An evaluation of the protective effects of chlorogenic acid on broiler chickens in a dextran sodium sulfate model: a preliminary investigation

Lonicera flos and Curcuma longa L. extracts improve growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immune response in broiler chickens

Alternatives to antibiotics are urgently needed to maintain broiler growth and health. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Lonicera flos and Curcuma longa L. extracts (LCE) as antibiotic substitutes on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immune response in broilers. A total of 480 one-day-old female broilers (WOD168) were allocated to 3 treatments with 5 replicates of 32 birds for 35 days. The 3 treatments were: an antibiotic-free basal diet (control, CON), CON +50 mg/kg spectinomycin hydrochloride and 25 mg/kg lincomycin hydrochloride (ANT), CON +500 mg/kg LCE (LCE). During the entire experimental period, supplementation of ANT and LCE increased (p < 0.01) average daily gain (ADG) and decreased (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR), thereby resulting in greater final body weight (BW) compared with CON. Dietary LCE supplementation increased (p < 0.05) serum (glutathione peroxidase) GSH-Px, (superoxide dismutase) SOD and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activities, and decreased (p < 0.05) serum malonaldehyde (MDA) concentration at day 35 compared with CON. There was no significant difference in serum catalase (CAT) activity among treatments. Birds in LCE group had lower (p < 0.05) MDA concentration and higher SOD activity in liver than those in CON and ANT groups at day 35. Birds in LCE group had higher (p < 0.05) phagocytic index and serum antibody titers to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) than those in CON group. Lower (p < 0.05) concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines in serum and liver were observed in birds fed LCE diet than those fed CON diet. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of LCE improved growth performance by enhancing antioxidant capacity, strengthening immune system and alleviating inflammation, which has potential as antibiotic alternatives.

Colitis-Mediated Dysbiosis of the Intestinal Flora and Impaired Vitamin A Absorption Reduce Ovarian Function in Mice

Changes in the composition and ratio of the flora during colitis have been found to potentially affect ovarian function through nutrient absorption. However, the mechanisms have not been fully explored. To investigate whether colitis-induced dysbacteriosis of the intestinal flora affects ovarian function, mice were given dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) through drinking water. High-throughput sequencing technology was used to clarify the composition and proportion of bacterial flora as well as gene expression changes in the colon. Changes in follicle type, number, and hormone secretion in the ovary were detected. The results showed that 2.5% DSS could induce severe colitis symptoms, including increased inflammatory cell infiltration, severe damage to the crypt, and high expression of inflammatory factors. Moreover, vitamin A synthesis metabolism-related genes Rdh10, Aldh1a1, Cyp26a1, Cyp26b1, and Rarβ were significantly decreased, as well as the levels of the steroid hormone synthase-related proteins STAR and CYP11A1. The levels of estradiol, progesterone, and Anti-Mullerian hormone as well as the quality of oocytes decreased significantly. The significantly changed abundances of Alistipes, Helicobacter, Bacteroides, and some other flora had potentially important roles. DSS-induced colitis and impaired vitamin A absorption reduced ovarian function.

Effects of dietary supplementation with chlorogenic acid on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and hepatic inflammation in broiler chickens subjected to diquat-induced oxidative stress

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on broilers subjected to (DQ)-induced oxidative stress. In experiment 1, one hundred and ninety-two male one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were distributed into 4 groups and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 250, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg CGA for 21 d. In experiment 2, an equivalent number of male one-day-old chicks were allocated to 4 treatments for a 21-d trial: 1) Control group, normal birds fed a basal diet; 2) DQ group, DQ-challenged birds fed a basal diet; and 3) and 4) CGA-treated groups: DQ-challenged birds fed a basal diet supplemented with 500 or 1,000 mg/kg CGA. The intraperitoneal DQ challenge was performed at 20 d. In experiment 1, CGA administration linearly increased 21-d body weight, and weight gain and feed intake during 1 to 21 d (P < 0.05). CGA linearly and/or quadratically increased total antioxidant capacity, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities, elevated glutathione level, and reduced malondialdehyde accumulation in serum, liver, and/or jejunum (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, compared with the control group, DQ challenge reduced body weight ratio (P < 0.05), which was reversed by CGA administration (P < 0.05). DQ challenge increased serum total protein level, aspartate aminotransferase activity, and total bilirubin concentration (P < 0.05), which were normalized when supplementing 500 mg/kg and/or 1,000 mg/kg CGA (P < 0.05). DQ administration elevated hepatic interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 levels (P < 0.05), and the values of interleukin-1β were normalized to control values when supplementing CGA (P < 0.05). DQ injection decreased serum superoxide dismutase activity, hepatic catalase activity, and serum and hepatic glutathione level, but increased malondialdehyde concentration in serum and liver (P < 0.05), and the values of these parameters (except hepatic catalase activity) were reversed by 500 and/or 1,000 mg/kg CGA. The results suggested that CGA could improve growth performance, alleviate oxidative stress, and ameliorate hepatic inflammation in DQ-challenged broilers.

Establishment of an Enteric Inflammation Model in Broiler Chickens by Oral Administration with Dextran Sulfate Sodium

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of oral gavage of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to establish an enteric inflammation model in broilers. Forty 1-day-old male, yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into 2 groups with 5 replicates of 4 birds each for a 42-day trial. The experiment design used 2 groups: (1) the control group (CT), normal broilers fed a basal diet, and (2) the DSS group, DSS-treated broilers fed a basal diet. The DSS group received 1 mL of 2.5% DSS solution once a day by oral gavage from 21 to 29 days of age. The results showed that compared with those in CT, DSS treatment significantly increased histological scores for enteritis and mucosal damage at 29 and 42 days of age (p < 0.01) and the disease activity index (DAI) from 23 to 29 days of age (p < 0.01). DSS-treated broilers showed poor growth performance at 42 days of age, including decreased body weight and average daily gain and an increased feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01). DSS also caused gross lesions and histopathological damage in the jejunum of broilers, such as obvious hemorrhagic spots, loss of villus architecture, epithelial cell disruption, inflammatory cell infiltration, and decreased villus height. These results suggest that oral gavage of DSS is an effective method for inducing mild and non-necrotic enteric inflammation in broilers.