Economic and Productive Comparison of Rutin and Rutin-Loaded Chitosan Alginate Nanoparticles Against Lead-Induced Oxidative Stress in Cobb and Arbor Broiler Breeds

Rutin, a natural bioflavonoid compound, is one of the best-known antioxidants. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of rutin-loaded chitosan alginate nanoparticles (RCA NPs) against lead (Pb)-induced oxidative stress in two different broiler breeds. A total number of 240 chicks from Cobb (CB) and Arbor Acres (AR) breeds were randomly allocated into 4 groups/breed. The 1st group received standard basal diet (SD) and drinking water (DW) while the 2nd group received SD and Pb-incorporated DW (350 mg/L). The 3rd group treated with both rutin-supplemented SD (50 mg/kg feed), and DW contain Pb (350 mg/L). Finally, the 4th group administered RCA NPs-supplemented SD (50 mg/kg feed) and Pb-incorporated DW (350 mg/L). On the 40th day of experiment, broilers weighed, and blood samples collected for biochemical and hematological analysis then slaughtered. Economic efficiency, growth performance, and oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated. Gene expression level of growth-associated genes as insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) and histopathological changes were assessed in liver and intestinal tissue of both breeds. Our results revealed that Pb-treated birds exhibited the lowest average body weight gain (BWG) and economic efficiency measures in both breeds while RCA NPs-treated groups revealed enhanced growth and economic performance. Furthermore, diet supplementation with RCA NPs considerably enhanced the antioxidant enzymes activity and expression of growth-associated genes than groups treated with rutin alone specifically in AR breed. In conclusion, RCA NPs supplementation could be a promising nanoformulation in poultry production through enhancing the antioxidant capacity and bioavailability of rutin.

An Artemisia ordosica extract: Effects on growth performance, immune, and inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide-challenged broilers

Artemisia ordosica has been applied as a traditional Chinese/Mongolian medicine for treating csertain inflammatory ailments. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Artemisia ordosica alcohol extract (AOAE) supplemented in diets on growth performance, immune, and inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acre male broilers were randomly allotted into 5 groups with 6 replicates (n = 8), which were basal diet group (CON), LPS-challenge and basal diet group (LPS), LPS-challenge and the basal diet added with low (500 mg/kg), middle (750 mg/kg), and high (1,000 mg/kg) dose of AOAE groups (AOAE-L, AOAE-M, and AOAE-H), respectively. On d 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28, all broilers were injected intra-abdominally either with LPS or an equivalent amount of saline. Results showed that dietary AOAE alleviated the LPS-induced decrease in average daily gain and average daily feed intake in the broilers (P < 0.05). Dietary AOAE supplementation reversed the increased spleen index and the decreased bursa index in LPS-challenged broilers (P < 0.05). Moreover, feeding AOAE could mitigate the elevation of IL-1β in serum, liver, and spleen, IL-2 in serum and liver, IL-6 in serum and spleen, and the decrease of IgG in spleen, IgM in serum, liver, and spleen, and IL-4 in serum of the LPS-challenged broilers (P < 0.05). This study also showed that AOAE supplementation alleviated the increase of mRNA expression of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB p65, NF-κB p50, IL-1β, and IL-6, and the decrease of gene expression of IκBα and PPARγ in liver and/or spleen of broilers challenged by LPS (P < 0.05). We speculated that AOAE administration could effectively alleviate LPS-induced inflammation via decreasing over-production of proinflammatory cytokines, ultimately relieving the growth inhibition of broilers caused by LPS. In conclusion, 1,000 mg/kg AOAE has a strong capacity to enhance immunity and inhibit inflammation, and can be used as a potential novel feed additive with applications in treating inflammation-related diseases and bacterial infection in broilers.