Effect of cellooligosaccharide or synbiotic feeding on growth performance, fecal condition and hormone concentrations in Holstein calves

Impact of synbiotics on growth performance and gut health in Murrah buffalo calves

Synbiotics have been used as biotherapeutic supplements for prevention of new-born calf gastrointestinal disorders. Present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of fructo-oligosaccharide, mannan-oligosaccharide and inulin along with Lactobacillus plantarum CRD-7 and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC15 on the nutrient digestibility, growth performance and faecal microbial population of pre-ruminant buffalo calves. Twenty-four Murrah calves (5 days old) were randomly assigned to four groups of six calves in each using randomized block design. Calves in Group I (control) received only a basic diet of milk, calf starter and berseem with no additives. Calves in Group II (SYN1) were fed 6 g fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) + Lactobacillus plantarum CRD-7 (100 ml). Calves in Group III (SYN2) were fed 9 g inulin + L. plantarum CRD-7 (50 ml), while calves in Group IV (SYN3) received 4 g MOS + L. acidophilus NCDC15 (200 ml) as fermented milk having 108 CFU/ml/calf/day in addition to the basal diet. The results revealed that digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and average daily gain were all higher (P < 0.05) in SYN1 as compared to control group. The antioxidant enzyme activity, humoral and cell mediated immunity performed well in SYN1, SYN2 and SYN3 as compared to control. Diarrhoea and faecal scouring were lower (P < 0.05) in all supplemented groups than control. Faecal Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium counts were also higher in SYN1 group followed by SYN2 and SYN3. Faecal ammonia, lactate, pH, and volatile fatty acids level were increased in SYN1 supplemented groups. The synbiotic combination of 6 g FOS + L. plantarum CRD-7 had better response on digestibility, average daily gain, antioxidant enzymes, immune response, faecal microbiota and metabolites and also reduce the faecal score and diarrhoea incidence. Therefore, supplementation of 6 g FOS + L. plantarum CRD-7 can be advised for general use in order to promote long-term animal production.

Effect of synbiotics on growth performance, gut health, and immunity status in pre-ruminant buffalo calves

Synbiotics are employed as feed additives in animal production as an alternate to antibiotics for sustaining the gut microbiota and providing protection against infections. Dairy calves require a healthy diet and management to ensure a better future for the herd of dairy animals. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the effect of synbiotics formulation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal bacterial count, metabolites, immunoglobulins, blood parameters, antioxidant enzymes and immune response of pre-ruminant Murrah buffalo calves. Twenty-four apparently healthy calves (5 days old) were allotted into four groups of six calves each. Group I (control) calves were fed a basal diet of milk, calf starter and berseem with no supplements. Group II (SYN1) calves were fed with 3 g fructooligosaccharide (FOS) + Lactobacillus plantarum CRD-7 (150 ml). Group III (SYN2) calves were fed with 6 g FOS + L. plantarum CRD-7 (100 ml), whereas calves in group IV (SYN3) received 9 g FOS + L. plantarum CRD-7 (50 ml). The results showed that SYN2 had the highest (P < 0.05) crude protein digestibility and average daily gain compared to the control. Fecal counts of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium were also increased (P < 0.05) in supplemented groups as compared to control. Fecal ammonia, diarrhea incidence and fecal scores were reduced in treated groups while lactate, volatile fatty acids and antioxidant enzymes were improved compared to the control. Synbiotic supplementation also improved both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in buffalo calves. These findings indicated that synbiotics formulation of 6 g FOS + L. plantarum CRD-7 in dairy calves improved digestibility, antioxidant enzymes, and immune status, as well as modulated the fecal microbiota and decreased diarrhea incidence. Therefore, synbiotics formulation can be recommended for commercial use in order to achieve sustainable animal production.

Effect of probiotic lactobacilli supplementation on growth parameters, blood profile, productive performance, and fecal microbiology in feedlot cattle

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) selected on the basis of probiotic characteristics were administered to beef feedlot catlle and the effect on body condition/growth and nutritional-metabolic status as well as on E. coli O157:H7 fecal shedding, were investigated. A feeding trials involving 126 steers were used to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus CRL2074, Limosilactobacillus fermentum CRL2085 and Limosilactobacillus mucosae CRL2069 and their combinations (5 different probiotic groups and control) when 10⁷-10⁸ CFU/animal of each probiotic group were in-feed supplemented. Cattle were fed a high energy corn-based diet (16 to 88%) and samples from each animal were taken at 0, 40, 104 and 163 days. In general, animals body condition and sensorium state showed optimal muscle-skeletal development and behavioral adaption to confinement; no nasal/eye discharges and diarrheic feces were observed. The nutritional performance of the steers revealed a steady increase of biometric parameters and weight. Animals supplied with L. mucosae CRL2069 for 104 days reached the maximum mean live weight (343.2 kg), whereas the greatest weight daily gain (1.27 ± 0.16 Kg/day) was obtained when CRL2069 and its combination with L. fermentum CRL2085 (1.26 ± 0.11 kg/day) were administered during the complete fattening cycle. With several exceptions, bovine cattle blood and serum parameters showed values within referential ranges. As a preharvest strategy to reduce Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cattle feces, CRL2085 administered during 40 days decreased pathogen shedding with a reduction of 43% during the feeding period. L. fermentum CRL2085 and L. mucosae CRL2069 show promise for feedlot cattle feeding supplementation to improve metabolic-nutritional status, overall productive performance and to reduce E. coli O157:H7 shedding, thus decreasing contamination chances of meat food products.

Modified dietary fiber from cassava pulp affects the cecal microbial population, short-chain fatty acid, and ammonia production in broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of modified dietary fiber from cassava pulp (M-DFCP) supplementation in broiler diets on cecal microbial populations, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), ammonia production, and immune responses. A total of 336, one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were distributed over 4 dietary treatments in 7 replicate pens (n = 12 chicks) using a completely randomized design. Chicks were fed the control diet and 3 levels of M-DFCP (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%) for an experimental duration of 42 d. The M-DFCP contained total dietary fiber (TDF), soluble dietary fiber (SDF), insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), cello-oligosaccharides (COS), and xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) of approximately 280.70, 22.20, 258.50, 23.93, and 157.55 g/kg, respectively. The 1.0 and 1.5% M-DFCP supplementation diets showed positive effects on stimulating the growth of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp., enhancing SCFAs (acetic, propionic, butyric acid, and branched SCFAs) and lactic acid concentrations during growing periods. Broilers fed 1.0 and 1.5% M-DFCP also exhibited a significant increase in caecal Lactobacillus spp. and lactic acid concentrations during the finisher period as well. In addition, M-DFCP also reduced cecal digesta and excreta ammonia production in broilers over both periods (0-21 and 22-42 d of age). However, M-DFCP did not exhibit any effect on total serum immunoglobulin (Ig) or lysozyme activity. In conclusion, this study shows that M-DFCP can be used as a dietary fiber source in broiler diets, with a recommended level of approximately 1.0%.

Potential Applications of Essential Oils for Environmental Sanitization and Antimicrobial Treatment of Intensive Livestock Infections

The extensive use of antibiotics has contributed to the current antibiotic resistance crisis. Livestock infections of Salmonella spp, Clostridium spp. and E. coli antimicrobial-resistant bacteria represent a public threat to human and animal health. To reduce the incidence of these zoonoses, essential oils (EOs) could be effective antibiotic alternatives. This study aims at identifying EOs safe for use, effective both in complementary therapy and in the environmental sanitization of intensive farming. Natural products were chemo-characterized by gas chromatography. Three S. Typhimurium, three C. perfringens and four E. coli strains isolated from poultry and swine farms were used to assess the antimicrobial properties of nine EOs and a modified GR-OLI (mGR-OLI). The toxicity of the most effective ones (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cz; Origanum vulgare, Ov) was also evaluated on porcine spermatozoa and Galleria mellonella larvae. Cz, Ov and mGR-OLI showed the strongest antimicrobial activity; their volatile components were also able to significantly inhibit the growth of tested strains. In vitro, Ov toxicity was slightly lower than Cz, while it showed no toxicity on G. mellonella larvae. In conclusion, the study confirms the importance of evaluating natural products to consolidate the idea of safe EO applications in reducing and preventing intensive livestock infections.

Influence of microbial probiotics on ruminant health and nutrition: sources, mode of action and implications

Globally, ruminant production contributes immensely to the supply of the highest quality and quantity of proteins for human consumption, sustenance of livelihoods, and attainment of food security. Nevertheless, the phasing out of antibiotics in animal production has posed a myriad of challenges, including poor growth, performance and nutrient utilization, pathogen colonization, dysbiosis, and food safety issues in ruminants. Probiotics (direct-fed microbials), comprising live microbial strains that confer health and nutritional benefits to the host when administered in appropriate quantities, are emerging as a viable, safe, natural and sustainable alternative to antibiotics. Although the mechanisms of action exerted by probiotics on ruminants are not well elucidated, dietary probiotic dosage to ruminants enhances development and maturation, growth and performance, milk production and composition, nutrient digestibility, feed efficiency, pathogen reduction, and mitigation of gastrointestinal diseases. However, the beneficial response to probiotic supplementation in ruminants is not consistent, being dependent on the microbial strain selected, combination of strains, dose, time and frequency of supplementation, diet, animal breed, physiological stage, husbandry practice, and farm management. Nonetheless, several studies have recently reported beneficial effects of probiotics on ruminant performance, health and production. This review conclusively re-iterates the need for probiotics inclusion for the sustainability of ruminant production. Considering the role that ruminants play in food production and employment, global acceptance of sustainable ruminant production through supplementation with probiotics will undoubtedly ensure food security and food safety for the world. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Role of probiotics in ruminant nutrition as natural modulators of health and productivity of animals in tropical countries: an overview

Given the ever-growing population in the developing countries located in the tropics of Asia, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean, the demand for products of animal origin has increased. Probiotics have proven to be a substantial substitute for antibiotics used in the animal diet and thus gained popularity. Probiotics are live and non-pathogenic microbes commercially utilized as modulators of gut microflora, hence exerting advantageous effects on the health and productivity of animals in tropical countries. Probiotics are mainly derived from a few bacterial (Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Propionibacterium, and Prevotella bryantii) and yeast (Saccharomyces and Aspergillus) species. Numerous studies in tropical animals revealed that probiotic supplementation in a ruminant diet improves the growth of beneficial rumen microbes, thus enhancing nutrient intake and digestibility, milk production, and reproductive and feed efficiency, along with immunomodulation. Furthermore, probiotic applications have proven to minimize adverse environmental consequences, including reduced methane emissions from ruminants' anaerobic fermentation of tropical feedstuffs. However, obtained results were inconsistent due to sources of probiotics, probiotic stability during storage and feeding, dose, feeding frequency, and animal factors including age, health, and nutritional status of the host. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of probiotics by which they exhibit beneficial effects is still not clear. Thus, more definitive research is needed to select the most effective strains of probiotics and their cost-benefit analysis. In this review article, we have briefly explained the impact of feeding probiotics on nutrient intake, digestibility, reproduction, growth efficiency, productivity, and health status of tropical ruminant animals.

Prebiotic and synbiotic effect on rumen papilla length development and rumen pH in 12-week-old calves

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Europe and the USA have banned antibiotics use as growth promoters. There is a need for alternative products that can ensure production and health protection. Prebiotics has been proposed as alternatives because these materials have wide-ranging physiological effects on gut function, activity of the large intestinal microflora, mineral absorption, and immunity. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of three different doses of inulin, a prebiotic, in combination with probiotic Enterococcus faecium (a new synbiotic) on postnatal rumen development by comparing rumen papilla length, width, muscle layer thickness, and content pH level.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Randomly selected 23 (±5)-days-old healthy male Holstein crossbreed calves, weighing 50 kg (±5 kg), were randomly allocated to seven groups, ten in each group. The calves were kept in a pen of 5, under the same conditions and were fed twice a day, ~3.5 liters of whole milk per feeding. Control group (C n=10) was fed with whole milk only (no additives were added). The six other groups (three prebiotics and three synbiotics) received food additives with their morning milk feeding. The source of prebiotics, Jerusalem artichoke powder concentrate (JAPC) contained 50% of inulin. JAPC in doses of 6 g, 12 g, or 24 g were added to the milk. Formed prebiotic groups were denoted as PreG6, PreG12, and PreG24. To evaluate if the addition of the probiotic E. faecium 2×109 colony forming unit g-1 to manufacturer recommended dose of 0.25 g improves inulin effect on rumen, it was added to all their JAPC doses. The new content synbiotic groups were denoted as SynG6, SynG12, and SynG24. On day 57 of the study, when all calves were approximately 12 weeks old, they were slaughtered in a certified slaughterhouse. Tissue cultures for histological analysis were obtained from Saccus dorsalis and Saccus ventralis of the rumen. Tissue culture staining for histology was carried out using hematoxylin and eosin staining method. Rumen histological samples were used to measure papilla length, width, and muscle layer thickness. Each sample was used to make five measurements on the present rumen papilla.

RESULTS

The results showed that by adding 12 g of inulin to whole milk when feeding calves improves rumen papilla development, which is seen by increased length and width of papilla, especially in the Saccus ventralis region. By combing this dose of inulin with 0.25 g of E. faecium, a significant increase of papilla is achieved. Saccus ventralis muscle layer in the rumen is thicker than it is in Saccus dorsalis regardless of addition of prebiotics or synbiotics.

CONCLUSION

The addition of inulin to whole milk can influence the pH of the rumen by making it more alkaline. The addition of prebiotic inulin and a novel synbiotic (inulin combined with E. faecium) can accelerate postnatal rumen development and improve its functionality.

The Recent Trend in the Use of Multistrain Probiotics in Livestock Production: An Overview

It has been established that introducing feed additives to livestock, either nutritional or non-nutritional, is beneficial in manipulating the microbial ecosystem to maintain a balance in the gut microbes and thereby improving nutrient utilization, productivity, and health status of animals. Probiotic use has gained popularity in the livestock industry, especially since antimicrobial growth promoter's use has been restricted due to the challenge of antibiotic resistance in both animals and consumers of animal products. Their usage has been linked to intestinal microbial balance and improved performance in administered animals. Even though monostrain probiotics could be beneficial, multistrain probiotics containing two or more species or strains have gained considerable attention. Combining different strains has presumably achieved several health benefits over single strains due to individual isolates' addition and positive synergistic adhesion effects on animal health and performance. However, there has been inconsistency in the effects of the probiotic complexes in literature. This review discusses multistrain probiotics, summarizes selected literature on their effects on ruminants, poultry, and swine productivity and the various modes by which they function.

Pollution by Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance in LiveStock and Poultry Manure in China, and Countermeasures

The demand for animal protein has increased considerably worldwide, especially in China, where large numbers of livestock and poultry are produced. Antibiotics have been widely applied to promote growth and prevent diseases. However, the overuse of antibiotics in animal feed has caused serious environmental and health risks, especially the wide spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which seriously affects animal and human health, food safety, ecosystems, and the sustainable future development of animal protein production. Unfortunately, AMR has already become a worldwide challenge, so international cooperation is becoming more important for combatting it. China’s efforts and determination to restrict antibiotic usage through law enforcement and effective management are of significance. In this review, we address the pollution problems of antibiotics; in particular, the AMR in water, soil, and plants caused by livestock and poultry manure in China. The negative impact of widespread and intensive use of antibiotics in livestock production is discussed. To reduce and mitigate AMR problems, we emphasize in this review the development of antibiotic substitutes for the era of antibiotic prohibition.

Effect of feeding fermentable synbiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus NCDC 298 and fructo-oligosaccharide) to Jersey crossbred calves up to 3 months of age

The synbiotic combination of L. rhamnosus NCDC 298 and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) is known to be effective against diarrhoea by preventing the adhesion of pathogens to the gutt, hereby, preventing infection and pathology. Such synergistic effect of the combination has emerged as a favourable alternative to antibiotic use against diseases and growth promoters in the livestock industry. The present study assessed the health and growth performance of the calves supplemented fermentable synbiotic fortified milk from 4 to 90 days and observed its performance till 120th day of age. Body temperature and passive immunity (IgG) were significantly better in calves fed synbiotics with notable increase in body weight and heart girth post synbiotic feeding period. These calves had increased dry matter intake per animal/day when compared to the control animals. The populations of Lactobacillus sp. elevated with decreased pathogenic bacteria (Coliform) in faeces on feeding synbiotics and it continued even after 90 days of age indicating colonization of beneficial bacteria. Therefore, feeding of fermentable synbiotics had observable beneficial effects on health, immunity and growth of the Jersey crossbred calves. The findings encourage further verification of fermentable synbiotics fortified milk as a potential growth promoter to young dairy calves.

Unraveling the hydrolysis of β-1,4-glycosidic bonds in cello-oligosaccharides over carbon catalysts

Larger cello-oligosaccharides undergo faster hydrolysis over carbon catalysts. This is attributed to reduction in activation energy caused by conformational change in the structure of oligosaccharides as they adsorb within the micropores of carbon.

Soluble Cello-Oligosaccharides Produced by Carbon-Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Cellulose

Cello-oligosaccharides are biologically important molecules that can elicit a defensive immune response in plants and improve the health of animals. Cellulose, a polymer of glucose linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, is an ideal feedstock for synthesis of cello-oligosaccharides. However, cello-oligosaccharides rapidly degrade under the conditions used for cellulose hydrolysis. Here, cellulose was hydrolyzed over a carbon catalyst in a semi-flow reactor to achieve a high yield of cello-oligosaccharides (72 %). The excellent activity of the oxidized carbon catalyst, the adsorption of cellulose on the catalyst, and the high space velocity of products in the reactor were essential. Moreover, a method for quantification of individual cello-oligosaccharides was developed, which suggested a reduction in the rate of hydrolysis with a reduction in chain length.

The Influences of Soybean Agglutinin and Functional Oligosaccharides on the Intestinal Tract of Monogastric Animals

Soybean agglutinin (SBA) is a non-fiber carbohydrate-related protein and the main anti-nutritional factor that exists in soybean or soybean products. SBA possesses a specific binding affinity for N-glyphthalide-d-galactosamine or galactose and has a covalently linked oligosaccharide chain. SBA mediates negative effects on animal intestinal health by influencing the intestinal structure, barrier function, mucosal immune system, and the balance of the intestinal flora. Functional oligosaccharides are non-digestible dietary oligosaccharides that are commonly applied as prebiotics since the biological effects of the functional oligosaccharides are to increase the host health by improving mucosal structure and function, protecting the integrity of the intestinal structure, modulating immunity, and balancing the gastrointestinal microbiota. The purpose of this review is to describe the structure and anti-nutritional functions of SBA, summarize the influence of SBA and functional oligosaccharides on the intestinal tract of monogastric animals, and emphasize the relationship between SBA and oligosaccharides. This review provides perspectives on applying functional oligosaccharides for alleviating the anti-nutritional effects of SBA on the intestinal tract.

Synbiotics for Improved Human Health: Recent Developments, Challenges, and Opportunities

Research on combining pro- and prebiotics as synbiotics to enhance human and animal health has accelerated in the past 10 years, including many clinical trials that have assessed a diverse range of synbiotic formulations. In this review, we summarize these studies as well as the commercial applications of synbiotics that are available. In particular, we critically assess the claimed health benefits of synbiotic applications and the ecological and therapeutic factors to consider when designing synbiotics and discuss the implications of these concepts for future research in this field.

Preparation of cellulase concoction using differential adsorption phenomenon

Controlled depolymerization of cellulose is essential for the production of valuable cellooligosaccharides and cellobiose from lignocellulosic biomass. However, enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis involves multiple synergistically acting enzymes, making difficult to control the depolymerization process and generate desired product. This work exploits the varying adsorption properties of the cellulase components to the cellulosic substrate and aims to control the enzyme activity. Cellulase adsorption was favored on pretreated cellulosic biomass as compared to synthetic cellulose. Preferential adsorption of exocellulases was observed over endocellulase, while β-glucosidases remained unadsorbed. Adsorbed enzyme fraction with bound exocellulases when used for hydrolysis generated cellobiose predominantly, while the unadsorbed enzymes in the liquid fraction produced cellooligosaccharides majorly, owing to its high endocellulases activity. Thus, the differential adsorption phenomenon of the cellulase components can be used for the controlling cellulose hydrolysis for the production of an array of sugars.

Weight gain by gut microbiota manipulation in productive animals

Antibiotics, prebiotics and probiotics are widely used as growth promoters in agriculture. In the 1940s, use of Streptomyces aureofaciens probiotics resulted in weight gain in animals, which led to the discovery of chlortetracycline. Tetracyclines, macrolides, avoparcin and penicillins have been commonly used in livestock agriculture to promote growth through increased food intake, weight gain, and improved herd health. Prebiotic supplements including oligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, and galactosyl-lactose improve the growth performance of animals. Probiotics used in animal feed are mainly bacterial strains of Gram-positive bacteria and have been effectively used for weight gain in chickens, pigs, ruminants and in aquaculture. Antibiotics, prebiotics and probiotics all modify the gut microbiota and the effect of a probiotic species on the digestive flora is probably determined by bacteriocin production. Regulations governing the introduction of novel probiotics and prebiotics vary by geographical region and bias is very common in industry-funded studies. Probiotic and prebiotic foods have been consumed for centuries, either as natural components of food, or as fermented foods and it is possible to cause the same weight gain effects in humans as in animals. This review presents the use of growth promoters in food-producing animals to influence food intake and weight gain.

Effect of Probiotics/Prebiotics on Cattle Health and Productivity

Probiotics/prebiotics have the ability to modulate the balance and activities of the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota, and are, thus, considered beneficial to the host animal and have been used as functional foods. Numerous factors, such as dietary and management constraints, have been shown to markedly affect the structure and activities of gut microbial communities in livestock animals. Previous studies reported the potential of probiotics and prebiotics in animal nutrition; however, their efficacies often vary and are inconsistent, possibly, in part, because the dynamics of the GI community have not been taken into consideration. Under stressed conditions, direct-fed microbials may be used to reduce the risk or severity of scours caused by disruption of the normal intestinal environment. The observable benefits of prebiotics may also be minimal in generally healthy calves, in which the microbial community is relatively stable. However, probiotic yeast strains have been administered with the aim of improving rumen fermentation efficiency by modulating microbial fermentation pathways. This review mainly focused on the benefits of probiotics/prebiotics on the GI microbial ecosystem in ruminants, which is deeply involved in nutrition and health for the animal.

Alpha-Tocopherol Alters Transcription Activities that Modulates Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) Induced Inflammatory Response in Bovine Cells

To further investigate the potential role of α-tocopherol in maintaining immuno-homeostasis in bovine cells (Madin-Darby bovine kidney epithelial cell line), we undertook in vitro experiments using recombinant TNF-α as an immuno-stimulant to simulate inflammation response in cells with or without α-tocopherol pre-treatment. Using microarray global-profiling and IPA (Ingenuity Pathways Analysis, Ingenuity^® Systems, http://www.ingenuity.com) data analysis on TNF-α-induced gene perturbation in those cells, we focused on determining whether α-tocopherol treatment of normal bovine cells in a standard cell culture condition can modify cell’s immune response induced by TNF-α challenge. When three datasets were filtered and compared using IPA, there were a total of 1750 genes in all three datasets for comparison, 97 genes were common in all three sets; 615 genes were common in at least two datasets; there were 261 genes unique in TNF-α challenge, 399 genes were unique in α-tocopherol treatment, and 378 genes were unique in the α-tocopherol plus TNF-α treatment. TNF-α challenge induced significant change in gene expression. Many of those genes induced by TNF-α are related to the cells immune and inflammatory responses. The results of IPA data analysis showed that α-tocopherol-pretreatment of cells modulated cell’s response to TNF-α challenge. In most of the canonical pathways, α-tocopherol pretreatment showed the antagonistic effect against the TNF-α-induced pro-inflammatory responses. We concluded that α-tocopherol pre-treatment has a significant antagonistic effect that modulates the cell’s response to the TNF-α challenge by altering the gene expression activities of some important signaling molecules.