Effects of dietary supplementation with exogenous catalase on growth performance, oxidative stress, and hepatic apoptosis in weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide

Cordyceps militaris Extract and Cordycepin Alleviate Oxidative Stress, Modulate Gut Microbiota and Ameliorate Intestinal Damage in LPS-Induced Piglets

Cordycepin is considered a major bioactive component in Cordyceps militaris extract. This study was performed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of Cordyceps militaris extract (CME) and cordycepin (CPN) supplementation on intestinal damage in LPS-challenged piglets. The results showed that CPN or CME supplementation significantly increased the villus height (p < 0.01) and villus height/crypt depth ratio (p < 0.05) in the jejunum and ileum of piglets with LPS-induced intestinal inflammation. Meanwhile, CPN or CME supplementation alleviated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses by reducing the levels of MDA (p < 0.05) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum. Additionally, supplementation with CPN or CME modulated the structure of the intestinal microbiota by enriching short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, and increased the level of butyrate (p < 0.05). The RNA-seq results demonstrated that CME or CPN altered the complement and coagulation-cascade-related genes (p < 0.05), including upregulating gene KLKB1 while downregulating the genes CFD, F2RL2, CFB, C4BPA, F7, C4BPB, CFH, C3 and PROS1, which regulate the complement activation involved in inflammatory and immune responses. Correlation analysis further demonstrated the potential relation between the gut microbiota and intestinal inflammation, oxidative stress, and butyrate in piglets. In conclusion, CPN or CME supplementation might inhibit LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress by modulating the intestinal microbiota and its metabolite butyrate in piglets.

Effects of dietary N-carbamylglutamate supplementation on the modulation of microbiota and Th17/Treg balance-related immune signaling after lipopolysaccharide challenge

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on piglets' growth performance and immune response, and to unravel the mechanisms of such effects. In a 2 × 2 factorial design including diet (with or without NCG) and immunological challenge (saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)), 24 piglets were randomly distributed into four groups. After being fed a basic diet or a NCG-supplemented diet for 21 days, piglets were administered LPS or saline intraperitoneally.

RESULTS

The results showed that NCG increased the average daily gain and average daily feed intake, and the feed conversion ratio of piglets, and alleviated the adverse effects of LPS stimulation on intestinal morphology. At the phylum level, NCG reversed the increase in the abundance of Firmicutes and the reduction in that of Actinomycete caused by LPS stimulation. At the genus level, NCG increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, Blautia, norank_Butyricicoccaceae, Subdoligranulum, and Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group, and LPS decreased the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella and Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group. The short-chain fatty acid content was increased by NCG, but LPS reduced its content. N-Carbamylglutamate also inhibited significantly the LPS-induced increase in the relative expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3, related orphan receptor (RAR) c, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the decrease in the relative expression of STAT5, forkhead box P3, IL-10 and transforming growth factor beta 1 mRNA. A significant correlation was found between intestinal microbiota and inflammatory cytokines and short-chain fatty acids.

CONCLUSION

N-Carbamylglutamate can improve piglets' growth performance. It can also attenuate LPS-induced intestinal inflammation by modulating microbiota and Th17/Treg balance-related immune signaling pathways. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Protective effect of Macleaya cordata isoquinoline alkaloids on lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in broilers

OBJECTIVE

This experiment aimed to explore the protective action of dietary supplementation with isoquinoline alkaloids (IA) from Macleaya cordata on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in broilers.

METHODS

Total 216 healthy broilers were selected in a 21-d trial and assigned randomly to the following 3 treatments: control (CON) group, LPS group, and LPS+IA group. The CON and LPS groups were provided with a basal diet, whereas the LPS+IA group received the basal diet supplemented with 0.6 mg/kg Macleaya cordata IA. Broilers in LPS and LPS+IA groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (1 mg/kg body weight) at 17, 19, and 21 days of age, while those in CON group were injected with equivalent amount of saline solution.

RESULTS

Results showed LPS injection caused systemic and liver inflammation in broilers, inhibited immune function, and ultimately lead to liver injury. By contrast, supplementation of IA ameliorated LPS-induced adverse change in serum parameters, boosted immunity in LPS+IA group. Furthermore, IA suppressed the elevation of hepatic inflammatory cytokines and caspases levels induced by LPS, as well as the expressions of genes related to the tolllike receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factorkappa B (NF-κB) pathway.

CONCLUSION

Dietary inclusion of 0.6 mg/kg Macleaya cordata IA could enhance immune function of body and inhibit liver damage via inactivating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in broilers.

Tryptophan alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury and inflammation by modulating necroptosis and pyroptosis signaling pathways in piglets

The liver plays crucial roles in material metabolism and immune response. Bacterial endotoxin can cause various liver diseases, thereby causing significant economic losses to pig industry. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid in piglets. However, whether tryptophan can alleviate liver injury and inflammation by regulating necroptosis and pyroptosis has not been clarified. This study aimed to investigate whether dietary tryptophan can alleviate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in weaned piglets. 18 weaned piglets were randomly distributed to three treatments, each with 6 replicates: (1) control; (2) LPS-challenged control; (3) LPS + 0.2% tryptophan. After feeding with control or 0.2% tryptophan-supplemented diets for 35 d, pigs were intraperitoneally injected with saline or LPS (100 mg/kg body weight). At 4 h post-injection, blood samples and liver were collected. Results indicated that tryptophan reduced alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, decreased the mRNA expression and protein expression of 70-kDa heat shock proteins. Moreover, tryptophan increased the mRNA expression and protein expression of claudin-1, occludin and zonula occludens and decreased hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde contents, and increased catalase, glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase activities and proinflammatory cytokine levels in the liver. Meanwhile, tryptophan inhibited pyroptosis-related and necroptosis-related protein expression in liver. Collectively, tryptophan could relieve liver damage, increased the antioxidant capacity and reduced inflammation by inhibiting pyroptosis and necroptosis signaling pathways.

Effects of dietary supplementation with microencapsulated Galla chinensis tannins on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism of young broiler chickens

This study aimed to investigate the impacts of dietary supplementation with Galla chinensis tannins (GCT) on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism of young broilers. Overall, a total of 216 healthy 1 day-old broilers were randomly allocated to CON group and GCT group, and provided with a basal diet or a basal diet added with 300 mg/kg microencapsulated GCT, respectively, in a 21 days trial. Our findings indicated that dietary GCT addition had no significant effects (p > 0.05) on growth performance. However, GCT supplementation led to a significant reduction in the total cholesterol (TC) concentration in the serum and liver (p < 0.05). Furthermore, GCT supplementation significantly increased the ratios of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and HDL to TC in the serum, in addition to elevating the activities of enzymes related to lipid metabolism in the liver (p < 0.05). Dietary GCT addition also improved the antioxidant capacity of the broilers, as evidenced by a significant decrease in the concentration of malondialdehyde in serum and liver (p < 0.05). Additionally, the GCT group exhibited significantly increased expressions of hepatic genes associated with antioxidant enzymes (HO-1, GPX1, SOD2, SIRT1, CPT-1, and PPARα) (p < 0.05), while the mRNA expression of SREBP-1 was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) compared with the CON group. In conclusion, dietary addition of 300 mg/kg microencapsulated GCT improved the antioxidant status and lipid metabolism of broilers without affecting their growth performance.

Partial Replacement of Synthetic Vitamin E by Polyphenols in Post-Weaning Piglets

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient usually recommended in post-weaning piglets, when a decline in the serum vitamin E concentration is observed. Selected polyphenols have the potential to partially replace vitamin E in animal feed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the dietary inclusion of some commercial polyphenol products (PPs) on the growth performance, antioxidant status and immunity of post-weaning piglets. A total of 300 piglets (BW 7.18 kg ± 1.18) were randomly assigned to six dietary groups: CON- (40 mg/kg vitamin E); CON+(175.8 mg/kg vitamin E); and PP1, PP2, PP3 and PP4, in which 50% vitamin E of CON+ was replaced with PP with equivalent vitamin E activity. The PP1 group exhibited lower performance (p < 0.05) than the other dietary groups, but a similar performance to that commonly registered in pig farms. Dietary polyphenols did not influence the IgG concentration or the IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α cytokine concentrations. A lower IL-8 level was found in the PP4 group than in the other groups. The diets that affected the vitamin A content showed the highest value (p < 0.05) in the PP1 group, and a trend was noted for vitamin E with a higher content in PP4 and CON+. The polyphenols-enriched diets, especially the PP3 diet, maintained an antioxidant capacity (whole blood KRL) similar to the CON+ diet. In conclusion, the replacement of vitamin E with all PPs enables partial vitamin E substitution in post-weaning piglets.

Development and Recovery of Liver Injury in Piglets by Incremental Injection of LPS

This study aimed to explore the effects of the incremental injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on liver histopathology, inflammation, oxidative status, and mitochondrial function in piglets. Forty healthy Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire castrated boars (21 ± 2 days old, weight 6.84 ± 0.11 kg) were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 8) and then slaughtered on days 0 (group 0, without LPS injection), 1 (group 1), 5 (group 5), 9 (group 9), and 15 (group 15) of LPS injection, respectively. The results showed that, compared to the piglets without LPS injection, LPS injection caused liver injury in the early phase, as manifested by the increased activities of serum liver injury-related parameters (aspartate amino transferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, cholinesterase, and total bile acid) on day 1, and impaired liver morphology (disordered hepatic cell cord arrangement, dissolved and vacuolized hepatocytes, karyopycnosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration and congestion) on days 1 and 5. Meanwhile, LPS injection caused liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction on days 1 and 5, as reflected by the upregulated mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB; increased MPO and MDA content; and impaired mitochondrial morphology. However, these parameters were ameliorated in the later phase (days 9~15). Taken together, our data indicate that the incremental injection of the LPS-induced liver injury of piglets could be self-repaired.

Twin-bioengine self-adaptive micro/nanorobots using enzyme actuation and macrophage relay for gastrointestinal inflammation therapy

A wide array of biocompatible micro/nanorobots are designed for targeted drug delivery and precision therapy largely depending on their self-adaptive ability overcoming complex barriers in vivo. Here, we report a twin-bioengine yeast micro/nanorobot (TBY-robot) with self-propelling and self-adaptive capabilities that can autonomously navigate to inflamed sites for gastrointestinal inflammation therapy via enzyme-macrophage switching (EMS). Asymmetrical TBY-robots effectively penetrated the mucus barrier and notably enhanced their intestinal retention using a dual enzyme-driven engine toward enteral glucose gradient. Thereafter, the TBY-robot was transferred to Peyer's patch, where the enzyme-driven engine switched in situ to macrophage bioengine and was subsequently relayed to inflamed sites along a chemokine gradient. Encouragingly, EMS-based delivery increased drug accumulation at the diseased site by approximately 1000-fold, markedly attenuating inflammation and ameliorating disease pathology in mouse models of colitis and gastric ulcers. These self-adaptive TBY-robots represent a safe and promising strategy for the precision treatment of gastrointestinal inflammation and other inflammatory diseases.

Effects of dietary Galla Chinensis tannin supplementation on immune function and liver health in broiler chickens challenged with lipopolysaccharide

Herein, Galla Chinensis tannin (GCT) was examined for its influence on preventing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver damage in broiler chickens. Approximately 486 one-day-old healthy broilers were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups (control, LPS, and LPS + GCT). The control and LPS groups were fed a basal diet and the LPS+GCT group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg GCT. LPS was intraperitoneally injected (1 mg/kg body weight BW) in broilers in the LPS and LPS+GCT groups at 17, 19, and 21 days of age. The results manifested that dietary GCT addition attenuated LPS-induced deleterious effects on serum parameters and significantly increased serum immunoglobulin and complement C3 concentrations relative to the control and LPS groups. Dietary supplementation of GCT inhibited LPS-induced increase in broiler hepatic inflammatory cytokines, caspases activities, and TLR4/NF-κB pathway-related gene mRNA expression. Therefore, 300 mg/kg GCT addition to the diet improved the immune function of broilers and inhibit liver inflammation by blocking the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Our findings provide support for the application of GCT in poultry production.

Effects of Continuous LPS Induction on Oxidative Stress and Liver Injury in Weaned Piglets

Due to imperfections in their immune and digestive systems, weaned piglets are susceptible to invasions of the external environment and diseases, especially bacterial infections, which lead to slow growth, tissue damage, and even the death of piglets. Here, a model of weaned piglets induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was established to explore the effects of continuous low-dose LPS induction on the mechanism of liver injury. A total of forty-eight healthy 28-day-old weaned piglets (weight = 6.65 ± 1.19 kg) were randomly divided into two groups: the CON group and LPS group. During the experimental period of thirteen days, the LPS group was injected intraperitoneally with LPS (100 μg/kg) once per day, and the CON group was treated with the same volume of 0.9% NaCl solution. On the 1st, 5th, 9th, and 13th days, the serum and liver of the piglets were collected for the determination of serum biochemical indexes, an antioxidant capacity evaluation, and histopathological examinations. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of the TLR4 pathway and inflammatory cytokines were detected. The results showed that the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the serum increased after LPS induction. The activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the serum and liver homogenate of the LPS group were lower than those of the CON group, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the serum and the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver of the LPS group were higher than those in the CON group. At the same time, morphological impairment of the livers occurred, including hepatocyte caryolysis, hepatocyte vacuolization, karyopycnosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration, and the mRNA expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were upregulated in the livers after LPS induction. The above results were more obvious on the 1st and 5th days of LPS induction, while the trend during the later period was not significant. It was concluded that the oxidative stress and liver injury occurred at the early stage of LPS induction, while the liver damage weakened at the later stage. The weaned piglets probably gradually developed tolerance to the endotoxin after the continuous low-dose induction of LPS.

Effects of earthworm hydrolysate in production performance, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity and intestinal function of Muscovy ducks

Earthworm has a variety of molecular biological characteristic, for example, growth promotion, antioxidant, and anti-bacteria. Thus, we decomposed earthworm by earthworm's own protease for preparing of earthworm hydrolysate. Muscovy ducks were fed with basal diet that formulated to contain 1.5% and 2.5% earthworm hydrolysate. Then, we investigated the influences of earthworm hydrolysate on growth performance in Muscovy ducks by performance terminology and measurement for poultry (NY/T 823-2020). The morphology of duodenum and number of intraepithelial lymphocytes were tested by HE staining and immunohistochemical method. Serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant capacity were also determined. High-throughput sequencing technology can sequence 16S rDNA of cecal contents from experimental Muscovy ducks. Results showed that 1.5% earthworm hydrolysate increased ADG (16-70 days old), ALB, HDL-C, T-AOC, CAT, SOD, GSH-PX, villi length, intestine thickness and surface area of villi (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and reduced FCR (16-70 days old), UREA, CRE, LDL-C, MDA (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Meanwhile, 2.5% improved ADG (16-70 days old), abdominal fat yield, breast muscle yield, heart index, spleen index, ALP, UA, T-AOC, CAT, SOD, GSH-PX, villi length, crypt depth, intestine thickness, surface area of villi, the percentage of intraepithelial lymphocytes (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and decreased FCR (42-70 days old and 16-70 days old), UREA, UA, MDA (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The sequencing results of gut flora demonstrated that earthworm hydrolysate improved variety of the gut flora in the V4 area of ducks immensely. In a word, our results provide the foundation for preliminary researching the potential principles of earthworm hydrolysate in promoting production performance, adjusting antioxidant function and intestinal functions in the Muscovy duck industry.

Dietary Catalase Supplementation Alleviates Deoxynivalenol-Induced Oxidative Stress and Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Broiler Chickens

Catalase (CAT) can eliminate oxygen radicals, but it is unclear whether exogenous CAT can protect chickens against deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplemental CAT on antioxidant property and gut microbiota in DON-exposed broilers. A total of 144 one-day-old Lingnan yellow-feathered male broilers were randomly divided into three groups (six replicates/group): control, DON group, and DON + CAT (DONC) group. The control and DON group received a diet without and with DON contamination, respectively, while the DONC group received a DON-contaminated diet with 200 U/kg CAT added. Parameter analysis was performed on d 21. The results showed that DON-induced liver enlargement (p < 0.05) was blocked by CAT addition, which also normalized the increases (p < 0.05) in hepatic oxidative metabolites contents and caspase-9 expression. Additionally, CAT addition increased (p < 0.05) the jejunal CAT and GSH-Px activities coupled with T-AOC in DON-exposed broilers, as well as the normalized DON-induced reductions (p < 0.05) of jejunal villus height (VH) and its ratio for crypt depth. There was a difference (p < 0.05) in gut microbiota among groups. The DON group was enriched (p < 0.05) with some harmful bacteria (e.g., Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriales, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia/Shigella) that elicited negative correlations (p < 0.05) with jejunal CAT activity, and VH. DONC group was differentially enriched (p < 0.05) with certain beneficial bacteria (e.g., Acidobacteriota, Anaerofustis, and Anaerotruncus) that could benefit intestinal antioxidation and morphology. In conclusion, supplemental CAT alleviates DON-induced oxidative stress and intestinal damage in broilers, which can be associated with its ability to improve gut microbiota, aside from its direct oxygen radical-scavenging activity.

Maternal catalase supplementation regulates fatty acid metabolism and antioxidant ability of lactating sows and their offspring

Introduction and methods

As a crucial antioxidant enzyme, catalase (CAT) could destroy the cellular hydrogen peroxide to mitigate oxidative stress. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal CAT supplementation from late gestation to day 14 of lactation on antioxidant ability and fatty acids metabolism with regard to the sow-piglet-axis. On day 95 of gestation, forty sows were divided into control (CON) group (fed a basal diet) and CAT group (fed a basal diet supplemented with 660 mg/kg CAT), the feeding experiment ended on day 14 of lactation.

Results

The lactating sows in the CAT group produced more milk, and had higher antioxidant enzymes activity including POD and GSH-Px (P < 0.05), lower content of serum LDL as well as plasmic C18:3n3 content (P < 0.05). Additionally, maternal CAT supplementation improved offspring's body weight at day 14 of nursing period and ADG (P < 0.05), and regulated the antioxidant ability as evidenced by decreased related enzymes activity such as T-AOC and CAT and changed genes expression level. It significantly affected lipid metabolism of suckling piglets manifested by increasing the serum ALT, CHOL, and LDL (P < 0.05) level and modulating plasma medium- and long-chain fatty acids (MCFAs and LCFAs), as well as regulating the genes expression involved in lipid metabolism.

Conclusion

Maternal CAT supplementation could regulate the fatty acid composition and enhance the antioxidant ability of sows and offspring during the lactating period and further promote the growth of suckling piglets. These findings might provide a reference value for the utilization of CAT as supplement for mother from late pregnancy to lactation period to promote the fatty acid metabolism of offspring.

Dietary supplementation of squalene increases the growth performance of early-weaned piglets by improving gut microbiota, intestinal barrier, and blood antioxidant capacity

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary squalene (SQ) supplementation on the growth performance of early-weaned piglets. Twenty early-weaned piglets were randomly divided into two groups, the squalene group (SQ) and the control group (CON). The CON group was fed a basal diet, and the SQ group was fed a basal diet with 250 mg/kg squalene. The feeding period lasted 21 days. The results showed that SQ significantly increased the final body weight (FWB, P < 0.05), average daily gain (ADG, P < 0.05), and average daily feed intake (ADFI, P < 0.05) and significantly decreased the F/G ratio (feed intake/gain, P < 0.05) and diarrhea index (DI, P < 0.05). In terms of blood biochemical indicators, SQ significantly increased anti-inflammatory factors such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β, P < 0.001), interleukin-10 (IL-10, P < 0.001), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ, P < 0.01), and decreased pro-inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TFN-α, P < 0.001) and interleukin-6 (IL-6, P < 0.001). Furthermore, SQ significantly increased blood antioxidant indexes (P < 0.001) such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and significantly decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.001). The villus height (P < 0.001) and V/C ratio (villus height/crypt depth, P < 0.001) of the jejunum were significantly increased in the SQ group, while the crypt depth (P < 0.01) was decreased compared to the CON group. The intestinal permeability indexes, namely diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactic acid (D-Lac), regenerative insulin-derived protein 3 (REG-3), and FITC-Dextran 4 (FD₄), significantly decreased the concentrations in the treatment group (P < 0.001), and the antioxidant indexes of the jejunum, such as SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, and MDA, were improved by adding SQ. The qPCR results showed that adding SQ could significantly increase the mRNA expression of jejunal tight-junction proteins, such as zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1, P < 0.001), Occludin (P < 0.001), Claudin (P < 0.001), glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2, P < 0.001), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1, P < 0.001). Then, we used Western blotting experiments to further confirm the qPCR results. In addition, it was found that adding SQ increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Gemmiger (P < 0.01) and decreased the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Alloprevotella (P < 0.05), Desulfovibrio (P < 0.05), and Barnesiella (P < 0.05). It was interesting that there was a very close correlation among the fecal microbes, growth performance parameters, intestinal barrier, and blood biochemical indicators. In conclusion, the data suggest that SQ supplementation could effectively improve the growth performance of early-weaned piglets by improving the gut microbiota, intestinal barrier, and antioxidant capacity of the blood and jejunal mucosa.

Supplementation of Paraformic Acid as a Substitute for Antibiotics in the Diet Improves Growth Performance and Liver Health in Broiler Chickens

The current study aimed to explore the effects of supplementing paraformic acid (PFA) into broilers’ diet on growth performance, inflammatory responses, and liver protection. A total of 567 healthy one-day-old broilers were used in a 42-d study, and they were randomized into three groups. Broilers were fed a basal diet (CON group) or the basal diet supplemented with either 50 mg/kg aureomycin (AB group) or 1000 mg/kg PFA (PFA group). The results showed that the PFA and AB groups had a higher feed conversion rate than the CON group from day 21 to 42 (p < 0.05). Dietary PFA or aureomycin supplementation decreased serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, alanine transaminase, diamine oxidase, and D-lactate, and significantly increased serum concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, and complement C4 (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary PFA or aureomycin supplementation decreased hepatic levels of caspase-1, NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, and IL-18, as well as NF-κB mRNA expression (p < 0.05). Above all, PFA supplementation into the broilers’ diet improved growth performance, inhibited inflammatory responses, and benefited liver protection. The protective effects of PFA on the liver might be related to inhibition of caspase-1-induced pyroptosis via inactivating the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome axis in broiler chickens.

Dietary Galla Chinensis tannic acid supplementation in the diets improves growth performance, immune function and liver health status of broiler chicken

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Galla Chinensis tannic acid (TA) on growth performance, immune function, and liver health status in broilers. A total of 288 1-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly divided into two groups in a 42-days study. The two groups were a basal diet (CON group) and a basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg Galla Chinensis tannic acid (TA group). The results showed that the TA group had significantly decreased feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) throughout the experiment (P < 0.05). The levels of total protein, albumin, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, urea, total cholesterol, and glucose in the TA group were significantly higher than in the CON group (P < 0.05). In addition, the serum immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, and complements (C3, C4) levels in the TA group were significantly higher than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the hepatic interleukin-6, interleukin-18, NLRs family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, and caspase-3 in the TA group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Besides, TA group had significantly lower mRNA expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and NLRP3 in liver (P < 0.05). The TA group had significantly higher the mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2 than CON group in liver (P < 0.05). Moreover, TA group tended to decrease Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in liver (P < 0.10). To sum up, dietary supplemented with microencapsulated TA from Galla Chinensis had beneficial effects on growth performance, immune function, and liver health status in broilers. The protective role of TA from Galla Chinensis in liver health of broilers might be related to the inhibition of hepatic apoptosis and pyroptosis via inactivation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Effects of Dietary Macleaya cordata Extract Containing Isoquinoline Alkaloids Supplementation as an Alternative to Antibiotics in the Diets on Growth Performance and Liver Health of Broiler Chickens

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with Macleaya cordata extract (MCE) containing protopine and allotypotopine on the growth performance and liver health in broiler chickens. A total of 486 1-day-old male AA broiler chickens were randomly assigned to the following three groups: (1) control (CON) group, broiler chickens fed a basal diet; (2) AGP group (positive control), broiler chickens fed a basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg aureomycin; (3) MCE group, broiler chickens fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.6 mg/kg MCE including 0.4 mg/kg protopine and 0.2 mg/kg allotypotopine. The results showed that the MCE group had significantly higher final body weight and average daily gain from d 0 to 42 than the other groups (p < 0.05), and groups MCE and AGP both had significantly lower feed-to-gain ratio from d 0 to 42 than the CON group (p < 0.05). Serum total protein, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, glucose, immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin M, and complements (C3, C4) concentrations in the MCE group were significantly higher than in the CON group (p < 0.05). Dietary MCE or aureomycin supplementation significantly reduced the hepatic contents of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, malondialdehyde, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, NLRs family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), and caspase-1 in the liver (p < 0.05). Moreover, MCE or aureomycin supplementation significantly inhibited mRNA expressions of Toll-like receptor 4, myeloid differentiation factor 88, nuclear factor-κB, and NLRP3, as well as the expression ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 mRNA (p < 0.05). Therefore, our study suggested that dietary supplementation with 0.6 mg/kg MCE containing protopine and allocryptopine improved growth performance and benefited liver health in broiler chickens possibly through inhibiting caspase-1-induced pyroptosis by inactivating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway, and provided support for the application of MCE containing protopine and allocryptopine as an alternative to antibiotics in the feed industry.

Protective effects of paeonol against lipopolysaccharide-induced liver oxidative stress and inflammation in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

Paeonol (2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyacetophenone) is a phenol that exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. In this study, the underlying mechanism of paeonol against LPS-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in gibel carp was investigated. Three hundred healthy gibel carp were divided into five groups (n = 9), intraperitoneally injected with LPS and thereafter treated with paeonol (16 mg/kg and 64 mg/kg). Fish were anesthetized with MS-222 (100 mg/L), and samples were collected at 72 h to investigate plasma biochemical indexes, liver histopathology, antioxidant enzymatic activity, and TLR receptor-related gene expression. Fish injected with LPS (20 mg/kg) exhibited significantly increased plasma aminotransferase (ALT), aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose (GLU), diamine oxidase (DAO), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (P < 0.05). In addition, LPS challenge significantly enhanced myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, whereas those of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) decreased (P < 0.05). However, treatment with paeonol attenuated these LPS-induced changes (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of TLR4, TIRAP, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8, which were activated by LPS challenge (P < 0.05), were downregulated by paeonol. Additionally, histopathological examination demonstrated that paeonol alleviates LPS-induced hepatic tissue lesions in fish. Taken together, the results suggest that paeonol mitigates LPS-induced liver oxidative stress and inflammation in gibel carp.

Effect of Maternal Catalase Supplementation on Reproductive Performance, Antioxidant Activity and Mineral Transport in Sows and Piglets

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of maternal catalase (CAT) supplementation on reproductive performance, antioxidant enzyme activities, mineral transport, and mRNA expression of related genes in sows and offspring. A total of 40 pregnant sows at 95 days of gestation with similar parity (3−5 parities) and back-fat thickness were assigned randomly and equally into the control (CON) group (fed a basal diet) and CAT group (fed a basal diet supplemented with 660 mg/kg CAT; CAT activity, 280 U/g). The reproductive performance was recorded, and the placenta and blood samples of sows and neonatal piglets, as well as the jejunum and ileum samples from neonatal boars (eight replicates per group), were collected. Results showed that dietary supplementation with CAT significantly decreased the intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) rate and increased the activity of serum CAT in neonatal piglets and umbilical cords (p < 0.05). In addition, CAT supplementation tended to improve total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels in the maternal serum (p = 0.089) and umbilical cords of piglets (p = 0.051). The serum calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) of farrowing sows and Mn concentration in the umbilical cord, and serum Ca, magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), and Mn of neonatal piglets were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the CAT group. CAT supplementation downregulated mRNA expression of TRPV6 and CTR1 (p < 0.05), Cu/Zn SOD (p = 0.086) in the placenta and tended to increase the mRNA expression of the glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) (p = 0.084), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) (p = 0.063), and CAT (p = 0.052) genes in the ileum of piglets. These results showed that the maternal CAT supplementation improved fetal growth by decreasing the IUGR rate, and modulated antioxidant activity, as well as mineral elements in the pregnant sows and their piglets.

Increased Ingestion of Hydroxy-Methionine by Both Sows and Piglets Improves the Ability of the Progeny to Counteract LPS-Induced Hepatic and Splenic Injury with Potential Regulation of TLR4 and NOD Signaling

Methionine, as an essential amino acid, play roles in antioxidant defense and the regulation of immune responses. This study was designed to determine the effects and mechanisms of increased consumption of methionine by sows and piglets on the capacity of the progeny to counteract lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge-induced injury in the liver and spleen of piglets. Primiparous sows (n = 10/diet) and their progeny were fed a diet that was adequate in sulfur amino acids (CON) or CON + 25% total sulfur amino acids as methionine from gestation day 85 to postnatal day 35. A total of ten male piglets were selected from each treatment and divided into 2 groups (n = 5/treatment) for a 2 × 2 factorial design [diets (CON, Methionine) and challenge (saline or LPS)] at 35 d old. After 24 h challenge, the piglets were euthanized to collect the liver and spleen for the histopathology, redox status, and gene expression analysis. The histopathological results showed that LPS challenge induced liver and spleen injury, while dietary methionine supplementation alleviated these damages that were induced by the LPS challenge. Furthermore, the LPS challenge also decreased the activities of GPX, SOD, and CAT and upregulated the mRNA and(or) protein expression of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6, NOD1, NOD2, NF-kB, TNF-α, IL-8, p53, BCL2, and COX2 in the liver and (or) spleen. The alterations of GPX and SOD activities and the former nine genes were prevented or alleviated by the methionine supplementation. In conclusion, the maternal and neonatal dietary supplementation of methionine improved the ability of piglets to resist LPS challenge-induced liver and spleen injury, potentially through the increased antioxidant capacity and inhibition of TLR4 and NOD signaling pathway.

Supplementation with Exogenous Catalase from Penicillium notatum in the Diet Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Intestinal Oxidative Damage through Affecting Intestinal Antioxidant Capacity and Microbiota in Weaned Pigs

The present study aimed to explore the protective effects of exogenous catalase (CAT) from microorganisms against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal injury and its molecular mechanism in weaned pigs. Fifty-four weaned pigs (21 days of age) were randomly allocated to CON, LPS, and LPS+CAT groups. The pigs in CON and LPS groups were fed a basal diet, whereas the pigs in LPS+CAT group fed the basal diet with 2,000 mg/kg CAT supplementation for 35 days. On day 36, six pigs were selected from each group, and LPS and LPS+CAT groups were administered with LPS (50 μg/kg body weight). Meanwhile, CON group was injected with an equivalent amount of sterile saline. Results showed that LPS administration damaged intestinal mucosa morphology and barrier. However, CAT supplementation alleviated the deleterious effects caused by LPS challenge through enhancing intestinal antioxidant capacity which was benefited to decrease proinflammatory cytokines concentrations and suppress enterocyte apoptosis. Besides, LPS-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis was significantly shifted by CAT through decreasing mainly Streptococcus and Escherichia-Shigella. Our study suggested that dietary supplemented with 2,000 mg/kg catalase was conducive to improve intestinal development and protect against LPS-induced intestinal mucosa injury via enhancing intestinal antioxidant capacity and altering microbiota composition in weaned pigs.

IMPORTANCE Exogenous CAT derived from microorganisms has been widely used in food, medicine, and other industries. Recent study also found that exogenous CAT supplementation could improve growth performance and antioxidant capacity of weaned pigs. However, it is still unknown that whether dietary exogenous CAT supplementation can provide a defense against the oxidative stress-induced intestinal damage in weaned pigs. Our current study suggested that dietary supplemented with 2,000 mg/kg CAT was conducive to improve intestinal development and protect against LPS-induced intestinal mucosa injury via enhancing intestinal antioxidant capacity and altering microbiota composition in weaned pigs. Moreover, this study will also assist in developing of CAT produced by microorganisms to attenuate various oxidative stress-induced injury or diseases.

Dietary glucose oxidase and/or catalase supplementation alleviates intestinal oxidative stress induced by diquat in weaned piglets

This study investigated the effects of dietary exogenous glucose oxidase (GOD) and/or catalase (CAT) on the intestinal antioxidant capacity and barrier function in piglets under oxidative stress. Sixty pigs assigned randomly to five treatment groups-CON: basal diet; DIQ: basal diet; GOD: basal diet + 40-U GOD/kg diet; CAT: basal diet + 50-U CAT/kg diet; and GC: basal diet + 40-U GOD/kg diet + 50-U CAT/kg diet-were analyzed. On Day 14, the CON group was injected with saline, and the others were treated with diquat. The results showed that in diquat-treated piglets, supplementation of dietary GOD and CAT elevated the superoxide dismutase and CAT activities and attenuated the malondialdehyde level in plasma and intestinal mucosa, enhanced the duodenal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio, upregulated ZO-1 mRNA level, and attenuated the apoptosis of the epithelial cells and caspase-3 mRNA level in the intestine. Additionally, the supplementation upregulated mRNA expression of the intestinal NF-E2-related factor 2-regulated genes in diquat-treated piglets. However, GOD combined with CAT could not alleviate oxidative damage better than supplementation of CAT or GOD alone under oxidative stress. Overall, the study provides a potential alternative that could relieve the weaning stress in piglets and help formulate antibiotic-free diets.

Early Weaning Affects Liver Antioxidant Function in Piglets

Simple Summary

Early weaning is used to improve efficiency in pig production. However, early weaning may trigger liver oxidative stress in piglets. In this study, we evaluated the effects of early weaning on the development and antioxidant function of the liver in piglets. Our findings show that early weaning significantly decreases piglet body weight and suppresses liver development. We find that early weaning also suppresses the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (p < 0.05). It could be concluded that weaning may reduce the growth performance and liver antioxidant function of piglets.

Abstract

This study examined the impact of early weaning on antioxidant function in piglets. A total of 40 Duroc × Landrace × Large White, 21-day-old piglets (half male and half female) were divided into suckling groups (SG) and weaning groups (WG). Piglets in WG were weaned at the 21st day, while the piglets in SG continued to get breastfed. Eight piglets from each group were randomly selected and slaughtered at 24th-day (SG3, WG3) and 28th-day old (SG7, WG7). The body weight, liver index, hepatocyte morphology, antioxidant enzymes activity, gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, and Nrf2 signaling in the liver of piglets were measured. The results showed that weaning caused decreased body weight (p < 0.01), lower liver weight (p < 0.01), and decreased the liver organ index (p < 0.05) of piglets. The area and size of hepatocytes in the WG group was smaller than that in the SG group (p < 0.05). We also observed that weaning reduced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (p < 0.05) in the liver of piglets. Relative to the SG3 group, the gene expression of GSH-Px in liver of WG3 was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The gene expression of Nrf2 in the SG3 group was higher than that in the WG3 group (p < 0.01). The gene expression of NQO1 in the SG7 group was higher than that in the WG7 group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, weaning resulted in lower weight, slowed liver development, and reduced antioxidant enzymes activity, thereby impairing liver antioxidant function and suppressing piglet growth.

Effects of Coated Cysteamine on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Weaned Pigs

This study aimed to explore the effects of dietary coated cysteamine on oxidative stress and inflammation in diquat-induced weaning pigs. Twenty-four pigs were randomly assigned to three dietary groups with eight replicates: the control (fed base diet), diquat (fed base diet), and coated cysteamine + diquat groups (fed 80 mg/kg cysteamine). The experiment was conducted for 21 d, and consisted of a pre-starter period (14 d) and a starter period (7 d). Coated cysteamine treatment significantly increased (p < 0.05) the final weight and average daily gain (ADG) in pigs. The contents of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), immunoglobulin G (IgG), serine (Ser), and isoleucine (Ile) were elevated (p < 0.05) while the contents of albumin (ALB) and aspartic acid (Asp) were reduced (p < 0.05) in the serum after coated cysteamine supplementation. Coated cysteamine supplementation resulted in greater (p < 0.05) serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA in the colon, and the CuSOD mRNA expression in the jejunum (p < 0.05) and colon (p = 0.073). Coated cysteamine supplementation showed an increasing trend in villus height (p = 0.060), villus height/crypt depth (V/C) (p = 0.056), the expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) mRNA (p = 0.061), and Occludin mRNA (p = 0.074) in the jejunum. In summary, dietary supplementation with coated cysteamine improves the intestinal barrier function of the jejunum by increasing the immunoglobulin content and the relative expression of intestinal immune factor mRNA in pigs while alleviating oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions caused by diquat.

Effects of dietary glucose oxidase, catalase, or both supplementation on reproductive performance, oxidative stress, fecal microflora and apoptosis in multiparous sows

Objective

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary glucose oxidase (GOD), catalase (CAT), or both supplementation on reproductive performance, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in sows.

Methods

A total of 104 multiparous sows were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 26) with each group given a basal diet, basal diet plus GOD at 60 U/kg, basal diet plus CAT at 75 U/kg, and basal diet plus GOD at 60 U/kg and CAT at 75 U/kg. Sows were fed the experimental diets throughout gestation and lactation.

Results

Dietary GOD supplementation increased average daily feed intake of sows and litter weight at weaning (p<0.05). Dietary CAT supplementation reduced the duration of parturition, stillbirth, and piglet mortality and increased growth performance of weaned piglets (p<0.05). Dietary GOD and CAT supplementation enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and lessened oxidative stress product levels in plasma of sows and elevated antioxidant capacity of 14-day milk and plasma in weaned piglets (p<0.05). Dietary GOD supplementation increased fecal Lactobacillus counts and reduced Escherichia coli counts of sows (p<0.05). Compared with the basal diet, the GOD diet reduced fecal Escherichia coli counts of sows, but the addition of CAT did not reduce Escherichia coli counts in the GOD diet. Dietary GOD and CAT supplementation reduced the apoptosis rate of the liver, endometrium, and ovarian granulosa cells in sows (p<0.05). In the liver, uterus, and ovary of sows, the mRNA expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was downregulated by dietary GOD and CAT supplementation (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Dietary GOD and CAT supplementation could improve the antioxidant capacity of sows and weaned piglets, and alleviate hepatic, ovarian and uterine apoptosis by weakening apoptosis-related gene expression. Glucose oxidase regulated fecal microflora of sows, but supplementation of CAT to GOD could weaken the inhibitory effect of GOD on fecal Escherichia coli.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Garlic and Oregano Essential Oil on Biomarkers of Oxidative Status, Stress and Inflammation in Postweaning Piglets

The effects of two different concentrations of micro capsuled oregano essential oil (OEO) and purple garlic powder on biomarkers of oxidative status, stress, and inflammation, as well as on average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), were evaluated in piglets during the postweaning period. The trial was carried out with 300 crossbred pigs of 21 days of age fed with different concentrations of OEO and purple garlic powder and ZnO. Saliva and serum samples were taken to evaluate a panel of biomarkers of oxidative status, stress, and inflammation. OEO and garlic powder at 0.4% did not produce significant changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) and cortisol and yielded higher levels of the antioxidant biomarker CUPRAC in serum than higher doses (p < 0.01); they yielded a better ADG than the control and ZnO diets. OEO and garlic powder at higher concentrations than 0.4% showed higher concentrations of CRP (p < 0.05). Overall, doses of OEO and garlic powder at 0.4% did not lead to inflammation, stress, or negative changes in oxidative biomarkers in piglets during the postweaning period and gave better productive performance than the control and ZnO diets. High doses of OEO and garlic powder were ineffective and could negatively affect the animals. Therefore, our results highlight the importance of the dose used when OEO or garlic are supplemented to piglets.

Effects of a Diet Supplemented with Exogenous Catalase from Penicillium notatum on Intestinal Development and Microbiota in Weaned Piglets

This study aims to investigate the effects of exogenous catalase (CAT), an antioxidative enzyme from microbial cultures, on intestinal development and microbiota in weaned piglets. Seventy-two weaned piglets were allotted to two groups and fed a basal diet or a basal diet containing 2.0 g/kg exogenous CAT. Results showed that exogenous CAT increased (p < 0.05) jejunal villus height/crypt depth ratio and intestinal factors (diamine oxidase and transforming growth factor-α) concentration. Moreover, dietary CAT supplementation enhanced the antioxidative capacity, and decreased the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokine in the jejunum mucosa. Exogenous CAT did not affect the concentration of short-chain fatty acids, but decreased the pH value in colonic digesta (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Dialister were increased (p < 0.05), while Streptococcus and Escherichia-Shigella were decreased (p < 0.05) in colonic digesta by exogenous CAT. Accordingly, decreased (p < 0.05) predicted functions related to aerobic respiration were observed in the piglets fed the CAT diet. Our study suggests a synergic response of intestinal development and microbiota to the exogenous CAT, and provides support for the application of CAT purified from microbial cultures in the feed industry.