Histological alterations of the intestinal villi and epithelial cells in chickens fed dietary sugar cane extract

Dietary rutin improves the antidiarrheal capacity of weaned piglets by improving intestinal barrier function, antioxidant capacity and cecal microbiota composition

BACKGROUND

Early weaning is prone to damage intestinal barrier function, resulting in diarrhea, whereas rutin, as a natural flavonoid with multiple biological functions, shows potential in piglets. Therefore, the effects of dietary rutin on growth, antidiarrheal, barrier function, antioxidant status and cecal microbiota of weaned piglets were investigated with the control group (CON) (basal diet) and Rutin (basal diet+500 mg kg-1 rutin) groups fed for 14 days.

RESULTS

The results showed that dietary 500 mg kg-1 rutin significantly decreased diarrhea index, serum diamine oxidase activity and total aerobic bacterial population in mesenteric lymph nodes, whereas it significantly increased the gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) and serum growth hormone content, jejunal villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio, and also enhanced jejunal claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1 mRNA and protein expression. Meanwhile, dietary rutin significantly decreased inflammation-associated mRNA expression, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, swollen mitochondrial number and mitochondrial area in the jejunum, whereas it increased the total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase activities and activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Moreover, dietary rutin significantly increased Firmicutes abundance and decreased Campylobacterota abundance, which were closely associated with the decreased diarrhea index and MDA content or increased Claudin-1 expression and T-SOD activity.

CONCLUSION

Dietary 500 mg kg-1 rutin increased G:F by improving intestinal morphology, and alleviated diarrhea by enhancing intestinal barrier, which might be associated with the enhanced antioxidant capacity via activating the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway and the improved cecal microbial composition in weaned piglets. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Early inoculation with caecal fermentation broth alters small intestine morphology, gene expression of tight junction proteins in the ileum, and the caecal metabolomic profiling of broilers

Background

The establishment of stable microbiota in early life is beneficial to the individual. Changes in the intestinal environment during early life play a crucial role in modulating the gut microbiota. Therefore, early intervention to change the intestinal environment can be regarded as a new regulation strategy for the growth and health of poultry. However, the effects of intestinal environmental changes on host physiology and metabolism are rarely reported. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of early inoculation with caecal fermentation broth on small intestine morphology, gene expression of tight junction proteins in the ileum, and cecum microbial metabolism of broilers.

Results

Our data showed that early inoculation with caecal fermentation broth could improve intestine morphology. The small intestine villus height was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the intervened broilers compared to the control group, especially on day 28. A similar result was observed in the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, we found early inoculation significantly increased (P < 0.05) the expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO1) on days 14 and 28, claudin-1 (CLDN1) on day 28, whereas the gene expression of claudin-2 (CLDN2) was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) on days 14 and 28. Gas chromatography time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (GC-TOF/MS) technology was further implemented to systematically evaluate the microbial metabolite profiles. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) displayed a distinct trend towards separation between the fermentation broth group (F group) and the control group (C group). The differentially expressed metabolites were identified, and they were mainly functionally enriched in beta-alanine metabolism and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. In addition, 1,3-diaminopropane was selected as a key biomarker that responded to early inoculation with caecal fermentation broth.

Conclusions

These results provide insight into intestinal metabolomics and confirm that early inoculation with caecal fermentation broth can be used as a potential strategy to improve intestinal health of broilers.

Effect of dietary raw and fermented sour cherry kernel (Prunus cerasus L.) on digestibility, intestinal morphology and caecal microflora in broiler chickens

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary raw sour cherry kernel (RC) or fermented sour cherry kernel (FC) on apparent digestibility, ileal morphology, and caecal microflora in broiler chickens. Raw sour cherry kernel was fermented by Aspergillus niger for 7 D. A total of 343 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were assigned to 7 dietary treatments consisting of 7 replicates of 7 broilers each. All birds were fed with a commercial diet or diets supplemented with 1%, 2%, or 4% RC or FC. The experimental period was 42 D. Apparent dry matter (DM), nitrogen and ash digestibilities were diminished (P < 0.05) by dietary RC inclusion, although dietary FC did not negatively affect (P > 0.05) nutrient digestibility. Dietary 1% FC increased (P < 0.01) the villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) compared with the other treatment groups, although RC4 reduced the villus height (VH, P < 0.001) and VH:CD (P < 0.01), compared with the control group. Dietary treatments had no effect (P > 0.05) on the crypt depth (CD). Birds fed 1% FC had the highest (P < 0.05) caecal Lactobacillus spp. counts among the treatment groups. Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli counts in cecum were not affected (P > 0.05) by dietary treatments. The results showed that the dietary inclusion of 1% FC improved ileal morphology and caecal microflora without any adverse effect on the apparent digestibility. These results indicate that FC has the potential to be a feed additive which improves intestinal health for broiler diets.

Impact of a sustained consumption of grape extract on digestion, gut microbial metabolism and intestinal barrier in broiler chickens

The effect of dietary supplementation with grape extract (GE) at 2.5 and 5.0 g kg-1 of feed on intestinal utilization of polyphenols and gut health of broiler chickens was determined. The ileal digestibility of grape polyphenols was higher for flavan-3-ol monomers [(+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin] than for dimers (Procyanidins B1 and B2) and galloylated compounds [(-)-epicatechingallate] and no differences among 2.5 and 5.0 g GE per kg dietary treatments were observed. The excreta concentration of benzoic, phenylacetic, phenylpropionic, and cinnamic acids and phenyl-γ-valerolactone phenolic metabolites was higher in birds fed GE, confirming hence the microbial metabolism of grape polyphenols to a relevant extent. Gut morphology and the total ileal mucin content were not modified by the dietary inclusion of GE, but a lower sialic acid concentration was observed in those birds fed a higher concentration of GE. Escherichia coli and lactic-acid bacteria ileal counts were reduced in birds fed GE. Overall, these results prove the extensive intestinal utilization and microbial metabolism of grape polyphenols in broiler chickens. Some antimicrobial and mucin-modulation effects were also observed after a sustained consumption of grape polyphenols during 21 days.

Effects of oral administration of essential oils on anti-immune stress, antimicrobial properties, and repairing the intestinal damage in broilers challenged by lipopolysaccharide

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of essential oils (carvacrol, thyme, and oregano) on anti-immune stress, antimicrobial properties, and repairing the intestinal damage caused by Salmonella enterica lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in broilers. A total of 100 Ross 308 broilers (21-d-old; 1.10 ± 0.11 kg) were randomly allocated to five groups: T1, basal diet + saline; T2, basal diet + LPS; T3, basal diet + 200 μL carvacrol oils + LPS; T4, basal diet + 200 μL thyme oils + LPS; T5, basal diet + 200 μL oregano oils + LPS, with 20 replicates each, and one chicken per replicate per cage. Those challenged by LPS resulted in an immune stress, which manifests as the abnormal growth (P < 0.05) in immune organs, and the content of immunoglobulin G (P < 0.05), tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.05), and the rectum temperature (P < 0.05) increased compared with other groups. The oral administration of essential oils controlled the immune stress to a certain extent. The essential oils could reduce harmful bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (P < 0.05) and Salmonella enumeration (P < 0.05), in vivo of broilers. Meanwhile, the essential oils repaired the intestinal damage, which showed a reduction in the villi height (P < 0.05) and goblet cell (P < 0.05) caused by LPS. In conclusion, the essential oils (carvacrol, thyme, and oregano essential oils) controlled the stress reaction and maintained intestinal health to a certain extent.

Effect of Astragalus polysaccharide and its sulfated derivative on growth performance and immune condition of lipopolysaccharide-treated broilers

This study evaluates the immunomodulating activities of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) and sulfated APS (SAPS) in LPS-infected broiler chicks. SAPS was derived using the classic chlorosulfonic acid-pyridine method. On day 16, the birds were injected intramuscularly with 0.5 mL of either saline, APS (4 or 8 mg/kg of body weight (BW), shorten as APS-4 or APS-8) or SAPS (4 or 8 mg/kg of BW, shorten as SAPS-4 or SAPS-8) once a day for three successive days. On days 19 and 20, the birds were intraperitoneally injected with 0.5 mL of LPS (1mg/kg of BW). Saline was used as blank control. Compared with the blank control, LPS-treated birds showed lower daily body weight gain (BWG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), villus height and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) number in jejunum, and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR, feed:gain), spleen index, plasma NO concentration, blood heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, and the production of NO in the blood T lymphocytes. Compared with the LPS group, birds in APS-4, SAPS-4 and SAPS-8 groups showed decreased FCR (P<0.05). Moreover, SAPS increased BWG and jejunal villus height (P<0.05) at 8 mg/kg BW. Plasma NO concentration was lower in APS-8 group than that in LPS group (P<0.05). Both APS-8 and SAPS-8 treatments elevated the number of jejunal IEL (P<0.05), and decreased blood H:L ratio (P<0.05), respectively. Administration of APS or SAPS did not affect the ADFI, immune organ index, crypt depth and mucosal thickness of the jejunum, and the number of goblet cell. Our findings suggested that APS and SAPS possessed dose-dependent growth-promoting and immunomodulating effect, and was a potential development direction for immunomodulator under early LPS stimulation condition.

Effect of dietary mannanase-hydrolysed copra meal on growth performance and intestinal histology in broiler chickens

We investigated mannanase-hydrolysed copra meal (MCM), which contains β-1,4-mannobiose (MNB), for its capacity to improve growth performance and activate intestinal villus function. Seven-day-old chicks were separated into four flocks with an equal mean body weight and then fed a basal diet (control) or a diet supplemented with 0.02% or 0.1% MCM. After 7 weeks, the feed intake and body weight were determined and then used to calculate the feed efficiency (FE). Moreover, the intestinal segments were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for cellular and morphological changes in the villus. Although feed intake was not significantly different among the experimental groups, the body weight gain and FE were significantly higher in the 0.1% MCM group than in the control group (p < 0.05), while feed intake tended to be higher in the 0.02% and 0.1% MCM groups. The cellular area of the ileum was significantly higher in the 0.02% and 0.1% groups in relation to that in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the cellular area of the duodenum and the jejunum tended to be higher in the 0.02% and 0.1% MCM groups. For the correlation analysis, a significant correlation was observed between the dosage of MCM and the cell area of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Moreover, the number of mitotic cells was higher in the 0.1% MCM group. As shown by SEM, the cells at the villi tips were protuberant in appearance in the 0.02% and 0.1% MCM treatments when compared with the relatively flat cells of the control. On the duodenal villus surface of the 0.1% MCM group, some cells devoid of microvilli were observed, suggesting that the increased protuberance of these cells represents increased absorption activity. Although intestinal villus height and area did not significantly differ among groups, the levels of these parameters tended to increase in the experimental groups relative to the control. The present morphological findings reveal that MNB might be effective for activating intestinal absorptive function, and that the functional activation promotes the growth of the chickens.

Effects of dietary red pepper on egg yolk colour and histological intestinal morphology in laying hens

To evaluate the effect of three kinds of red pepper supplementation 'Kagawa Hontaka' produced at Shiwaku Islands (KHS), Miki (KHM) and Takanotsume (TKT) on production performance, egg quality and intestinal histology in laying hens. A total of 32 laying hens (39 weeks of age) were randomly allotted to four groups, each comprising eight hens. Birds were fed a basal diet supplemented with red pepper at 0% (control), 0.5% KHS, 0.5% KHM and 0.5% TKT, respectively. Compared with the control group, no significant difference (p > 0.05) in feed consumption, final body weight, hen-day production, egg mass, feed efficiency, shell-breaking strength, shell thickness, shell ratio, albumen ratio, yolk ratio and Haugh units was observed among the experimental groups. Roche yolk colour fan (RYCF) value increased significantly in all experimental groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the KHS and KHM groups showed higher RYCF values than the TKT group (p < 0.05). Spectrophotometric measurements of yolk colour, redness (a*) and yellow index (YI) values were higher in the KHS and KHM groups (p < 0.0001). The yellowness (b*) value was lower in the TKT group (p < 0.05). The lightness (L*) value was lower in the KHS and KHM groups (p < 0.05). Villus height, villus area, cell area and cell mitosis in all intestinal segments tended to be higher in all experimental groups. Jejunal cell area and cell mitosis were higher in experimental groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). The cells on the villus tip surface were protuberated in all experimental groups. In conclusion, the KHS, KHM and TKT groups showed hypertrophied intestinal villi and epithelial cell functions. These results indicate that dietary red pepper has stimulating effect on intestinal villi and the structure of epithelial cells, and the 0.5% KHS and KHM groups improved in egg yolk colour.

Dietary plant bioactives for poultry health and productivity

1. Plants and their biologically active chemical constituents, sometimes called secondary metabolites or bioactives, present numerous opportunities for the improvement of livestock production by inclusion in the diet. 2. Many such plant derived materials have well established therapeutic values in man; however, their potential as feed additives in animal production, particularly of poultry, remains largely unexploited. 3. There is increasing evidence indicating that they can be efficient in controlling diseases, and plant bioactives may also influence production parameters such as feed efficiency and product quality. 4. It has been reported that they may even replicate some of the effects of antibiotic growth promoters, which were banned from use in Europe from 2006. 5. This review assesses the status of plant bioactives in poultry production and their mode of action on avian physiology, particularly in the digestive tract.