Effects of dietary lycopene supplementation on intestinal morphology, antioxidant capability and inflammatory response in finishing pigs

The effects of specific vegetable subtypes on constipation incidence in the general United States population

Background

While the intake of larger quantities of vegetables has been linked to a reduction in constipation risk, which vegetables in particular underlie this risk reduction remains incompletely understood. As such, the present study was developed to explore correlations between the intake of particular vegetable types and the risk of constipation.

Methods

This cross-sectional analysis was based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected from 2005-2010. Classifications and intake assessments for different vegetables were assessed with the Food Patterns Equivalents Database (FPED), while stool frequency or stool consistency was used to define constipation. Relationships between the intake of particular vegetable components and constipation were assessed through a weighted logistic regression approach. Subgroup and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analyses were further employed to explore associations between specific vegetable subtypes and constipation.

Results

This study included 13,860 eligible subjects, of whom 1,405 and 12,455 were respectively classified into the constipated and non-constipated groups. Following multivariate adjustment, the intake of non-starchy vegetables including orange, red, dark green, and other vegetables was found to be positively associated with a reduction in constipation risk. In contrast, constipation was unrelated to total starchy vegetable or potato intake. Tomatoes, in particular, were associated with a marked decrease in constipation risk (odds ratios: 0.80, 95% confidence interval: 0.71-0.91). These results were confirmed through RCS and subgroup analyses.

Conclusion

Non-starchy vegetables, particularly tomatoes, were found to be associated with a pronounced reduction in constipation risk, which was unaffected by the intake of potatoes or starchy vegetables.

Association between dietary carotenoids intake and chronic constipation in American men and women adults: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Dietary carotenoids have been proven to improve intestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer, yet little is known about the link between dietary carotenoids and constipation. This study aims to examine the relationship between dietary carotenoids intake and constipation, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2010.

METHODS

A total of 11,722 participants were enrolled. Chronic constipation was defined as type 1 (separate hard lumps, like nuts) and type 2 (sausage-like, but lumpy) in the Bristol stool form scale (BSFS). Carotenoids intake was obtained from the average of two 24-hour dietary recall questionnaires (if only one 24-hour was available, we used it) and divided into quartiles (Q). The prevalence of constipation was calculated across men and women individuals. The relationship between dietary carotenoids intake and constipation in men and women was assessed with weighted logistic regression and smoothed curve fitting after adjusting confounders, with results displayed as weighted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The model was further stratified by age, race, and HEI 2015 scores (with median as cutoff) among men and women.

RESULTS

The total weighted prevalence of chronic constipation in this study was 8.08%, 11.11% in women and 5.18% in men. After multivariable adjustment, compared with the lowest intake, participants with the highest dietary lycopene intake (ORQ4 vs. Q1= 0.55, 95% CI: 0.36-0.84, p for trend = 0.01) and total lycopene intake (ORQ4 vs. Q1 = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.34-0.80, p for trend = 0.01) were negatively associated with the risk of chronic constipation in men, whereas increased dietary α-carotene intake reduced the risk of chronic constipation in women (ORQ4 vs. Q1 = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.48-0.98, p for trend = 0.04). Smoothing curve fitting further supported these results and provided evidence of dose-response effects. No association was found between other types of carotenoids and chronic constipation in men and women.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing lycopene intake may improve bowel function in men while increased α-carotene intake may reduce the risk of chronic constipation in women. Further studies are essential to explore the role that the intake of carotenoids plays in chronic constipation.

Effect of carotenoids on gut health and inflammatory status: A systematic review of in vivo animal studies

Carotenoids have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, being a potential bioactive compound for gut health. The objective of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of carotenoids on gut microbiota, gut barrier, and inflammation in healthy animals. The systematic search from PubMed, Scopus, and Lilacs databases were performed up to March 2023. The final screening included thirty studies, with different animal models (mice, rats, pigs, chicks, drosophila, fish, and shrimp), and different carotenoid sources (β-carotene, lycopene, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, and fucoxanthin). The results suggested that carotenoids seem to act on gut microbiota by promoting beneficial effects on intestinal bacteria related to both inflammation and SCFA production; increase tight junction proteins expression, important for reducing intestinal permeability; increase the mucins expression, important in protecting against pathogens and toxins; improve morphological parameters important for digestion and absorption of nutrients; and reduce pro-inflammatory and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines. However, different carotenoids had distinct effects on gut health. In addition, there was heterogeneity between studies regarding animal model, duration of intervention, and doses used. This is the first systematic review to address the effects of carotenoids on gut health. Further studies are needed to better understand the effects of carotenoids on gut health.

The Synergistic Effects of the Combination of L-Carnitine and Lycopene on the Lycopene Bioavailability and Duodenal Health of Roosters

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of Lycopene and L-Carnitine, individually or in combination, on various physiological and molecular factors related to intestinal health and absorption ability in Roosters, such as intestinal morphology, serum biochemical parameters, genes involved in Lycopene uptake, nutritional transport genes, and tight junction genes. The findings of the study revealed that the combination of L-Carnitine and Lycopene supplementation had been found to increase the serum concentration levels of TP and ALB. Interestingly, the relative mRNA expression of genes responsible for Lycopene uptakes, such as SR-BI and BCO2, was higher in the LC group compared to other groups. Additionally, the expression of specific nutritional transport genes in the duodenum was significantly affected by both CAR and LC supplementation groups. The tight junction gene OCLN showed a significant increase in expression in the combination group compared to using either Lycopene or L-Carnitine alone. This study concludes that using Lycopene and L-carnitine in combination in poultry feed can potentially improve intestinal morphology and serum biochemical parameters, increase Lycopene bioavailability, improve nutrients uptake, and enhance the integrity of duodenal tight junctions in Roosters.

Research Progress on Lycopene in Swine and Poultry Nutrition: An Update

Oxidative stress and in-feed antibiotics restrictions have accelerated the development of natural, green, safe feed additives for swine and poultry diets. Lycopene has the greatest antioxidant potential among the carotenoids, due to its specific chemical structure. In the past decade, increasing attention has been paid to lycopene as a functional additive for swine and poultry feed. In this review, we systematically summarized the latest research progress on lycopene in swine and poultry nutrition during the past ten years (2013-2022). We primarily focused on the effects of lycopene on productivity, meat and egg quality, antioxidant function, immune function, lipid metabolism, and intestinal physiological functions. The output of this review highlights the crucial foundation of lycopene as a functional feed supplement for animal nutrition.

Lycopene: a therapeutic strategy against coronavirus disease 19 (COVID- 19)

Lycopene is a group of phytochemicals found in nature, primarily in fruits and vegetables. Lycopene is thought to protect against a variety of diseases attributed to its antioxidant capabilities. Lycopene has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immunity-boosting qualities, among other biological and pharmacological benefits. COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has recently emerged as one of the world's leading causes of death. Patients may be asymptomatic or show signs of respiratory, cytokine release syndrome, gastrointestinal, or even multiple organ failure, all of which can lead to death. In COVID-19, inflammation, and cytokine storm are the key pathogenic mechanisms, according to SARS-CoV-2 infection symptoms. ARDS develops in some vulnerable hosts, which is accompanied by an inflammatory "cytokine syndrome" that causes lung damage. Immunological and inflammatory markers were linked to disease severity in mild and severe COVID-19 cases, implying that inflammatory markers, including IL-6, CRP, ESR, and PCT were significantly linked with COVID-19 severity. Patients with severe illness have reduced levels of several immune subsets, including CD4 + T, NK, and CD8 + cells. As a result, lycopene can be commended for bolstering physiological defenses against COVID-19 infections.

Effects of dietary dihydromyricetin supplementation on intestinal barrier and humoral immunity in growing-finishing pigs

In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary dihydromyricetin (DHM) supplementation on intestinal barrier and humoral immunity in growing-finishing pigs. The data showed that dietary DHM supplementation improved jejunal barrier function by upregulating the protein expressions of Occludin and Claudin-1 and the mRNA levels of MUC1 and MUC2. Dietary DHM supplementation increased the amylase, lipase, sucrase and maltase activities and the mRNA expression of nutrient transporter (SGLT1, GLUT2, PepT1) in the jejunum mucosa. Dietary DHM supplementation significantly reduced the E. coli population in the cecum and colon and increased the Lactobacillus population in the cecum. In addition, dietary DHM supplementation increased the contents of butyric acid and valeric acid in cecum and colon. In serum, dietary DHM supplementation reduced interleukin-1β (IL-1β) content and increased interleukin-10 (IL-10), Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) contents (p < 0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, dietary DHM supplementation improved secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) contents and down-regulated TNF-α protein expression in jejunum mucosa (p < 0.05). Together, this study demonstrated that dietary DHM supplementation improved intestinal barrier function, digestion and absorption capacity and immune function in growing-finishing pigs.

Lycopene alleviates multiple-mycotoxin-induced toxicity by inhibiting mitochondrial damage and ferroptosis in the mouse jejunum

Multiple mycotoxins contamination in foods and feeds threatens human and animal health after they accumulate in the food chain, producing various toxic effects. The common mycotoxins contaimination in feeds are zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON), and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), but the effects of their co-exposure on the jejunum are not well understood. Lycopene (LYC) has been reported to have antioxidant activity that alleviates jejunal damage. In this study, we investigated the possible role of LYC as a treatment to mitigate the combined effects of ZEN, DON, and AFB1 on the jejunum of mice. Eighty male specific-pathogen-free ICR mice were randomly allocated to treatments with LYC (10 mg kg-1) and/or ZEN + DON + AFB1 (10 mg kg-1 ZEN, 1 mg kg-1 DON, and 0.5 mg kg-1 AFB1). The results indicated that LYC alleviated ZEN + DON + AFB1-induced jejunal injury by ameliorating the jejunal structural injury and increasing the villus height/crypt depth ratio and the levels of tight junction proteins (zonula occludens 1 [ZO1], occludin1 and claudin1) in the mouse jejunum. LYC also inhibited the oxidative stress induced by co-exposure to ZEN, DON, and AFB1 via reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and enhancing the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). LYC also alleviated jejunal mitochondrial damage in the ZEN + DON + AFB1-affected mice, evident as an increase in mitochondrial fission 1 (Fis1) transcription and a reduction in mitochondrial mitofusin 1 (Mfn1) and Mfn2 transcription. Co-exposure to ZEN, DON, and AFB1 also significantly increased the transcription of ferroptosis-related genes (transferrin receptor 1 (Tfr1), ferritin heavy chain 1 [Fth1], solute carrier family 3 member 2 [Slc3a2], and glutathione peroxidase 4 [Gpx4]), TFR1 and Fe2+ concentration. Notably, LYC potentially alleviated ZEN + DON + AFB1-induced jejunal ferroptosis. These results demonstrate that LYC alleviates ZEN + DON + AFB1-induced jejunal toxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress-mediated ferroptosis and mitochondrial damage in mice.

Lycopene Affects Intestinal Barrier Function and the Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets via Antioxidant Signaling Regulation

BACKGROUND

In pig production, early and abrupt weaning frequently causes weaning stress, which manifests as oxidative damage, barrier disruption, and digestion and absorption capacity declines. Lycopene exhibits beneficial antioxidant capacity in both humans and other animal models.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of lycopene supplementation on early weaning stress in piglets and the underlying mechanisms by examining the oxidative stress state, gut intestinal barrier function, and the gut microbiota.

METHODS

Twenty-four 21-day-old weaned piglets [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire); castrated males; 5.48 ± 0.10 kg initial body weight] were randomly assigned to 2 treatments. The piglets were fed a basal diet (control treatment) or a basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg lycopene (lycopene treatment) for 28 days. The serum lipid levels, serum and jejunum enzyme activities, jejunum morphology, mRNA and protein expression, and gut microbiota were determined.

RESULTS

Compared with the control treatment, lycopene supplementation increased the serum catalase activity (P = 0.042; 62.0%); serum total cholesterol concentration (P = 0.020; 14.1%); and jejunum superoxide dismutase activity (P = 0.032; 21.4%), whereas it decreased serum (P = 0.039, 23.0%) and jejunum (P = 0.047; 20.9%) hydrogen peroxide concentrations. Additionally, lycopene increased the mRNA and protein expression of NFE2-like bZIP transcription factor 2 (214.0% and 102.4%, respectively) and CD36 (100.8% and 145.2%, respectively) in the jejunum, whereas it decreased the mRNA and protein expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (55.6% and 39.8%, respectively ). Lycopene also improved jejunal morphology, increasing the villus height (P = 0.018; 27.5%) and villus:crypt ratio (P < 0.001; 57.9%). Furthermore, it increased the abundances of potentially beneficial bacterial groups, including Phascolarctobacterium and Parasutterella, and decreased those of potentially pathogenic bacterial groups, including Treponema_2 and Prevotellaceae_unclassified.

CONCLUSIONS

Lycopene supplementation strengthens the intestinal barrier function and improves the gut microbiota in weaned piglets by regulating intestinal antioxidant signaling.