Nutritional modulation of intestinal drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 by butyrate of different origin in chicken

Dietary Protected Butyrate Supplementation of Broilers Modulates Intestinal Tight Junction Proteins and Stimulates Endogenous Production of Short Chain Fatty Acids in the Caecum

Short chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate has various beneficial effects on the gut microbiota as well as on the overall health status and metabolism of the host organism. The modulatory role of butyrate on gut barrier integrity reflected by tight junction protein expression has been already described in mammalian species. However, there is limited information available regarding chickens. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to monitor the effects of protected butyrate on claudin barrier protein and monocarboxylate transporter 1 abundance in different gastrointestinal segments of chickens as well as the growth performance of broiler chickens. The effect of protected butyrate on the caecal microbiota was monitored by quantifying the concentrations of total eubacteria and key enzymes of butyrate production. Furthermore, intestinal SCFA concentrations were also measured. Based on the data obtained, protected butyrate increased the overall performance as well as the barrier integrity of various gut segments. Protected butyrate also positively affected the SCFA concentration and composition. These findings provide valuable insight into the complex effects of protected butyrate on broiler gut health, highlighting the beneficial effects in improving intestinal barrier integrity and performance parameters.

Modulation of Hepatic Insulin and Glucagon Signaling by Nutritional Factors in Broiler Chicken

Influencing the endocrine metabolic regulation of chickens by nutritional factors might provide novel possibilities for improving animal health and productivity. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of dietary cereal type (wheat-based (WB) vs. maize-based (MB) diets), crude protein level (normal (NP) vs. lowered (LP)), and sodium (n-)butyrate (1.5 g/kg diet) supplementation (vs. no butyrate) on the responsiveness of hepatic glucagon receptor (GCGR), insulin receptor beta (IRβ) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the phase of intensive growth of chickens. Liver samples of Ross 308 broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were collected on day 21 for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. Hepatic GCGR and mTOR gene expressions were up-regulated by WB and LP diet. GCGR and IRβ protein level decreased in groups with butyrate supplementation; however, the quantity of IRβ and mTOR protein increased in WB groups. Based on these data, the applied dietary strategies may be useful tools to modulate hepatic insulin and glucagon signaling of chickens in the period of intensive growth. The obtained results might contribute to the better understanding of glycemic control of birds and increase the opportunity of ameliorating insulin sensitivity, hence, improving the production parameters and the welfare of broilers.

Gossypol detoxification in the rumen and Helicoverpa armigera larvae: A review

Gossypol, a phenolic compound found in the cotton plant, is widely distributed in cottonseed by-products. Although ruminant animals are believed to be more tolerant of gossypol toxicity than monogastric animals due to rumen microbial fermentation, the actual mechanisms of detoxification remain unclear. In contrast, the metabolic detoxification of gossypol by Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae has achieved great advances. The present review discusses the clinical signs of gossypol in ruminant animals, as well as summarizing advances in the study of gossypol detoxification in the rumen. It also examines the regulatory roles of several key enzymes in gossypol detoxification and transformation known in H. armigera. With the rapid development of modern molecular biotechnology and -omics technology strategies, evidence increasingly indicates that research into the biological degradation of gossypol in H. armigera larvae and some microbes, in terms of these key enzymes, could provide scientific insights that would underpin future work on microbial gossypol detoxification in the rumen, with the ultimate aim of further alleviating gossypol toxicity in ruminant animals.

Butyric and Citric Acids and Their Salts in Poultry Nutrition: Effects on Gut Health and Intestinal Microbiota

Intestinal dysfunction of farm animals, such as intestinal inflammation and altered gut microbiota, is the critical problem affecting animal welfare, performance and farm profitability. China has prohibited the use of antibiotics to improve feed efficiency and growth performance for farm animals, including poultry, in 2020. With the advantages of maintaining gut homeostasis, enhancing digestion, and absorption and modulating gut microbiota, organic acids are regarded as promising antibiotic alternatives. Butyric and citric acids as presentative organic acids positively impact growth performance, welfare, and intestinal health of livestock mainly by reducing pathogenic bacteria and maintaining the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) pH. This review summarizes the discovery of butyric acid (BA), citric acid (CA) and their salt forms, molecular structure and properties, metabolism, biological functions and their applications in poultry nutrition. The research findings about BA, CA and their salts on rats, pigs and humans are also briefly reviewed. Therefore, this review will fill the knowledge gaps of the scientific community and may be of great interest for poultry nutritionists, researchers and feed manufacturers about these two weak organic acids and their effects on intestinal health and gut microbiota community, with the hope of providing safe, healthy and nutrient-rich poultry products to consumers.

An open source physiologically based kinetic model for the chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus): Calibration and validation for the prediction residues in tissues and eggs

Xenobiotics from anthropogenic and natural origin enter animal feed and human food as regulated compounds, environmental contaminants or as part of components of the diet. After dietary exposure, a chemical is absorbed and distributed systematically to a range of organs and tissues, metabolised, and excreted. Physiologically based kinetic (PBK) models have been developed to estimate internal concentrations from external doses. In this study, a generic multi-compartment PBK model was developed for chicken. The PBK model was implemented for seven compounds (with log K_ow range -1.37-6.2) to quantitatively link external dose and internal dose for risk assessment of chemicals. Global sensitivity analysis was performed for a hydrophilic and a lipophilic compound to identify the most sensitive parameters in the PBK model. Model predictions were compared to measured data according to dataset-specific exposure scenarios. Globally, 71% of the model predictions were within a 3-fold change of the measured data for chicken and only 7% of the PBK predictions were outside a 10-fold change. While most model input parameters still rely on in vivo experiments, in vitro data were also used as model input to predict internal concentration of the coccidiostat monensin. Future developments of generic PBK models in chicken and other species of relevance to animal health risk assessment are discussed.

Investigations on hepatic and intestinal drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes in wild boar compared to domestic swine

Drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are especially important in wild animals as they are directly exposed to environmental pollutants and bioactive molecules of plants. Our main goal was to monitor the activity of certain CYP enzymes in wild boar compared to domestic swine, and to assess various modulatory factors of xenobiotic biotransformation in wild boar. Liver and intestinal mucosa (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum) samples were collected from 49 hunted free-range wild boars and 15 wild boar fetuses; domestic pig samples (n = 40) were gained from a slaughter house. Specific activity of CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 enzymes was assessed by luminometric assays. The activity of hepatic CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzymes was significantly higher in wild boars than in domestic pigs, while CYP2C9-mediated hepatic metabolism was significantly less intense in wild boars than in pigs. Certain modulatory factors (sex, sexual maturation, and season) were also confirmed in wild boars. The activity of all investigated intestinal CYP enzymes remained under detection level in each gut section in both species. Hepatic CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 enzymes were measurable in wild boar fetuses, but their activity was remarkably lower than in adults. The described interspecies differences might be explained with the altered exposure of wild and domesticated animals to specific CYP modulators. As CYP enzymes in wild boars can be highly influenced by environmental pollutants, following further studies, they may serve as ecotoxicological markers of agricultural or industrial toxicants. Investigating CYP-related drug metabolism in wildlife species can clarify some toxicokinetic interactions, thus having huge importance in the production of safe game meat.

Dietary curcumin enhances intestinal antioxidant capacity in ducklings via altering gene expression of antioxidant and key detoxification enzymes

The study investigated the effects of dietary curcumin supplementation on tissue distribution of curcumin and its metabolites, intestinal antioxidant capacity, and expression of detoxification-related genes in ducks. A total of 720 one-day-old male Cherry Valley Pekin ducklings (initial BW 58.6 ± 0.1 g) were randomly assigned to 4 dietary groups each with 6 replicates of 30 ducks using a single factorial arrangement design. Ducks in the control group were fed a basal diet and the remainder were fed the basal diet supplemented with 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg curcumin. The experiment lasted for 21 D. Curcumin was present at 13.12 to 16.18 mg/g in the cecal digesta, 75.50 to 575.40 μg/g in jejunal mucosa, 35.10 to 73.65 μg/g in liver, and 7.02 to 7.88 μg/mL in plasma. The jejunal and hepatic contents of curcumin increased significantly (P < 0.05) in response to supplementation with 400 and 800 mg/kg of curcumin respectively, compared with 200 mg curcumin/kg group. There was a linear (P < 0.001) effect of dietary curcumin on relative abundance of SOD1, GPX1, CAT, HO-1, and Nrf2 transcripts, and a quadratic (P < 0.001) increase in the activities of GSH-Px and T-AOC in jejunal mucosa. The expression of CYP1A4, CYP2D17 increased and CYP1B1, CYP2A6 decreased linearly (P < 0.001) with dietary curcumin concentrations. In addition, dietary curcumin increased gene expression of GST, MRP6, and ABCB1 in jejunal mucosa. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 200 to 800 mg/kg curcumin enhanced the accumulation of curcumin and its metabolites in jejunum as well as increasing the antioxidant capacity and detoxification potential, which play major roles in the protection of duck intestines against damage.

Effects of dietary butyrate supplementation and crude protein level on carcass traits and meat composition of broiler chickens

The short-chain fatty acid butyrate, either in unprotected or protected form, is widely applied as a growth-promoting feed additive in poultry nutrition; however, its possible effects on the carcass composition of broilers have not been fully elucidated. Further, lowering dietary crude protein (CP) levels is an important issue in poultry farming, contributing to ecologically beneficial lower nitrogen excretion. The main aims of this study were to test how unprotected and protected forms of butyrate and decreased dietary CP content with essential amino acid (lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan) supplementation ("LP-EAA" diet) affect carcass parameters and the chemical composition of muscles in broilers. Ross 308 chickens were randomized to seven groups ( n = 10 /group) receiving adequate CP-containing (normal protein, "NP") or LP-EAA diets, both supplemented with or without unprotected sodium butyrate, and NP diets with different forms of protected sodium butyrate. Carcass traits were measured, and the chemical composition of pectoral and femoral muscles was analyzed at the age of 6 weeks. Carcass weight was significantly increased by the LP-EAA diet and all protected butyrate types tested, while the relative breast meat yield was significantly higher in LP-EAA than NP groups and in both unprotected and protected butyrate-supplemented chickens compared to controls. The protein content of the femoral muscle was significantly decreased, but its lipid content was significantly elevated by the LP-EAA diet and by all types of butyrate addition. However, no changes were detected in the chemical composition of pectoral muscle. In conclusion, breast meat production can be effectively stimulated by dietary factors, such as by reducing dietary CP content with essential amino acid supplementation and by applying butyrate as a feed additive, while its chemical composition remains unchanged, in contrast to the femoral muscle. The aforementioned nutritional strategies seem to be the proper tools to increase carcass yield and to alter meat composition of broilers, contributing to more efficient poultry meat production.

Effect of dietary cereal type, crude protein and butyrate supplementation on metabolic parameters of broilers

This study investigates the metabolic effects of maize- or wheat-based diets with normal (NP) and lowered (LP) dietary crude protein level [the latter supplemented with limiting amino acids and sodium (n-)butyrate at 1.5 g/kg diet] at different phases of broiler fattening. Blood samples of Ross 308 broilers were tested at the age of 1, 3 and 6 weeks. Total protein (TP) concentration increased in wheat-based and decreased in LP groups in week 3, while butyrate reduced albumin/TP ratio in week 1. Uric acid level was elevated by wheat-based diet in week 1 and by wheat-based diet and butyrate in week 3, but decreased in LP groups in weeks 3 and 6. Aspartate aminotransferase activity was increased by wheat-based diet in week 3, and creatine kinase activity was intensified by LP in weeks 3 and 6. Blood glucose level decreased in wheat-based groups in week 3; however, triglyceride concentration was augmented in the same groups in week 3. No change of glucagon-like peptide 1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and insulin concentration was observed. In conclusion, an age-dependent responsiveness of broilers to dietary factors was found, dietary cereal type was a potent modulator of metabolism, and a low crude protein diet supplemented with limiting amino acids might have a beneficial impact on the growth of chickens.