change is considered to be the primary cause of heat stress (HS) in broiler chickens. Owing to the unique properties of extracted polyphenols, resveratrol-loaded liposomal nanoparticles (Resv-Lipo NPs) were first explored to mitigate the harmful effects of HS. The dietary role of Resv-Lipo NPs in heat-stressed birds was investigated based on their growth performance, antioxidative potential, and the expression of heat shock proteins, sirtuins, antioxidant, immune, and muscle-building related genes. A total of 250 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were divided into five experimental groups (5 replicates/group, 10 birds/replicate) for 42 days as follows: the control group was fed a basal diet and reared in thermoneutral conditions, and the other four HS groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with Resv-Lipo NPsI, II, and III at the levels of 0, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg diet, respectively. The results indicated that supplementation with Resv-Lipo NP improved the growth rate of the HS group. The Resv-Lipo NP group showed the most significant improvement in body weight gain (p &lt; 0.05) and FCR. Additionally, post-HS exposure, the groups that received Resv-Lipo NPs showed restored functions of the kidney and the liver as well as improvements in the lipid profile. The restoration occurred especially at higher levels in the Resv-Lipo NP group compared to the HS group. The elevated corticosterone and T3 and T4 hormone levels in the HS group returned to the normal range in the Resv-Lipo NPsIII group. Additionally, the HS groups supplemented with Resv-Lipo NPs showed an improvement in serum and muscle antioxidant biomarkers. The upregulation of the muscle and intestinal antioxidant-related genes (SOD, CAT, GSH-PX, NR-f2, and HO-1) and the muscle-building genes (myostatin, MyoD, and mTOR) was observed with increasing the level of Resv-Lipo NPs. Heat stress upregulated heat shock proteins (HSP) 70 and 90 gene expression, which was restored to normal levels in HS+Resv-Lipo NPsIII. Moreover, the expression of sirtuin 1, 3, and 7 (SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT7) genes was increased (p &lt; 0.05) in the liver of the HS groups that received Resv-Lipo NPs in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in the HS group was restored in the HS groups that received Resv-Lipo NPs. Supplementation with Resv-Lipo NPs can mitigate the harmful impact of HS and consequently improve the performance of broiler chickens.

Biological function of resveratrol and its application in animal production: a review

With the prohibition of antibiotics in feed, plant functional substances have been widely studied as feed additives. Resveratrol, a natural stilbene, and a non-flavonoid polyphenol found in plants, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory features. Resveratrol generated intense scientific and public interest, primarily due to its widely reported ability to prevent cancer, delay aging and alleviate related metabolic diseases. Recently, resveratrol has been studied and applied as a feed additive in animal production. This review focuses on the outline of the absorption and metabolism and biological functions of resveratrol and summarizes the application of dietary resveratrol in animal production up to the present, including pigs, poultry, and ruminants. In pigs, dietary resveratrol improved intestinal health, mitochondrial function, meat quality, and more. In poultry, studies have shown that dietary resveratrol improves growth performance and meat and egg quality and alleviates heat stress induced adverse effects. There are few studies on dietary resveratrol in ruminants; however previous studies have indicated that dietary resveratrol increases nutrient digestibility and reduces methane emissions in sheep. It is hoped that this review could provide a specific theoretical basis and research ideas for the research and application of resveratrol.

The Effect of Resveratrol on Blood Lipid Profile: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

(1) Background: The effects of resveratrol on blood lipids are controversial. Whether there is a dose-response of the lipid profile upon resveratrol supplementation is unknown. (2) Methods: This dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to explore the effects of resveratrol supplementation on lipid profile. A systematical and comprehensive search of several databases was conducted by 30 June 2022. (3) Results: The results indicated that the intake of resveratrol could significantly decrease the total cholesterol (TC) (mean difference = −10.28; 95%CI: −13.79, −6.76, p < 0.001), triglyceride (TG) (Mean difference = −856; 95%CI: −12.37, −4.75, p < 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (mean difference = −5.69; 95%CI: −11.07, −0.31, p = 0.038) level, but did not alter the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). In the non-linear dose−response analysis, we observed a significant effect of the supplementation dosage on the level of LDL-C (p-nonlinearity = 0.002). Results from the sub-group analysis showed that the reduction of LDL-C was more significant in the trials with a duration of ≥12 weeks and in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (4) Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that resveratrol may be beneficial to reduce TC, TG, and LDL-C levels in the blood. The dosage of the resveratrol intervention is an essential factor that affects the level of LDL-C.

Resveratrol Inhibits Proliferation and Differentiation of Porcine Preadipocytes by a Novel LincRNA-ROFM/miR-133b/AdipoQ Pathway

Resveratrol (RES) has a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities with various health benefits for humans as a food additive. In animal production, RES has been considered a potential functional feed additive for producing high-quality pork. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as essential regulators of fat metabolism, and phytochemicals can regulate fat metabolism through lncRNA. However, it is unclear whether RES can improve back-fat thickness by regulating lncRNA. In this study, we identified a novel lncRNA, which was named a long intergenic non-protein coding RNA, a regulator of fat metabolism (LincRNA-ROFM), from our previous lncRNA sequencing data. LincRNA-ROFM can inhibit adipocyte proliferation and differentiation. In-depth analyses showed that LincRNA-ROFM acts as a molecular sponge for miR-133b, and adiponectin (AdipoQ) is a direct target of miR-133b in porcine preadipocytes. In addition, the expression of LincRNA-ROFM was positively correlated with AdipoQ. RES can promote the expression of LincRNA-ROFM by PPARα and C/EBPα. Altogether, our research showed that LincRNA-ROFM acts as a ceRNA to sequester miR-133b and is upregulated by RES, leading to heightened AdipoQ expression, and thus decreased adipocyte proliferation and differentiation, which reduces back-fat thickness of pigs. Taken together, the RES/LincRNA-ROFM/miR-133b/AdipoQ regulatory network preliminarily explains the mechanism of action of RES in inhibiting fat deposition, which provides new insight into the downstream mechanism of RES inhibition of fat deposits by regulating the lncRNA.

The Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Resveratrol on Growth Performance, Carcass and Meat Quality, Blood Lipid Levels and Ruminal Microbiota in Fattening Goats

This study investigated the effects of resveratrol (RES) supplementation on the growth performance, carcass and meat quality, blood lipid levels and ruminal bacterial microbiota of fattening goats. A total of forty castrated Nubian goats (28.25 ± 0.26 kg body weight) were randomly divided into four groups and provided with diets containing different levels of RES (0, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) for 120 d. The results showed that RES increased redness and intramuscular fat content, whilst reducing shear force in the longissimus dorsi muscle of goats (p < 0.05). In addition, the final weight, average daily gain, hot carcass weight, net meat weight, carcass lean percentage and eye muscle area of goats were significantly increased in the 150 mg/kg RES group compared with the other three groups, while those in the 600 mg/kg RES group significantly decreased (p < 0.05). RES significantly decreased serum triacylglycerol and LDL-C contents (p < 0.05), and increased HDL-C content and the HDL-C/TC ratio (p < 0.05). Supplementation with 150 mg/kg RES also increased the proportion of Acetitomaculum and Moryella, genera comprising short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria. The present study indicated that an appropriate supplemental level of RES could improve the growth performance, neat percentage, meat quality, ruminal microbiota and serum lipid levels of fattening goats.

Potential impact of stocking density on growth, carcass traits, indicators of biochemical and oxidative stress and meat quality of different broiler breeds

The aim of the current study to investigate the potential impact of different stocking densities on growth performance, carcass traits, indicators of biochemical and oxidative stress and meat quality of Arbor Acres and Ross-308 broiler breeds to recommend the better stocking density with low production cost simultaneously with high quality. A total of 312 one-day old of each Arbor Acres broiler and Ross-308 were randomly classified into 3 experimental groups with different stocking density, each of 6 replicates. The first group (SD1) was 14 birds/m2 (28 kg/m2), while the second group (SD2) was 18 birds/m2 (36 kg/m2) and the third group (SD3) was 20 birds/m2 (40 kg/m2). The growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality hematological and biochemical parameters were measured. SD3 group possessed the lowest body weight. Alanine transaminase in Arbor Acres was 15 and 14% higher in SD3 when compared with SD1 and SD2, respectively. While, was 21 and 20% of Ross-308, respectively. SD3 revealed the highest values of cholesterol, TG, MDA, and LDL of both breeds when compared with SD1 and SD2, with the lowest levels of HDL, GPX, and IGG. Birds of SD3 was the nastiest carcass weight 873 (P = 0.000) and 1,411.60 g (P = 0.000); dressing percentage 63.07 (P = 0.000) and 75.83% (P = 0.000); breast weight 513.10 g (P = 0.000) and 885.50g (P = 0.000); thigh weight 359.90 g (P = 0.000) and 526.08 g (P = 0.000) when compared with SD1 and SD2 of Arbor Acres and Ross-308, respectively. The dressing % of SD1 and SD2 was approximately 19% better than that of SD3 of Arbor Acres, while it was 4% of Ross-308. The cooking loss and drip loss of breast and thigh muscles were higher in SD3 of both breeds. Moreover, SD3 possessed the highest bacterial count. In conclusion birds reared in medium stocking density revealed better performance and welfare than high density but similar to low density. Therefore, from the economic point, medium density was the best.

Lycopene modulates lipid metabolism in rats and their offspring under a high-fat diet

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lycopene supplementation on lipid metabolism in rats and their offspring. The experiment was conducted on 60 female rats divided into four groups: normal diet, normal diet with 200 mg kg^-1 lycopene, high-fat diet, and high-fat diet with 200 mg kg^-1 lycopene. The plasma levels of TG, LDL-C, AST and ALT in female rats fed a high-fat diet were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Lycopene supplementation reduced the plasma TG, LEP and AST levels (P < 0.05). In addition, the activity of ACC and mRNA expression of SREBP1c, FAS, PPARγ, CPT1, HMGCR, ACC, PLIN1 and FATP1 in the liver were also increased after feeding a high-fat diet (P < 0.05), whereas the expression of HSL was decreased (P < 0.05). Lycopene increased the activity of HSL and the expression of ATGL in the liver (P < 0.05), and the activity of ACC and mRNA expression of HMGCR and ACC were decreased (P < 0.05). For the offspring, maternal feeding of a high-fat diet reduced the plasma HDL-C levels (P < 0.05), but lycopene supplementation reduced the plasma TC levels (P < 0.05). Maternal high-fat diet also decreased the activity of HSL and the expression of CD36, PLIN1 and FATP1 in the liver while increasing the expression of PPARγ (P < 0.05). Maternal lycopene supplementation decreased the activities of ACC and FAS in the liver and decreased the expression of PPARγ, ACC and PLIN1 (P < 0.05). Maternal feeding of a high-fat diet increased the level of oxidative stress in the liver, the level of blood lipids in plasma and the rate of lipid production in the liver of rats and their offspring. Maternal lycopene supplementation can reduce the level of oxidative stress in rats and their offspring, reduce the level of blood lipids in plasma, and also reduce the rate of lipid production in the liver of rats and offspring.

Effects of dietary ferulic acid supplementation on growth performance and skeletal muscle fiber type conversion in weaned piglets

BACKGROUND

Ferulic acid (FA) is a common polyphenolic compound. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of dietary FA supplementation on growth performance and muscle fiber type conversion in weaned piglets. In this study, eighteen 21-day-old DLY (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) weaned piglets were randomly divided into control, 0.05% FA, and 0.45% FA groups.

RESULTS

Our study showed that dietary FA supplementation had no effect on growth performance, but it could upregulate the expression of slow myosin heavy chain (MyHC) protein, increase the activities of succinic dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase, and downregulate the expression of fast MyHC protein. Dietary FA supplementation also increased the expression levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase, sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), myocyte enhancer factor 2C, and troponin I-SS, increased the proportion of slow-twitch fiber, and decreased the proportion of fast-twitch fiber. In addition, our results showed that dietary FA supplementation increased the messenger RNA abundance of mitochondrial nuclear transcription genes, including ATP synthase membrane subunit c locus 1, cytochrome oxidase subunit 1, nuclear respiratory factor 1, mitochondrial transcription factor A, mitochondrial transcription factor B1, and cytochrome c.

CONCLUSION

We provided the first evidence that FA could promote muscle fiber type conversion from fast-twitch to slow-twitch via the Sirt1/AMP-activated protein kinase/PGC-1α signaling pathway and could improve the mitochondrial function in weaned piglets. This means that FA can be used as a dietary supplement to improve the quality of pork. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Discovering the Protective Effects of Resveratrol on Aflatoxin B1-Induced Toxicity: A Whole Transcriptomic Study in a Bovine Hepatocyte Cell Line

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a natural feed and food contaminant classified as a group I carcinogen for humans. In the dairy industry, AFB1 and its derivative, AFM1, are of concern for the related economic losses and their possible presence in milk and dairy food products. Among its toxic effects, AFB1 can cause oxidative stress. Thus, dietary supplementation with natural antioxidants has been considered among the strategies to mitigate AFB1 presence and its toxicity. Here, the protective role of resveratrol (R) has been investigated in a foetal bovine hepatocyte cell line (BFH12) exposed to AFB1, by measuring cytotoxicity, transcriptional changes (RNA sequencing), and targeted post-transcriptional modifications (lipid peroxidation, NQO1 and CYP3A enzymatic activity). Resveratrol reversed the AFB1-dependent cytotoxicity. As for gene expression, when administered alone, R induced neglectable changes in BFH12 cells. Conversely, when comparing AFB1-exposed cells with those co-incubated with R+AFB1, greater transcriptional variations were observed (i.e., 840 DEGs). Functional analyses revealed that several significant genes were involved in lipid biosynthesis, response to external stimulus, drug metabolism, and inflammatory response. As for NQO1 and CYP3A activities and lipid peroxidation, R significantly reverted variations induced by AFB1, mostly corroborating and/or completing transcriptional data. Outcomes of the present study provide new knowledge about key molecular mechanisms involved in R antioxidant-mediated protection against AFB1 toxicity.

Resveratrol improves muscle regeneration in obese mice through enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis

Obesity is increasing rapidly worldwide and is accompanied by many complications, including impaired muscle regeneration. Obesity is known to inhibit AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, which impedes mitochondrial biogenesis, myogenic differentiation and muscle regeneration. Resveratrol has an effective anti-obesity effect, but its effect on regeneration of muscle in obese mice remains to be tested. We hypothesized that resveratrol activates AMPK and mitochondrial biogenesis to improve muscle regeneration. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a control diet or a 60% high-fat diet with or without resveratrol supplementation for 8 weeks and, then, the tibialis anterior muscle was subjected to cardiotoxin-induced muscle injury. Muscle tissue was collected at 3 and 7 d after injury. We found that resveratrol enhanced both proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells following injury in obese mice. Markers of mitochondrial biogenesis were upregulated in resveratrol-treated mice. In C2C12 myogenic cells, resveratrol activated AMPK and stimulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha, which were associated with enhanced myogenic differentiation. Such effects of resveratrol were abolished by AMPKα1 ablation, showing the mediatory roles of AMPK. In summary, dietary resveratrol activates AMPK/ proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha axis to facilitate mitochondrial biogenesis and muscle regeneration impaired due to obesity.

Dietary dihydromyricetin supplementation enhances antioxidant capacity and improves lipid metabolism in finishing pigs

Nowadays, chronic diseases have become a potential danger to human health and are highly concerning. Given that pigs are a suitable animal model for human nutrition and metabolism for its similar anatomical and physiological properties to those of humans, this study has used 24 castrated male Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) pigs as experimental subjects to explore the effects of dietary dihydromyricetin (DHM) supplementation on the antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism. Results showed that dietary 300 and 500 mg DHM kg-1 diet supplementation increased the serum total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) level, serum and liver reduced glutathione (GSH), muscle catalase (CAT) level and serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level, and reduced the liver malondialdehyde (MDA) level and muscle triglyceride (TG) level in finishing pigs. Western blot analysis showed that dietary DHM supplementation activated the nuclear-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) signals. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that dietary DHM supplementation upregulated the mRNA levels of lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation-related genes, and down-regulated the mRNA expression of lipogenesis-related genes in finishing pigs. Together, we provide evidence that dietary DHM supplementation improved the antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs.

Resveratrol Attenuates High-Fat Diet Induced Hepatic Lipid Homeostasis Disorder and Decreases m6A RNA Methylation

Purpose: N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA methylation is affected by dietary factors and associated with lipid metabolism; however, whether the regulatory role of resveratrol in lipid metabolism is involved in m6A mRNA methylation remains unknown. Here, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on hepatic lipid metabolism and m6A RNA methylation in the liver of mice. Methods: A total of 24 male mice were randomly allocated to LFD (low-fat diet), LFDR (low-fat diet + resveratrol), HFD (high-fat diet), and HFDR (high-fat diet + resveratrol) groups for 12 weeks (n = 6/group). Final body weight of mice was measured before sacrificing. Perirhemtric fat, abdominal and epididymal fat, liver tissues, and serum were collected at sacrifice and analyzed. Briefly, mice phenotype, lipid metabolic index, and m6A modification in the liver were assessed. Results: Compared to the HFD group, dietary resveratrol supplementation reduced the body weight and relative abdominal, epididymal, and perirhemtric fat weight in high-fat-exposed mice; however, resveratrol significantly increased average daily feed intake in mice given HFD. The amounts of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), liver total cholesterol (TC), and triacylglycerol (TAG) were significantly decreased by resveratrol supplementation. In addition, resveratrol significantly enhanced the levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta (PPARβ/δ), cytochrome P450, family 4, subfamily a, polypeptide 10/14 (CYP4A10/14), acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1), and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) mRNA and inhibited acyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) mRNA levels in the liver. Furthermore, the resveratrol in HFD increased the transcript levels of methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3), alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5), fat mass and obesity associated protein (FTO), and YTH domain family 2 (YTHDF2), whereas it decreased the level of YTH domain family 3 (YTHDF3) and m6A abundance in mice liver. Conclusion: The beneficial effect of resveratrol on lipid metabolism disorder under HFD may be due to decrease of m6A RNA methylation and increase of PPARα mRNA, providing mechanistic insights into the function of resveratrol in alleviating the disturbance of lipid metabolism in mice.

Dietary resveratrol supplement improves carcass traits and meat quality of Pekin ducks

With the increase of consumer demand for high-quality animal protein, it becomes imperative to improve meat quality through nutritional strategy. Resveratrol is a plant polyphenol that exists in grapes and grape products, and it has been considered as a potential functional feed additive. Here, we aimed to explore the optimal dose of resveratrol in Pekin ducks' diet and its effect on improving meat quality. A total of 432 male Pekin ducks (1-day-old) were selected and randomly allotted to 4 treatment groups, with each group containing 6 replicates. Four different levels of resveratrol were evaluated (0, 150, 300, and 450 mg/kg) for 42 d. The carcass traits, meat quality, and muscle fiber characteristics of Pekin ducks were investigated. Results showed that a∗_24h, b∗_24h, intramuscular fat, crude protein, total flavor amino acid content of duck breast muscle, and a∗_45min of duck leg muscle were increased (P < 0.05) by resveratrol. Resveratrol also reduced abdominal fat deposition, shear force, L∗_45min of breast muscle and drip loss, shear force, and L∗_45min of leg muscle. In addition, the breast muscle fibers of resveratrol-fed ducks had lower diameter and cross-sectional area and higher density (P < 0.05). Overall, we conclude that dietary resveratrol supplement can effectively improve Pekin duck meat quality, the optimal additional range in diet being 300 to 450 mg/kg. Its underlying mechanism might be partly through stimulation of intramuscular fat and flavor amino deposition and alteration of muscle fiber characteristics.

The effect of adiponectin in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the potential role of polyphenols in the modulation of adiponectin signaling

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide, as it affects up to 30 % of adults in Western countries. Moreover, NAFLD is also considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Insulin resistance and inflammation have been identified as key factors in the pathophysiology of NAFLD. Although the mechanisms associated with the development of NAFLD remain to be fully elucidated, a complex interaction between adipokines and cytokines appear to play a crucial role in the development of this condition. Adiponectin is the most common adipokine known to be inversely linked with insulin resistance, lipid accumulation, inflammation and NAFLD. Consequently, the focus has been on the use of new therapies that may enhance hepatic expression of adiponectin downstream targets or increase the serum levels of adiponectin in the treatment NAFLD. While currently used therapies show limited efficacy in this aspect, accumulating evidence suggest that various dietary polyphenols may stimulate adiponectin levels, offering potential protection against the development of insulin resistance, inflammation and NAFLD as well as associated conditions of metabolic syndrome. As such, this review provides a better understanding of the role polyphenols play in modulating adiponectin signaling to protect against NAFLD. A brief discussion on the regulation of adiponectin during disease pathophysiology is also covered to underscore the potential protective effects of polyphenols against NAFLD. Some of the prominent polyphenols described in the manuscript include aspalathin, berberine, catechins, chlorogenic acid, curcumin, genistein, piperine, quercetin, and resveratrol.

Modulation of adipocyte size and fat pad weight via resveratrol releasing scaffolds implanted into the epididymal adipose tissue

Lipid overload of the adipose tissue, which can be caused by overnutrition, underlies metabolic disease. We hypothesized that increasing the energy demand of adipose tissue is a promising strategy to combat excessive lipid accumulation. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, activates lipid catabolism in fat tissue; however, its clinical success is hindered by poor bioavailability. Here, we implanted resveratrol releasing poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds into epididymal fat to overcome its poor bioavailability with the goal of enhancing local lipid catabolism. In lean mice, resveratrol scaffolds decreased adipocyte size relative to scaffolds with no drug, a response that correlated with AMP kinase activation. Immunohistochemistry indicated that macrophages and multinucleated giant cells within the scaffold expressed carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) at higher levels than other cells in the adipose tissue. Furthermore, resveratrol increased CPT1 levels in cultured macrophages. Taken together, we propose that resveratrol scaffolds decrease adipocyte size because resveratrol increases lipid utilization in scaffold-infiltrating immune cells, possibly through elevating CPT1 levels or activity. In a follow-up study, mice that received resveratrol scaffolds 28-day prior to a high-fat diet exhibited decreased weight gain, adipose tissue expansion, and adipocyte hypertrophy compared to mice with control scaffolds. Notably, this scaffold-based strategy required a single resveratrol administration compared to the daily regiment generally needed for oral administration. These results indicate that localized delivery of metabolism modulating agents to the adipose tissue may overcome issues with bioavailability and that the role of biomaterials should be further investigated in this therapeutic strategy for metabolic disease.

Effects of dietary resveratrol supplementation in sows on antioxidative status, myofiber characteristic and meat quality of offspring

This study investigated the influence of dietary resveratrol (300 mg/kg) supplementation in sows on the antioxidative status, myofiber characteristic and meat quality of their progeny. Results showed that maternal dietary resveratrol supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the backfat thickness and tended (P = 0.055) to increase the intramuscular fat of finishing pigs. The drip loss and lactic acid level were reduced, and the pH_{24 h} of longissimus thoracis was increased by maternal dietary resveratrol supplementation (P < 0.05). Maternal dietary resveratrol supplementation increased the mRNA and protein expression of MyHC I and decreased the mRNA and protein expression of MyHC IIb in the longissimus thoracis (P < 0.05). The malonaldehyde (MDA) level in longissimus thoracis was reduced and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and SOD2 mRNA expression were increased by maternal dietary resveratrol supplementation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary resveratrol supplementation in sows improves the meat quality of offspring by altering the myofiber characteristic and antioxidative status.

Influence of free-range days on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, lymphoid organ indices, and blood biochemistry of Wannan Yellow chickens

This study investigated the effects of free-range days on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, lymphoid organ indices, and blood biochemical parameters of Wannan Yellow chickens. A total of 1,000 one-day-old male Wannan Yellow chickens were reared to 56 D. At 56 D of age, 960 birds with similar body weight (BW) were randomly allocated to free-range treatment at 56, 70, 84, and 98 D of age (assigned to free-range treatment for 42, 28, 14, and 0 D, respectively); 6 replicates with 40 chickens per treatment. In the free-range system, chickens were reared in indoor floor pens with an outdoor free-range paddock measuring 4 × 7 m (28 m2, 1.5 birds/m2). Results showed that BW of birds decreased significantly in the first 2 wk after birds were assigned to free-range treatment compared with those in the conventional treatment (P < 0.05). Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) for chickens assigned to free-range treatment from 56 to 70 D of age, while feed conversion ratio increased significantly (P < 0.05). Breast yield increased linearly with increasing free-range days (P < 0.05), whereas leg and foot yields decreased linearly (P < 0.05). Drip loss and L* value of thigh muscle decreased linearly with increasing free-range days (P < 0.05), while shear force improved linearly (P < 0.05). Additionally, the absolute thymus weight and thymus to BW ratio showed significant increasing and then decreasing quadratic responses to increasing free-range days (P < 0.05). Furthermore, serum glucose, total protein, cholesterol, and triglyceride content declined linearly, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) content increased linearly with increasing free-range days (P < 0.05). In conclusion, increasing free-range days had positive effects on breast yield, shear force, thymus weight, and HDL-C content, but negatively affected leg yield, foot yield, drip loss, L* value of thigh muscle, glucose, total protein, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels of Wannan Yellow chickens.

Dietary Supplementation with Pioglitazone Hydrochloride and Resveratrol Improves Meat Quality and Antioxidant Capacity of Broiler Chickens

The study aimed to investigate the effects of pioglitazone hydrochloride (PGZ) and resveratrol (RES) on yellow-feathered broiler chickens. A total of 500 broiler chickens were randomly divided into four groups and fed a basic diet (control group) or a basic diet supplemented with 15 mg/kg PGZ, 400 mg/kg RES, or 15 mg/kg PGZ plus 400 mg/kg RES for 28 days. Compared with the control group, the PGZ and PGZ plus RES groups presented a significantly higher average daily gain and a decreased feed-to-gain ratio. Increases in the dressing percentage, semi-eviscerated yield, muscle intramuscular fat content, and C18:1n-9c, C18:3n-6, C20:3n-3, and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) percentages were found in the PGZ plus RES group. Moreover, the diet supplemented with RES or PGZ plus RES increased the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, and decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species of thigh muscle. Additionally, the mRNA abundance of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α, fatty acid-binding protein 3, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2, and superoxide dismutase 1 was increased in the PGZ plus RES group. In conclusion, this study suggested that dietary supplementation of PGZ combined with RES improved the growth performance, the muscle intramuscular fat content, and antioxidant ability of yellow-feathered broiler chickens.

Herbs as thermoregulatory agents in poultry: An overview

The adverse effect of increased environmental temperature during summer season on avian industry has received great global concern. High temperature leads to severe economic loss in poultry production, because it is considered as valuable stress factor. Several practical methods were used to alleviate the adverse impact of increased temperature; among them were dietary modifications. So, several types of herbs are supplemented to reduce the deleterious influences of thermal stress altitudes in various animals, and even to prevent their adverse impacts. Therefore, sustainable supports for dietary modification based on herbs supplementations are largely needed, particularly when consider the additional advantages of herbs such as availability, actual efficiency, low cost, as well as their free from residual impact and antibiotic resistance. Numerous types of herbs were concluded to their efficient properties by poultry breeders to overcome a variety of the harmful effects of high ambient temperature. The present article deliberates the different practical applications of several members of the traditional herbal wealth to improve the general health state of poultry particularly as thermoregulatory and immunomodulatory agents, and for countering the heat stress-associated immunosuppressive effects. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of herbal growth promoters and their influence on improvement of production performances were a special aim of this review. The reported information will be helpful for improvement of general production and health status of birds reared under the heat stress via enhancement of immune response and stress tolerance, and popularizes usage of herbs amongst poultry producers.

Effects of Dietary Apple Polyphenols Supplementation on Hepatic Fat Deposition and Antioxidant Capacity in Finishing Pigs

Simple Summary

Excessive fat deposition (5–10%) in the liver could lead to liver damage and nonalcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, there is no satisfactory safe and effective measure of preventive and therapeutic treatments so far. Thus, the prevention of excessive fat deposition through diet modification might be a better strategy to protect humans from metabolic diseases. Due to the anatomical and physiological similarities between humans and pigs, the present study took the finishing pig as an animal model to investigate the effects of apple polyphenols on hepatic fat deposition and antioxidant capacity and their mechanisms. The present study indicated that apple polyphenols might be an effective dietary supplementation for decreasing the excessive fat deposition in liver tissue, improving lipid profiles and increasing the antioxidant capacity of finishing pigs. This study provides a better preventive strategy to protect humans from excessive fat deposition in the liver.

Abstract

Excessive fat deposition in the liver could lead to fatty liver and an increased risk of many metabolic diseases. Apple polyphenols (APPs), the major antioxidants in apples, possess wide-ranging beneficial biological functions. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of APPs on hepatic fat deposition and antioxidant capacity in finishing pigs, and their mechanisms. Results showed that APPs improved lipid profiles, increased antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced the fat deposition in the liver. In the liver, SOD1, CAT, GPX1, GST, NF-E2-related nuclear factor 2 (Nrf2), hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1b (CPT1b), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) mRNA levels were increased by APPs, while Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) mRNA level, C16:0 and C20:4n-6 proportions and Δ9-18 dehydrogenase activity were decreased. In conclusion, this study indicated that APPs might be an effective dietary supplementation for improving lipid profiles, increasing antioxidant capacities and decreasing fat deposition in the liver.

Dietary apple polyphenols supplementation enhances antioxidant capacity and improves lipid metabolism in weaned piglets

Apple polyphenols (APPs) are biologically active flavonoids that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, improving insulin sensitivity, hypocholesterolaemic effect and antiviral properties. This study was conducted to explore effects of dietary APPs supplementation on antioxidant activities and lipid metabolism in weaned piglets. Fifty-four weaned piglets (half male and female) were randomly divided into three groups with six replicates in each group and three piglets in each repetition. Piglets were fed control diet (basal diet) or a control diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg APPs for 6 weeks. Blood and liver samples were collected to determine biochemical, antioxidant and lipid metabolism parameters. Here we showed that dietary APPs supplementation increased HDL-C and decreased T-CHO, TG and LDL-C concentrations. Dietary APPs supplementation increased antioxidative capacity in serum and CAT activity in liver, and significantly increased the mRNA expressions of CAT, GST and SOD1 in liver. ACC mRNA level and LPL activity were tended to decrease by APPs. HMG-CoAR, CTP7A1, CD36 and FATP1 mRNA levels were decreased by APPs, while LDL-R, PGC-1α, Sirt1 and CPT1b mRNA levels were increased by 400 mg/kg APPs. No alterations in growth performance were found in all treatments. This study firstly provided the evidence that dietary APPs supplementation could enhance systemic antioxidant capacity and improve lipid metabolism in weaned piglets. The mechanism by which APPs improve lipid metabolism might be through regulating hepatic cholesterol metabolism and increasing fatty acid oxidation, and decreasing fatty acid uptake and de novo synthesis.

Long-term dietary resveratrol supplementation decreased serum lipids levels, improved intramuscular fat content, and changed the expression of several lipid metabolism-related miRNAs and genes in growing-finishing pigs1

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary resveratrol supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, serum lipid profiles, intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition, and the expression levels of several lipid metabolism-related miRNAs and genes in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 36 healthy crossbred pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) with an average initial BW of 24.67 ± 3.49 kg were randomly divided into two groups and fed either with a basal diet (CON) or basal diet containing 600 mg/kg resveratrol (RES). The trial lasted for 119 d. Resveratrol had no significant effect on growth performance and carcass characteristics. However, the concentrations of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein were lower in RES group than those of CON group (P < 0.05). Dietary resveratrol supplementation increased the IMF content in longissimus dorsi (P < 0.05), up-regulated mRNA abundances of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and lipoprotein lipase (P < 0.05), while downregulated mRNA abundances of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1, sirtuin 1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (P < 0.05) in LM. In addition, resveratrol enhanced (P < 0.05) the expression of ssc-miR-181a, ssc-miR-370, and ssc-miR-21 and reduced (P < 0.05) the expression of ssc-miR-27a in longissimus dorsi. These results indicated that dietary resveratrol supplementation significantly improved IMF content and decreased serum lipids levels, which might be related with the changes in ssc-miR-181a, ssc-miR-370, ssc-miR-21, ssc-miR-27a and their downstream genes expression.

Effects of rearing systems on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, lymphoid organ indices, and serum biochemistry of Wannan Yellow chickens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of free-range system (FRS) and conventional cage-rearing system (CRS) on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, lymphoid organ indices, and serum biochemistry of Wannan Yellow chickens. At 56 days of age, a total of 640 male chickens were randomly allocated to FRS and CRS groups, each of which included 4 replicates with 80 chickens in each replicate. The experiment lasted from 56 to 112 days of age. The results showed that CRS chickens exhibited better final body weight, average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio, whereas FRS chickens showed better breast and leg yields, shear force, meat color, lower drip loss, and decreased abdominal fat deposition. Moreover, the absolute thymus weight and thymus to body weight ratio of FRS birds were significantly higher than those of CRS birds (p < 0.05). Additionally, FRS chickens had significantly reduced glucose, total protein, triglyceride, and cholesterol contents, but enhanced levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the FRS has advantages in breast and leg yields, meat quality, and some serum biochemical parameters of Wannan Yellow chickens, whereas it has negative effects on growth performance.

Effects of dietary resveratrol supplementation during gestation and lactation of sows on milk composition of sows and fat metabolism of sucking piglets

The purpose of this article was to investigate the effects of dietary resveratrol supplementation during gestation and lactation of sows on the milk composition of sows and the fat metabolism of sucking piglets. Forty sows were allotted to two experimental treatment groups that included the following: (a) control sows (CON treatment, n = 20) fed with a corn-soybean meal control diet and (b) treatment sows (RES treatment, n = 20) fed with a control diet with addition of 300 mg/kg resveratrol. The results showed that the content of lactose in the colostrum was increased (p < 0.05) and the content of fat in 21-day milk was increased (p < 0.05) by dietary resveratrol supplementation. In the RES treatment group, the concentrations of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), lipase activity and insulin (INS) in plasma of sucking piglets were increased (p < 0.05). In the adipose tissue, the enzyme activities of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) increased significantly by RES treatment (p < 0.05), and the mRNA levels of acetyl coenzyme A-alpha (ACCα), LPL, fatty acid transport protein (FATP1) and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein gene (C/EBPα) were higher in the RES treatment group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, resveratrol supplementation on gestational and lactating sows improved the content of lactose in the colostrum and the content of fat in milk at day 21 of lactation. In addition, resveratrol supplementation on sows increased HDL and LDL in the plasma of piglets. In piglet adipose tissue, the enzyme activity and mRNA level related to lipolysis, fatty acid uptake from circulating triacylglycerols and lipogenesis are partially improved by resveratrol supplementation on sows. These aspects affect fat metabolism in piglets.

Growth and digestive enzymes of silver catfish fed diets containing fruit residue

ABSTRACT In fish farming, the use of alternative ingredients has been studied, so that alternative sources can be used to minimize feed costs. This study evaluated the incorporation of grape, orange, guava, and fig residues in diets for silver catfish and its effects on growth, digestive enzymes and body composition. A total of 180 fish (initial mean weight = 22.93±0.75 g) were reared in a recirculation aquaculture system. There was no difference (P>0.05) in the parameters of growth, dry matter, mineral matter, plasma protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, lipase, and trypsin of fish. Glucose levels were higher in fish fed diets containing fig, orange, and grape residue (P<0.05). Lipase activity was higher in fish fed orange residue, compared to guava (P<0.05). Diets containing guava and fig provided more body protein in silver catfish. The fish fed with diet containing orange residue had a higher content of body lipids. It can be concluded that the tested fruit residues can be used in silver catfish feeding.

Ethanol extract of mango seed is a suitable plant-based replacement for synthetic antioxidants in pig grower–finisher diets

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the inclusion of ethanol extracts of mango seed (EEMS) in growing–finishing pig diets on lipid stability and antioxidant potential of feed, animal performance, carcass traits as well as haematological and biochemical parameters in the serum. Thirty-two barrows that were 60 days old and weighed 20.20 ± 1.34 kg were used in a randomised-block design with four treatments and eight replicates. The treatments consisted of the following: diet without antioxidant addition (negative control); diet with 200 mg of butylate hydroxytoluene/kg (positive control); diet with 200 mg EEMS/kg (EEMS200); and diet with 400 mg EEMS/kg (EEMS400). Diet with synthetic (butylate hydroxytoluene) and natural antioxidants presented better oxidative stability and antioxidant potential than did the negative control. Animals fed 400 mg EEMS/kg presented greater weight gain up to 110 days (P &lt; 0.05). Pigs fed diet containing 200 mg EEMS/kg showed a decrease in red blood cells (P &lt; 0.001) and a higher average corpuscular volume (P &lt; 0.0001), whereas pigs fed control diet had lower average corpuscular haemoglobin concentration than did those in other treatments (P &lt; 0.01). At 140 days of age, dietary addition of 400 mg EEMS/kg decreased malondialdehyde and increased antioxidant potential (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl method) in serum, with the highest phenolic compound concentration found in the serum of pigs fed diet with 200 mg EEMS/kg. The total antioxidant activity in the serum was not influenced by the treatments (P &gt; 0.05). Ethanol mango extracts can be used as an antioxidant in growing–finishing pig diets at levels of 200 and 400 mg/kg without impairment of performance, carcass traits, serum and biochemical parameters. The dietary addition of EEMS at 400 mg/kg improves the performance of pigs at growing phase and contributes to an increase in circulating phenolic compounds, improving the lipid stability and the antioxidant potential of the serum.

Protective effects of resveratrol against high ambient temperature-induced spleen dysplasia in broilers through modulating splenic redox status and apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Resveratrol has been shown to prevent high ambient temperature (HT)-induced spleen dysplasia, but the mechanisms of action are not clear. This study aims to examine the hypothesis that HT-induced spleen dysplasia may be associated with HT-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, and resveratrol may activate the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, thus reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

RESULTS

Results showed that HT caused spleen dysplasia in broilers, reflecting the lower relative weight of the spleen (P < 0.05). Compared with birds in a normal ambient temperature group, birds in the HT group exhibited higher (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) content, higher Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 mRNA levels, and caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity, and a higher Bax/B-cell lympoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) ratio, but they exhibited lower (P < 0.05) glutathione (GSH) and Bcl-2 content, and lower Nrf2, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), MnSOD, heme oxygenase 1, glutathione reductase (GR) and Bcl-2 mRNA levels, and lower total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), T-SOD and catalase and maganese superoixide dismutase (CAT) activity, indicating HT-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. Compared with birds in the HT group, birds in the HT + Res group exhibited higher (P < 0.05) GSH and Bcl-2 content, higher Nrf2, CAT, MnSOD, GR and Bcl-2 mRNA levels, and higher T-AOC, T-SOD and CAT activity, but lower (P < 0.05) MDA content, and Bax and caspase-3 mRNA levels, lower caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, indicating that resveratrol activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway and decreased apoptosis in the spleen.

CONCLUSION

Resveratrol was effective in ameliorating HT-induced spleen dysplasia in broilers through the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby decreasing apoptosis, suggesting that resveratrol may offer a potential nutritional strategy to protect against some HT-induced detriments. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Resveratrol alleviates heat stress-induced impairment of intestinal morphology, microflora, and barrier integrity in broilers

This study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on intestinal morphology, microfloras, and barrier integrity of broilers subjected to heat stress. Two-hundred-seventy 21-day-old Cobb male broilers were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups, each of which included 6 replicates with 15 birds per replicate. The 3 treatment groups were as follows: the control group, in which birds were exposed to thermoneutral condition (22 ± 1°C), and the heat stress group and heat stress + resveratrol (400 mg/kg) group, in which birds were exposed to cyclic heat stress (33 ± 1°C for 10 h/d from 0800 to 1800 h and 22 ± 1°C for the remaining time. Compared with birds in the control group, birds in the heat stress group exhibited decreased (P < 0.05) final body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio, goblet cells numbers, populations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and mRNA levels of mucin-2, claudin-1, occludin, zona occludens-1, and E-cadherin, and increased (P < 0.05) crypt depth, serum D-lactic acid and fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran contents and diamine oxidase activity, and populations of Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium. Compared with birds in the heat stress group, birds in the heat stress + resveratrol group exhibited decreased (P < 0.05) crypt depth, serum D-lactic acid and fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran contents, and populations of Escherichia coli, and increased (P < 0.05) final body weight, villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio, goblet cells numbers, populations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and mRNA levels of mucin-2, claudin-1, occludin, and E-cadherin. Taken together, these results indicated for the first time that dietary addition of resveratrol was effective in partially ameliorating the adverse effects of heat stress on intestinal barrier function in broilers by restoring the impaired villus-crypt structure, modifying the profiles of intestinal microfloras, and altering the mRNA expression of intestinal tight junctions- and adherence junctions-related genes.

Dietary resveratrol supplementation prevents transport-stress-impaired meat quality of broilers through maintaining muscle energy metabolism and antioxidant status

This experiment was to evaluate the effect of dietary resveratrol (Res) supplementation (0, 400 mg/kg) on growth performance, meat quality, and muscle anaerobic glycolysis and antioxidant capacity of transported broilers. A total of 360 21-day-old male Cobb broilers was randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments (Res-free group and Res group) with 12 replicates of 15 birds each. On the morning of d 42, after a 9-hour fast, 24 birds (2 birds of each replicate) were selected from the Res-free group and then equally placed into 2 crates, and the other 12 birds (one bird of each replicate) were selected from the Res group and then placed into the other crate. All birds in the 3 crates were transported according to the following protocols: 0-hour transport of birds in the Res-free group (control group), 3-hour transport of birds in the Res-free group (T group), and 3-hour transport of birds in the Res group (T + Res group). The results showed that Res not only improved feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) but also tended to improve birds’ final body weight (P < 0.10). In the Res-free group, a 3-hour transport increased serum corticosterone concentration, muscle malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate contents, and muscle lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, while it decreased muscle glycogen content, total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities (P < 0.05), which induced decreased breast meat quality (lower pH_24h and higher drip loss and L*_24 h, P < 0.05). Nevertheless, compared with the T group, Res increased muscle glycogen content and T-SOD and GSH-PX activities (P < 0.05 or P < 0.10), while it decreased muscle MDA content and LDH activity (P < 0.05), which is beneficial to the meat quality maintenance of transported broilers (lower drip loss, L*_24 h, and higher pH_24h, P < 0.05 or P < 0.10). This study provides the first evidence that dietary resveratrol supplementation prevents transport-stress-impaired meat quality of broilers, possibly through decreasing the muscle anaerobic glycolysis metabolism and improving the muscle antioxidant capacity.

Effect of dietary resveratrol supplementation on meat quality, muscle antioxidative capacity and mitochondrial biogenesis of broilers

BACKGROUND

The naturally occurring polyphenol resveratrol has been acknowledged with many beneficial biological effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of dietary resveratrol supplementation on meat quality, muscle antioxidative capacity and mitochondrial biogenesis of broilers. One hundred and eighty 21-day-old male Cobb broilers were randomly assigned to two groups and fed on a 0 mg kg^-1 or 400 mg kg^-1 resveratrol-supplemented diet for 21 days. Then, chickens were slaughtered and pectoralis major muscle (PM) samples were collected for analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed that resveratrol not only tended to increase (P < 0.10) PM pH_24h but also significantly decreased (P < 0.05) PM L*_45min , pH decline, drip loss and lactate content. Meanwhile, PM total antioxidative capacity and catalase activity were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by resveratrol, while malondialdehyde content was decreased (P < 0.10). Moreover, resveratrol significantly increased (P < 0.05) PM peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α and nuclear respiratory factor 1 mRNA levels, along with increased (P < 0.05) citrate synthase activity.

CONCLUSION

Resveratrol can be used as a feed additive to improve meat quality of broilers, which may be associated with improved muscle antioxidative status and mitochondrial biogenesis. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Resveratrol Dry Suspension on Immune Function of Piglets

Resveratrol, a polyphenolic plant antitoxin, has a wide range of pharmacological activities. In this study, we systematically evaluated the effects of resveratrol dry suspension (RDS) on immune function in piglets that were treated with different doses of RDS for 2 weeks. The results showed that the RDS has significant effects on the development, maturation, proliferation, and transformation of T lymphocytes. RDS could regulate humoral immune responses by upregulating the release of IFN-γ and downregulating the release of TNF-α. After piglets were vaccinated against classical swine fever virus and foot-and-mouth disease virus, the antibody titers were significantly increased. RDS treatment showed an excellent resistance to enhance T-SOD activity. Values of blood routine and blood biochemistry showed no toxicity. These results suggested that RDS could be considered as an adjuvant to enhance immune responses to vaccines, as well as dietary additives for animals to enhance humoral and cellular immunity.

Effects of different rearing systems on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and serum biochemical parameters of Chaohu ducks

This study was conducted using a total of 360 22-day-old Chaohu ducks to evaluate the effect of rearing system on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and serum parameters of male and female Chaohu ducks. The birds were divided and raised in separate pens according to sex and rearing system, with three replicate pens of 30 male or 30 female ducks per pen for each rearing system. The rearing systems consisted of a floor rearing system (FRS) and a net rearing system (NRS). Results showed that ducks raised in NRS had better growth performance, whereas, ducks raised in FRS exhibited better carcass traits and meat color, and lower intramuscular fat. For the serum parameters, NRS significantly decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol content, and enhanced total protein and triacylglycerol contents. Male ducks had lower abdominal fat percentage, and higher growth performance and shear force, but there were no other significant differences between sexes. No rearing system × sex interaction was observed in the present study, revealing that rearing system had the same effect on both sexes. In conclusion, NRS was beneficial to the growth performance of Chaohu ducks, whereas this system had some negative effects on carcass traits, meat quality and serum profiles.

Arabinoxylan activates lipid catabolism and alleviates liver damage in rats induced by high-fat diet

BACKGROUND

Arabinoxylan was thought to have the potential to change lipid metabolism and redox homeostasis in human and animal. However, the effect of arabinoxylan on the liver damage induced by high-fat diet needs further exploiting.

RESULTS

Six-weeks-old 30 male Sprague-Dawley Rats were assigned randomly to three groups (n = 10 per group), i.e. a control diet (CON) group, a high-fat diet (HF) group and a high-fat diet supplemented with arabinoxylan (6% AX, HF-AX) group. Results showed that final body weight and liver weight were similar in CON group and HF-AX group, but higher in the HF group. In serum, the HF-AX group showed lower triglyceride concentrations than did the HF group. In liver, higher lipoprotein lipase, hepatic lipase, total lipase, and acyl-CoA oxidase activities and lower triglyceride and cholesterol level were observed in the HF-AX group than in the HF group. For the redox homeostasis, arabinoxylan supplemented in HF increased T-SOD activity and GSH-PX activity and reduced MDA + 4-HNE level in liver and/or compared with those in the HF group. Lipid droplets and liver cell damage were observed in the HF group compared with the CON and HF-AX groups.

CONCLUSION

Arabinoxylan could improve lipid metabolic disorder and alleviate liver damage in rats induced by high-fat diet via activating lipid catabolism and suppressing lipid peroxidation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Amniotic fluid metabolomics and biochemistry analysis provides novel insights into the diet-regulated foetal growth in a pig model

Foetal loss and intrauterine growth restriction are major problems in mammals, but there are few effective ways in preventing it. Intriguingly, chitosan oligosaccharide (COS), a biomaterial derived from chitosan, can promote foetal survival and growth. Therefore, we have investigated how COS affects foetal survival and growth in a pig model. Fifty-two sows were divided into two treatment groups (n = 26) and fed either solely a control diet or a control diet that includes 100 mg/kg COS. Amniotic fluid and foetus samples from six sows that were of average body weight in each group were collected on gestation day 35. We applied a ¹H NMR-based metabolomics approach combined with biochemistry analysis to track the changes that occurred in the amniotic fluid of pregnant sows after COS intervention. Maternal COS inclusion had enhanced (P < 0.05) the foetal survival rate and size at 35 days. COS supplementation had both increased (P < 0.05) SOD, CAT and T-AOC activities and elevated (P < 0.05) IL-10, IgG and IgM concentrations in the amniotic fluid. Moreover, COS had affected (P < 0.05) the amniotic fluid’s lysine, citrate, glucose and hypoxanthine levels. Overall, COS inclusion induced amniotic fluid antioxidant status and metabolic profiles modifications characterising improvements in foetal survival and growth in a pig model.

Chemical Constituents of Smilax china L. Stems and Their Inhibitory Activities against Glycation, Aldose Reductase, α-Glucosidase, and Lipase

The search for natural inhibitors with anti-diabetes properties has gained increasing attention. Among four selected Smilacaceae family plants, Smilax china L. stems (SCS) showed significant in vitro anti-glycation and rat lens aldose reductase inhibitory activities. Bioactivity-guided isolation was performed with SCS and four solvent fractions were obtained, which in turn yielded 10 compounds, including one phenolic acid, three chlorogenic acids, four flavonoids, one stilbene, and one phenylpropanoid glycoside; their structures were elucidated using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. All solvent fractions, isolated compounds, and stem extracts from plants sourced from six different provinces of South Korea were next tested for their inhibitory effects against advanced glycation end products, as well as aldose reductase. α-Glucosidase, and lipase assays were also performed on the fractions and compounds. Since compounds 3, 4, 6, and 8 appeared to be the superior inhibitors among the tested compounds, a comparative study was performed via high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection using a self-developed analysis method to confirm the relationship between the quantity and bioactivity of the compounds in each extract. The findings of this study demonstrate the potent therapeutic efficacy of SCS and its potential use as a cost-effective natural alternative medicine against type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Resveratrol enhances brown adipocyte formation and function by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α1 in mice fed high-fat diet

SCOPE

Enhancing the formation and function of brown adipose tissue (BAT) increases thermogenesis and hence reduces obesity. Thus, we investigate the effects of resveratrol (Resv) on brown adipocyte formation and function in mouse interscapular BAT (iBAT).

METHODS AND RESULTS

CD1 mice and stromal vascular cells (SVCs) isolated from iBAT were treated with Resv. Expression of brown adipogenic and thermogenic markers, and involvement of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)α1 were assessed. In vivo, Resv-enhanced expression of brown adipogenic markers, PR domain-containing 16 (PRDM16) and thermogenic genes, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and cytochrome C in iBAT, along with smaller lipid droplets, elevated AMPKα activity and increased oxygen consumption. Meanwhile, Resv promoted expression of PRDM16, UCP1, PGC1α, cytochrome C and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) in differentiated iBAT SVCs, suggesting that Resv enhanced brown adipocyte formation and function in vitro. In addition, Resv stimulated AMPKα and oxygen consumption in differentiated iBAT SVCs. However, the promotional effects of Resv were diminished by AMPK inhibition or AMPKα1 knockout, implying the involvement of AMPKα1 in this process.

CONCLUSION

Resv enhanced brown adipocyte formation and thermogenic function in mouse iBAT by promoting the expression of brown adipogenic markers via activating AMPKα1, which contributed to the anti-obesity effects of Resv.

Prevention of obesity by dietary resveratrol: how strong is the evidence?

Obesity is a pandemic problem worldwide. Dietary polyphenolic compounds show promise in preventing obesity. Resveratrol (RSV), one of the most extensively studied polyphenol compounds, has been shown to exert anti-obesity effects in various animal studies and also in several human studies. The fat-lowering effects of RSV may result from its ability to inhibit adipogenesis, suppress lipogenesis, stimulate lipolysis, promote apoptosis, and increase fatty acid oxidation and thermogenesis, as well as the recently demonstrated induction of the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT). These anti-obesity effects of RSV likely depend on its ability to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key enzyme regulating cellular energy metabolism. Consumption of fruits such as berries, grapes and nuts, which contain high levels of RSV and other polyphenols, might help to reduce obesity.