Olive oil bioactives protect pigs against experimentally-induced chronic inflammation independently of alterations in gut microbiota

Impact of including two types of destoned olive cakes in pigs' diets on fecal bacterial composition and study of the relationship between fecal microbiota, feed efficiency, gut fermentation, and gaseous emissions

The microbial population in the pig's gastrointestinal tract can be influenced by incorporating fibrous by-products into the diets. This study investigated the impact of including two types of dried olive cake (OC) in pigs' diets on fecal bacterial composition. The correlation between fecal microbiota and growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut fermentation pattern and slurry gas emissions was also evaluated. Thirty male Pietrain x (Landrace x Large white) pigs (47.9 ± 4.21 kg) were assigned to three groups: a control group (C), a group fed a diet with 20% partially defatted OC (20PDOC), and a group fed a diet with 20% cyclone OC (20COC) for 21 days. Fecal samples collected before and after providing the experimental diets were analyzed for the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Pigs were weighed, and feed intake was recorded throughout the study. Potential ammonia and methane emissions from slurry were measured. No significant differences in alpha diversity indexes were found. The taxonomic analysis revealed that Firmicutes and Bacteroidota phyla were dominant at the phylum level across all groups. Differential abundance analysis using ALDEx showed significant differences among groups for various bacteria at the phylum, genus, and species levels at the end of the experiment. Pigs from 20PDOC and 20COC groups exhibited increased abundances of health-promoting bacteria, such as Plactomycetota at the phylum level and Allisonella and an unidentified genus from the Eggerthellaceae family at the genus level. These changes influenced short-chain fatty acids' (SCFA) concentration in slurries, leading to greater acetic, butyric, caproic and heptanoic acids in OC-fed groups, especially 20COC pigs. A volatility analysis revealed significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) between Uncultured_Bacteroidales and Unculured_Selenomonadaceae and energy digestibility. Monoglobus and Desulfovibrio showed a positive significant (p < 0.05) correlation with total SCFA, indicating a high impact on gut fermentation. However, growth performance parameters and potential gas emission displayed no significant correlations with a specific bacterial genus. In conclusion, our results suggest that OC inclusion into pig diets could positively modulate and contribute to the gut microbiota's favorable composition and functionality. Also, nutrient digestibility and gut fermentation patterns can be associated with specific microbial populations.

A microencapsulated blend of botanicals supports weaning piglets during a lipopolysaccharide challenge by modulating liver inflammation and intestinal integrity

This study examined the action of a blend of botanicals (BOT) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation on cultured hepatocytes and weaning piglets. In vitro studies examined HepG2 cells treated with BOT and challenged with Escherichiacoli LPS for 8 d. BOT treatment reduced IL-6 concentration in cell culture media across time (P < 0.05) and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression on days 1 and 8 of experiment (TNFα, IL-1β; P < 0.05). BOT also increased the expression of antioxidant enzymes (GPX-2, SOD, CAT) on day 8 (P < 0.05), which was supported by lowered reactive oxygen species concentration after LPS challenge (P < 0.1). The in vivo study was conducted with 72 weaning pigs, allotted into 24 pens and divided into 3 groups: a negative control (CTR-, basal diet), a challenged control (CTR+) that received an intraperitoneal injection of E. coli O55:B5 LPS on days 14 and 16, and a challenged treated group which received a diet containing 1.5 g/kg of microencapsulated BOT (BOT+) for the whole duration of the study. Growth performance was determined weekly and, on days 21 (1 animal per pen) and 28 (remaining animals), pigs were sacrificed to collect liver and jejunal tissues. After the challenge, BOT+ pigs had increased BW on days 21 (P < 0.05) and 28 (P < 0.1) compared to CTR+. Similar improvements in average daily gain and FCR on days 14 to 21 (P < 0.05) and 21 to 28 (P < 0.1) were also seen in BOT+ group. In the liver, compared to CTR+ pigs, BOT+ pigs had downregulated expression of TLR-4, IL-6, IFN-γ on day 21 (P < 0.05), and TLR-4, TNF-α, IL-8 on day 28 (P < 0.05). BOT+ also increased GPX-2 expression on days 21 and 28 (P < 0.05), while also upregulating SOD-1 and SOD-2 on day 21 (P < 0.05) and CAT on day 28 (P < 0.05) compared to CTR+. In the jejunum, BOT+ reduced inflammation by affecting cytokine expression (P < 0.05) and increasing the expression of tight-junction proteins, ZO-1 on day 21 and CLD-1 on day 28 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, BOT+ pigs had lower crypt depth on days 21 (P < 0.1) and 28 (P < 0.05), and increased villi-to-crypt ratio on days 21 and 28 (P < 0.05). By day 28, BOT+ intestinal measurements were restored to values similar to the CTR-. Finally, BOT+ also reduced mast cell activation on day 21 (P < 0.05) compared to CTR+. Considering all the findings, BOT controlled inflammatory activation and oxidative stress in liver cells, enhanced intestinal integrity, and as a result improved the growth performance of weaning piglets challenged with LPS.

Integrated analysis of microbiome and host transcriptome reveals the damage/protective mechanism of corn oil and olive oil on the gut health of grouper (♀ Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂ E. lanceolatu)

As digestive and immune organs of animals, the gut was frequently used to evaluate the health status of aquatic animals. In previous oil source alternatives study, corn oil (CO) had been found to induce gut inflammation, while olive oil (OO) had been found to be effective in protecting intestinal health. Three diets with different oil sources (fish oil, CO, OO) were formulated for an 8-week culture experiment, and it was proposed to combine 16S sequencing and transcriptome sequencing analysis to preliminarily elucidate the damage/protection mechanism of CO and OO on the gut health of grouper (♀ Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂ E. lanceolatu). We found that CO indeed damaged to gut health and destroyed the gut structure, while OO had a positive outcome in protecting the gut structure, promoting digestibility and relieving enteritis. Photobacterium, Romboutsia and Epulopiscium were significantly enriched in OO group and Staphylococcus were significantly enriched in CO group. Transcriptome sequencing further revealed CO could activated Complement and coagulation cascades, Staphylococcus aureus infection, Systemic lupus erythematosus, and Tuberculosis pathways; conversely, OO activated B-cell signaling receptors, promoted B-cell proliferation and apoptosis, and thus activated B-cell signaling pathways to enhance immunity, whereas OO can regulate IL17 signaling pathway and TNF signaling pathway to inhibit NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce pro-inflammatory response. By integrating the microbiome and transcriptome, further identified all differential microorganisms were directly and significantly correlated with differential genes, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Romboutsia, Staphylococcus might as the core regulates the expression of differential gene in the organism. These results reveal that different oil sources alter gut gene expression mainly by modulating the composition and abundance of gut microbiota, further regulating the health status of the gut. Gut microbiota could be used as biomarkers to provide reference and solutions for the mitigation of inflammation in aquatic animals.

Beneficial Effects of Plant Oils Supplementation on Multiple Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical and Experimental Studies

Multiple sclerosis disease (MS) is a 38.5 chronic neurological autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system, and its incidence is increasing globally. At present, there is no cure for this disease, and with its severity and disabling variety, it is important to search for possibilities that could help to slow its progression. It is recognized that the mechanisms of MS pathology, its development and degree of activity can be affected by dietary factors. In this review, the beneficial health effects of 10 plants oils-mainly seed oils, including pomegranate seed oil, sesame oil, acer truncatum bunge seed oil, hemp seeds oil, evening primrose seed oil, coconut oil, walnut oil, essential oil from Pterodon emarginatus seeds, flaxseed oil and olive oil-on MS are discussed. The literature data indicate that plant oils could be effective for the treatment of MS and its related symptoms primarily through reducing inflammation, promoting remyelination, immunomodulation and inhibiting oxidative stress. Plant oils may potentially reduce MS progression. Longitudinal research including a larger sample size with a longer duration is essential to confirm the findings from the selected plant oils. Moreover, new plant oils should be studied for their potential MS benefit.

Replacement of Vitamin E by an Extract from an Olive Oil By-Product, Rich in Hydroxytyrosol, in Broiler Diets: Effects on Growth Performance and Breast Meat Quality

The hypothesis of this experiment was that a liquid rich in hydroxytyrosol (HT) obtained from "alperujo", an olive oil by-product, could replace part of the added vitamin E (VE) as an antioxidant in poultry diets. There were five diets that differed exclusively in the substitution of supplemental VE (0 to 40 mg/kg, with differences of 10 mg/kg) by HT (30 to 0 mg/kg, with differences of 7.5 mg/kg). The basal diet was based on corn and soybean meal and provided 10 mg VE/kg. From 0 to 39 d of age, the growth performance of the birds was not affected by diet. The birds were slaughtered at 39 d of age to evaluate the quality of the breast, and malonaldehyde concentration, pH, color, and drip loss were measured. In terms of meat lipid oxidation, the combination of 22.5 mg HT/kg and 10 mg of added VE/kg equalized to a diet supplemented with 40 mg VE/kg. Meat color improved in broilers fed 7.5 mg HT/kg and 30 mg VE/kg. It is concluded that once the nutritional requirements of the birds in VE are satisfied, the dietary supplementation with the olive oil by-product rich in HT can be used as a strategy to spare VE in broiler diets.

Innovative Use of Olive, Winery and Cheese Waste By-Products as Novel Ingredients in Weaned Pigs Nutrition

New sustainable sources of feeds, which can enhance the health and welfare of farm animals, lower feeding costs, and lead to safer products, are of high priority in modern animal production systems. In the present study, a novel silage created from Greek olive, winery, and feta cheese waste by-products, was evaluated as a feed ingredient at different inclusion rates (0%, 5% or 10%) in 34-day-old weaned pigs. The potential beneficial effects on performance, health and intestinal digesta microflora balance of the pigs were evaluated. Additionally, chemical, microbiological and quality analysis of the meat was carried out. Results showed no detrimental effects (p > 0.05) on the pigs' performance and no significant changes (p > 0.05) in meat pH, color and chemical analysis. Ileum and cecum microflora populations (total anaerobes, Lactobacillaceae) were positively affected (p ≤ 0.05) by the dietary usage of the silage. The microbial populations (Clostridium spp.) of belly meat cuts were positively modified (p ≤ 0.01). The concentration of total phenols in the meat cuts were increased (p ≤ 0.05) and their resistance to oxidation was improved (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, the fatty acid profile of the meat lipids (polyunsaturated and n-3 fatty acids) was positively modified (p ≤ 0.001).

Polyphenols and Triterpenes Combination in an In Vitro Model of Cardiac Damage: Protective Effects

Olive products contain high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids as well as other minor components such as triterpenic alcohols and other pentacyclic triterpenes, which together form the main triterpenes of virgin olive oil. Olive fruits and leaves contain significant amounts of hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactives including flavones, phenolic acids and phenolic alcohols, amongst others. Several studies have shown the benefits of these substances on the cardiovascular system. Regardless, little is known about the specific combination of bioactive compounds in cardiovascular health. Thus, we aimed to test the combination of a triterpenes (TT70) and a polyphenols (HT60) olive oil bioactive extract in H9c2 cells under stress conditions: LPS and H2O2 stimulation. To evaluate the effectiveness of the combination, we measured cell viability, superoxide production and protein expression of caspase 3, eNOS, peNOS, TNF-α and Il-6. Overall, cells stimulated with LPS or H2O2 and co-incubated with the combination of triterpenes and polyphenols had increased cell survival, lower levels of superoxide anion, lower protein expression of eNOS and higher expression of peNOS, increased protein expression of SOD-1 and lower protein expression of TNF-α and Il-6. The specific combination of HT60+TT70 is of great interest for further study as a possible treatment for cardiovascular damage.

Combined Omics Analysis Further Unveils the Specific Role of Butyrate in Promoting Growth in Early-Weaning Animals

Abnormal mutations in the microbial structure of early-weaning mammals are an important cause of enteritis. Based on the multiple known beneficial functions of butyrate, we hypothesized that butyrate would alleviate the imbalance of intestinal homeostasis induced by early weaning in animals. However, the mechanisms of action between butyrate and intestinal microbes are still poorly explored. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether butyrate exerts beneficial effects on the structure of the intestinal flora of weanling rabbits and their intestinal homeostasis, growth and development, and we attempted to elucidate the potential mechanisms of action through a combined omics analysis. We found that dietary butyrate upregulated the transcription of tight junction-related proteins in the epithelial barrier and improved the intestinal microbial structure by suppressing harmful bacteria and promoting beneficial ones. Intestinal and plasma metabolomes were also altered. The bile acid secretion, α-linolenic acid, apoptotic, and prostate cancer pathways responded to the positive dietary butyrate-induced metabolic changes in the weanling rabbits, resulting in the inhibition of inflammation, improved antioxidant capacity, increased rates of cell proliferation and survival, and decreased levels of apoptosis. Additionally, dietary butyrate suppressed the release of pro-inflammatory factors and enhanced positive appetite regulation, which increased the average daily gain of the rabbits. These results demonstrated that dietary butyrate can help maintain the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier, improve the structural composition of the intestinal microflora, enhance organismal metabolism, inhibit inflammation, reduce post-weaning anorexia, and promote growth and development in early-weaning rabbits. These positive effects of dietary butyrate were exerted via the modulation of the microbe-gut-brain axis.

Potential of Oral Nanoparticles Containing Cytokines as Intestinal Mucosal Immunostimulants in Pigs: A Pilot Study

Simple Summary

Antibiotics are essential compounds to cope with bacterial infections. However, their inadequate and excessive use has triggered the rapid arising of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. In this scenario, immunostimulants, which are molecules that boost the immune system, open up a new approach to face this problem, enhancing treatment efficacy and preventing infections by immune system response. Cytokines are central effector molecules of the immune system, and their recombinant production and administration in animals could be an interesting immune modulation strategy. The aim of this study was the development of a highly stable nanoparticle of porcine cytokines to achieve the immunostimulation of intestinal mucosa in piglets. The outcomes of the present study prove this approach is able to stimulate swine intestinal cells and macrophages in vitro and tends to modulate inflammatory responses in vivo, although further studies are required to definitively evaluate their potential in animals.

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat that is worryingly rising in the livestock sector. Among the proposed strategies, immunostimulant development appears an interesting approach to increase animal resilience at critical production points. The use of nanoparticles based on cytokine aggregates, called inclusion bodies (IBs), has been demonstrated as a new source of immunostimulants in aquaculture. Aiming to go a step further, the objective of this study was to produce cytokine nanoparticles using a food-grade microorganism and to test their applicability to stimulate intestinal mucosa in swine. Four cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) involved in inflammatory response were produced recombinantly in Lactococcus lactis in the form of protein nanoparticles (IBs). They were able to stimulate inflammatory responses in a porcine enterocyte cell line (IPEC-J2) and alveolar macrophages, maintaining high stability at low pH and high temperature. In addition, an in vivo assay was conducted involving 20 piglets housed individually as a preliminary exploration of the potential effects of IL-1β nanoparticles in piglet intestinal mucosa after a 7 d oral administration. The treated animals tended to have greater levels of TNF-α in the blood, indicating that the tested dose of nanoparticles tended to generate an inflammatory response in the animals. Whether this response is sufficient to increase animal resilience needs further evaluation.

Dietary methionine source alters the lipidome in the small intestinal epithelium of pigs

Methionine (Met) as an essential amino acid has key importance in a variety of metabolic pathways. This study investigated the influence of three dietary Met supplements (0.21% L-Met, 0.21% DL-Met and 0.31% DL-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (DL-HMTBA)) on the metabolome and inflammatory status in the small intestine of pigs. Epithelia from duodenum, proximal jejunum, middle jejunum and ileum were subjected to metabolomics analysis and qRT-PCR of caspase 1, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), interleukins IL1β, IL8, IL18, and transforming growth factor TGFβ. Principal component analysis of the intraepithelial metabolome revealed strong clustering of samples by intestinal segment but not by dietary treatment. However, pathway enrichment analysis revealed that after L-Met supplementation polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and tocopherol metabolites were lower across small intestinal segments, whereas monohydroxy fatty acids were increased in distal small intestine. Pigs supplemented with DL-HMTBA showed a pronounced shift of secondary bile acids (BA) and sphingosine metabolites from middle jejunum to ileum. In the amino acid super pathway, only histidine metabolism tended to be altered in DL-Met-supplemented pigs. Diet did not affect the expression of inflammation-related genes. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation of young pigs with different Met sources selectively alters lipid metabolism without consequences for inflammatory status.

Informal nutrition symposium: leveraging the microbiome (and the metabolome) for poultry production

Knowledge of gut microbiology of poultry has advanced from a limited ability to culture relatively few microbial species, to attempting to understand the complex interactions between the bird and its microbiome. The Informal Nutrition Symposium 2021 was intended to help poultry scientists to make sense of the implications of the vast amounts of information being generated by researchers. This paper represents a compilation of the talks given at the symposium by leading international researchers in this field. The symposium began with an overview of the historical developments in the field of intestinal microbiology and microbiome research in poultry. Next, the systemic effects of the microbiome on health in the context of the interplay between the intestinal microbiota and the immune system were presented. Because the microbiome and the host communicate and influence each other, the novel field of kinomics (the study of protein phosphorylation) as used in the study of the poultry microbiome was discussed. Protein phosphorylation is a rapid response to the complex of signals among the microbiome, intestinal lumen metabolites, and the host. Then, a description of why an understanding of the role of microbial endocrinology in poultry production can lead to new understanding of the mechanisms by which the gut microbiota and the host can interact in defined mechanisms that ultimately determine health, pathogenesis of infectious disease, and behavior was given. Finally, a view forward was presented underscoring the importance of understanding mechanisms in microbiomes in other organ systems and other species. Additionally, the importance of the development of new -omics platforms and data management tools to more completely understand host microbiomes was stressed.

A Bioactive Extract Rich in Triterpenic Acid and Polyphenols from Olea europaea Promotes Systemic Immunity and Protects Atlantic Salmon Smolts Against Furunculosis

In the present study, the modulation of the transcriptional immune response (microarray analysis) in the head kidney (HK) of the anadromous fish Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed a diet supplemented with an olive fruit extract (AQUOLIVE^®) was evaluated. At the end of the trial (133 days), in order to investigate the immunomodulatory properties of the phytogenic tested against a bacterial infection, an in vivo challenge with Aeromonas salmonicida was performed. A total number of 1,027 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (805 up- and 222 downregulated) were found when comparing the transcriptomic profiling of the HK from fish fed the control and AQUOLIVE^® diets. The HK transcripteractome revealed an expression profile that mainly favored biological processes related to immunity. Particularly, the signaling of i-kappa B kinase/NF-kappa and the activation of leukocytes, such as granulocytes and neutrophils degranulation, were suggested to be the primary actors of the innate immune response promoted by the tested functional feed additive in the HK. Moreover, the bacterial challenge with A. salmonicida that lasted 12 days showed that the cumulative survival was higher in fish fed the AQUOLIVE^® diet (96.9 ± 6.4%) than the control group (60.7 ± 13.5%). These results indicate that the dietary supplementation of AQUOLIVE^® at the level of 0.15% enhanced the systemic immune response and reduced the A. salmonicida cumulative mortality in Atlantic salmon smolts.

Impact of Fermented or Enzymatically Fermented Dried Olive Pomace on Growth, Expression of Digestive Enzyme and Glucose Transporter Genes, Oxidative Stability of Frozen Meat, and Economic Efficiency of Broiler Chickens

The use of dried olive pomace as complementary energy sources in poultry feed is still limited due to its low protein and high fiber contents. Bioconversion of olive pomace through solid-state fermentation with or without exogenous enzymes is considered as a trial for improving its nutritional value. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fermented olive pomace with or without enzymatic treatment on the growth, modulations of genes encoding digestive enzymes and glucose transporters, meat oxidative stability, and economic efficiency of broiler chickens. A total of 1400 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to seven dietary treatments with 10 replicates of 20 birds/replicate. Treatments included control (basal corn-soybean diet) and other six treatments in which basal diet was replaced by three levels (7.5, 15, and 30%) of fermented olive pomace (FOPI) or enzymatically fermented olive pomace (FOPII) for 42 days. The highest body weight gain was observed in groups fed 7.5 and 15% FOPII (increased by 6.6 and 12.5%, respectively, when compared with the control group). Also, feeding on 7.5 and 15% FOPII yielded a better feed conversion ratio and improved the digestibility of crude protein, fat, and crude fiber. The expression of the SGLT-1 gene was upregulated in groups fed FOPI and FOPII when compared with the control group. Moreover, the expression of the GLUT2 gene was elevated in groups fed 7.5 and 15% FOPII. By increasing the levels of FOPI and FOPII in diets, the expression of genes encoding pancreatic AMY2A, PNLIP, and CCK was upregulated (p < 0.05) when compared with the control. Fat percentage and cholesterol content in breast meat were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) by nearly 13.7 and 16.7% in groups fed FOPI and FOPII at the levels of 15 and 30%. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in breast meat were significantly increased in groups fed 15 and 30% FOPI and FOPII when compared with the control group and even after a long period of frozen storage. After 180 days of frozen storage, the inclusion of high levels of FOP significantly increased (p < 0.05) the levels of glutathione peroxide and total superoxide dismutase and meat ability to scavenge free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. Furthermore, the highest net profit and profitability ratio and the lowest cost feed/kg body gain were achieved in groups fed 7.5 and 15% of FOPII, respectively. The results of this study indicated that dietary inclusion of 15% FOPII could enhance the growth performance and economic efficiency of broiler chickens. Moreover, a higher inclusion level of FOPI or FOPII could enhance the quality and increase the oxidative stability of frozen meat and extend the storage time.

Multicriteria Optimization of Phenolic Compounds Capture from a Sunflower Protein Isolate Production Process by-Product by Adsorption Column and Assessment of Their Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

The aim of this study was to valorize liquid effluent from the sunflower protein isolate process by extracting phenolic compounds it contains. To do so, XAD7 resin was used. A multicriteria optimization methodology based on design of experiments showed the optimal conditions were adsorption flow rate of 15 BV/h at pH 2.7, a desorption flow rate at 120 BV/h with ethanol/water 50% (v/v). The best trade-off between purity and recovery yields resulted in the production of a fraction containing 76.05% of chlorogenic acid (CGA) whose biological properties were evaluated. DPPH and ABTS tests showed that this fraction had a higher radical scavenging capacity than vitamin C. In vitro assays have shown that this fraction, when used at a concentration corresponding to 50 or 100 µM of CGA, does not present any cytotoxicity on human THP-1 cells differentiated into macrophages. In addition, this fraction when added prior to the inflammatory stimulus (LPS) can reduce tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production by 22%, thereby highlighting its protective properties against future inflammation.

The Interrelationships between Intestinal Permeability and Phlegm Syndrome and Therapeutic Potential of Some Medicinal Herbs

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract has an intriguing and critical role beyond digestion in both modern and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), as demonstrated by its link with the immune system. In this review, we attempted to explore the interrelationships between increased GI permeability and phlegm, an important pathological factor in CAM, syndrome, and therapeutic herbs for two disorders. The leaky gut and phlegm syndromes look considerably similar with respect to related symptoms, diseases, and suitable herbal treatment agents, including phytochemicals even though limitations to compare exist. Phlegm may be spread throughout the body along with other pathogens via the disruption of the GI barrier to cause several diseases sharing some parts of symptoms, diseases, and mechanisms with leaky gut syndrome. Both syndromes are related to inflammation and gut microbiota compositions. Well-designed future research should be conducted to verify the interrelationships for evidence based integrative medicine to contribute to the promotion of public health. In addition, systems biology approaches should be adopted to explore the complex synergistic effects of herbal medicine and phytochemicals on conditions associated with phlegm and leaky gut syndromes.

Influence of Glycyrrhiza glabra Extract on Growth, Gene Expression of Gut Integrity, and Campylobacter jejuni Colonization in Broiler Chickens

Phytogenic feed additives have been gaining considerable interest due to their ability to improve gut health and thereby performance of broiler chickens. The impact of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) extract (GE) on expression of genes coding for tight junction proteins and gut protection and Campylobacter jejuni colonization in broilers has not been discussed until now. Thus, the current study assessed the effective dose of GE for maximum growth in broiler chickens, clear-cut molecular mechanisms related to integrity and health of intestine, and controlling C. jejuni colonization. Over a 35-day feeding period, a total of 500 Ross broiler chicks were allocated to five groups; the first group was fed a control diet without GE and the second group to the fifth group were fed a control diet with GE (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 g/kg of diet); each group comprised 100 chicks with 10 replicates (10 birds/replicate). Birds fed GE had an improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Furthermore, the highest body weight gain was observed in the group that received 1 g/kg of GE (P < 0.05). The expression of genes coding for tight junction proteins [occludin and junctional adhesion molecules (JAM)] was upregulated in all groups supplemented with GE. Moreover, birds fed 1 g/kg of GE exhibited the maximum gene expression of occludin and JAM [0.2 and 0.3 fold change, respectively (P < 0.05)]. In relation to enterocyte protective genes [glucagon-like peptide (GLP-2) and fatty acid-binding protein (FABP-6)], use of GE significantly upregulated expression of GLP-2 gene with 0.8 fold change in 2 g/kg of the GE supplemented group (P < 0.05) while the expression of FABP-6 gene was not affected by GE supplementation (P > 0.05). After challenge with C. jejuni, the expression of mucin (MUC-2) gene was upregulated and the inflammatory markers such as Toll-like receptors (TLR-4) and interleukin (IL-1β) were downregulated with increasing level of supplemented GE (P < 0.05). The mean log10 count of C. jejuni in cecal samples after 7 days post-infection by culture and real-time qPCR was decreased in groups fed GE in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). In addition, the highest reduction of C. jejuni count in cecal samples by culture and real-time qPCR was observed in the group fed 2 g/kg of GE (2.58 and 2.28 log10 CFU/g, respectively). Results from this study suggested that G. glabra extract (1 g/kg) improved growth performance of broiler chickens, as well as influenced the maintenance of intestinal integrity and reduced C. jejuni shedding from infected birds.

Response of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with a bioactive olive pomace extract from Olea europaea to an experimental coccidial vaccine challenge

This study aimed to investigate an experimental procedure of coccidial challenge in battery cages and the anticoccidial effect of a bioactive olive pomace extract from Olea europaea (OE) in broiler chickens. To this end, four hundred 1-day-old male chicks were randomly assigned to 5 experimental treatments (10 cages/treatment; 8 birds/cage). One group was fed the control diet without any additives and not challenged (NCU). The other 4 groups were challenged and fed the control diet with no additives (NCC) or supplemented with 500 ppm of coccidiostat or with 500 or 1,500 ppm of OE. At 0, 7, and 14 d, all challenged birds, except the NCC group, were orally gavaged with a live Eimeria spp. oocyst vaccine at 1x, 4x, and 16x of the manufacturer's recommended dose, respectively. Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined at 7, 14, 20, and 28 d. At 20 d of age, 1 bird per cage was euthanized to analyze duodenum and jejunum morphology, ileal mucosa gene expression, and plasma cytokine, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and carotenoid (CAR) concentrations. Coccidial vaccine challenge lowered BW (P < 0.05) throughout the trial, and reduced FI and BWG, except from 20 to 28d, and increased FCR from 0 to 7, 0 to 14, and 0 to 20 d. Birds in the NCC group had higher (P < 0.05) oocyst counts and lower (P < 0.05) CAR and villus height to crypt depth ratios compared with NCU birds. Overall, coccidia challenge caused the expected reductions in growth performance and gut integrity. While the coccidiostat reduced oocysts excretion, dietary OE or coccidiostat had no effects on performance or gut integrity. The attenuated inflammatory response observed for all the treatments following the third infection can be attributed to the adaptation or immunization to the repetitive exposure to Eimeria spp.

Milk thistle and olive extract: old substances with a new mission against sun-induced skin damage

BACKGROUND

Natural antioxidants represent an effective option in the prevention and/or improvement of ultraviolet radiations (UVR)-induced/aggravated skin conditions. UVR cause DNA damage in keratinocytes, directly, in the form of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), or indirectly, through oxidative stress production. Failure of the repair system can result in genetic mutations primarily responsible for the initiation of NMSCs. The aim of our study was to evaluate the in vitro protective effect of milk thistle and olive purified extracts on cultured keratinocytes after solar simulator irradiations (SSR).

METHODS

Immortalized keratinocytes were pre-incubated with different concentrations of milk thistle and olive purified extracts, and irradiated with increasing doses of SSR. Thereafter, CPDs and p53 expression were evaluated to assess DNA damage, whereas cellular antioxidants consumption and lipid membranes peroxidation were measured to analyze oxidative stress.

RESULTS

The study substances were well tolerated by cells and displayed good cytoprotective and antioxidant activities, being milk thistle dry extract more effective in limiting the direct DNA damage, and olive extract particularly able to reduce lipid membrane peroxidation and to increase cellular antioxidants.

CONCLUSIONS

Both study substances can be defined as safe compounds, showing differential cytoprotective and antioxidant activities and might represent interesting options for NMSCs chemoprevention.

Comparison of the protective effects of resveratrol and pterostilbene against intestinal damage and redox imbalance in weanling piglets

BACKGROUND

Evidence indicates that early weaning predisposes piglets to intestinal oxidative stress and increases the risk of intestinal dysfunction; however, there are minimal satisfactory treatment strategies for these conditions. This study investigated the potential of resveratrol and its analog, pterostilbene, as antioxidant protectants for regulating intestinal morphology, barrier function, and redox status among weanling piglets.

METHODS

A total of 144 piglets were selected at 21 days of age and randomly allocated into one of four treatment groups, each of which included six replicates. Piglets in a sow-reared control group were suckling normally between ages 21 and 28 days, while those in weaned groups were fed a basal diet, supplemented with either 300 mg/kg of resveratrol or with 300 mg/kg of pterostilbene. Parameters associated with intestinal injury and redox status were analyzed at the end of the feeding trial.

RESULTS

Early weaning disrupted the intestinal function of young piglets, with evidence of increased diamine oxidase activity and D-lactate content in the plasma, shorter villi, an imbalance between cell proliferation and apoptosis, an impaired antioxidant defense system, and severe oxidative damage in the jejunum relative to suckling piglets. Feeding piglets with a resveratrol-supplemented diet partially increased villus height (P = 0.056) and tended to diminish apoptotic cell numbers (P = 0.084) in the jejunum compared with those fed a basal diet. Similarly, these beneficial effects were observed in the pterostilbene-fed piglets. Pterostilbene improved the feed efficiency of weanling piglets between the ages of 21 and 28 days; it also resulted in diminished plasma diamine oxidase activity and D-lactate content relative to untreated weaned piglets (P < 0.05). Notably, pterostilbene restored jejunal antioxidant capacity, an effect that was nearly absent in the resveratrol-fed piglets. Pterostilbene reduced the malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2´-deoxyguanosine contents of jejunal mucosa possibly through its regulatory role in facilitating the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 and the expression levels of NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 and superoxide dismutase 2 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that pterostilbene may be more effective than its parent compound in alleviating early weaning-induced intestinal damage and redox imbalance among young piglets.

Diet Supplementation with a Bioactive Pomace Extract from Olea europaea Partially Mitigates Negative Effects on Gut Health Arising from a Short-Term Fasting Period in Broiler Chickens

The effects of supplementing chicken diets with an olive pomace extract (OE) from Olea europaea on performance and gut health after a challenge of intestinal permeability (IP) increase were studied. Treatments included a control diet with no additives (CF), and diets supplemented with 100 ppm of monensin (MF) or with 500 (OE500F) and 1500 ppm (OE1500F) of an OE. At 14 d, all birds, except those allocated in a control group (CNF), were submitted to a 15.5 h short-term fasting period to induce IP increase. Fasting increased (p < 0.05) lactulose/mannitol ratio and Alpha 1 Acid Glycoprotein concentration, and reduced (p < 0.001) villus/crypt ratio. Moreover, a down-regulation of Claudin-1 (p < 0.05), an up-regulation of TLR4 and IL-8 (p < 0.05) ileal gene expression was observed in CF birds compared to CNF. OE500F treatment reduced duodenal crypt depth compared to CF (p < 0.05; OE linear effect). Mannitol concentration and ileal IL-8 expression were reduced in OE500F compared to CF and OE1500F (p = 0.05). Fasting challenge induced an increase in IP triggering an inflammatory response. Supplementation of OE up to 1500 ppm did not affect growth performance and alleviated some of the negative effects of the fasting challenge.

A bioactive extract from Olea europaea protects newly weaned beef heifers against experimentally induced chronic inflammation1

Weaning is one of the most stressful periods in the life of a ruminant. Several factors entrenched within typical management practices pose challenges to the calf gastrointestinal health. Weaning is associated with losses in BW and feed intake. In addition, increasing highly fermentable carbohydrates in the diet at the expense of physically effective fiber after weaning predisposes the development of rumen acidosis and increases the concentration of endotoxin in rumen fluid and the permeability of the lower gut to luminal contents. Endotoxin translocation can elicit immune activation, shifting the metabolic priorities toward the immune system, which if sustained over time can hinder animal health and performance. Strategic supplementation of additives with anti-inflammatory capacity could represent a suitable approach to decrease systemic inflammation, restoring barrier function to luminal contents. Bioactive extracts from Olea europaea have anti-inflammatory activity and have been shown to reduce systemic inflammation in other animal models. A generalized randomized block design was used to evaluate the impact of feeding an olive oil bioactive extract (OBE) to newly weaned heifers injected intravenously with sequentially increasing doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 36 heifers, distributed across 3 experimental periods, were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments that consisted of intravenous injection of either saline (CTL-) or with 6 sequentially increasing doses of LPS (0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 µg/kg of BW) over a 10-d period (CTL+), and CTL+ plus dietary supplementation with a low (OBE-L; 0.04% of diet DM) or a high (OBE-H; 0.16% of diet DM) dose of OBE. Feeding OBE reduced some of the negative effects of prolonged immune activation with LPS, such as improved DMI and decreased intravaginal temperature in some, but not all of the days of LPS challenge (P < 0.05). In addition, feeding OBE reduced circulating concentration of inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and haptoglobin (P < 0.05). Heifers supplemented with OBE had reduced cell surface expression of the cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) in monocyte cells (P < 0.01), a key receptor for LPS recognition, which was correlated with a faster recovery of immune cell counts in plasma. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with OBE was successful in mitigating the negative effects of sustained immune activation in newly weaned heifers.

Effects of a bioactive olive pomace extract from Olea europaea on growth performance, gut function, and intestinal microbiota in broiler chickens

The present study aims to investigate the effects of supplementing broiler diets with a bioactive olive pomace extract (OE) from Olea europaea on growth performance, digestibility, gut microbiota, bile acid composition, and immune response. To this end, three hundred and six 1-day-old broiler chickens (Ross 308) were housed in floor pens (6 pens/treatment, with 17 birds/pen). Animals were fed with a standard non-medicated starter diet for 21 D, and from 22 to 42 D of age with their respective experimental diet: a negative control with no additives (Control), a positive control with 100 ppm of monensin (Monensin) and the basal diet supplemented with 750 ppm of an OE (Lucta S.A., Spain). Feed intake and growth rate were monitored weekly throughout the trial. From 21 to 42 D of age, no significant differences in feed intake were observed among dietary treatments; however, lower average daily gain and higher feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) was observed in birds fed the Control compared to Monensin and OE groups. Performance of birds fed OE or Monensin was similar throughout the trial. The apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein was higher in birds fed Monensin than Control treatment (P < 0.05). No significant changes on bacterial composition at a family level were observed in the caeca of birds fed the experimental diets. Moreover, no significant differences on plasma and intestinal bile acid composition were observed among treatments. Birds fed the OE showed a significant decrease of IL-8 expression in the ileum (P < 0.05). Additionally, the expression of TGF-β4, and Bu-1 was significantly upregulated (P < 0.01) in broilers fed the OE and Monensin diets compared to those fed the Control. In conclusion, the inclusion of 750 ppm of a bioactive olive pomace extract from Olea europaea in broiler chicken diets improved animal growth likely as result of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Regulatory Functions of Fatty Acids with Different Chain Lengths on the Intestinal Health in Pigs and Relative Signaling Pathways

Intestines are not only major organs for nutrient digestion and absorption, but are also the largest immune organ in pigs. They are essential for maintaining the health and growth of piglets. Fatty acids, including short-chain fatty acids, medium-chain fatty acids, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, are important nutrients; they are a major energy source, important components of the cell membrane, metabolic substrates in many biochemical pathways, cell-signaling molecules, and play role as immune modulators. Research has shown that fatty acids exert beneficial effects on intestinal health in animal models and clinical trials. The objective of this review is to give a clear understanding of the regulatory effects of fatty acids of different chain lengths on intestinal health in pigs and their signaling pathways, providing scientific reference for developing a feeding technique to apply fatty acids to piglet diets.

Effects of dietary menthol-rich bioactive lipid compounds on zootechnical traits, blood variables and gastrointestinal function in growing sheep

Background

The present study aimed at investigating the influence of 90% menthol-containing plant bioactive lipid compounds (PBLC, essential oils) on growth performance, blood haematological and biochemical profile, and nutrient absorption in sheep. Twenty-four growing Suffolk sheep were allotted into three dietary treatments: Control (without PBLC), lower dose of PBLC (PBLC-L; 80 mg/d) and higher dose of PBLC (PBLC-H; 160 mg/d). Sheep in all groups were fed meadow hay ad libitum plus 600 g/d of concentrate pellets for 28 d.

Results

Average daily gain was not affected by treatment. Feeding of PBLC increased hay and total feed intake per kg body weight (P < 0.05). Counts of total leucocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes were not different among treatments. However, neutrophil count decreased (P < 0.05) in PBLC-H with a similar trend in PBLC-L (P < 0.10). Concentrations of glucose, bilirubin, triglycerides, cholesterol, urea and magnesium in serum were not different among sheep fed different doses of PBLC. However, serum calcium concentration tended to increase in PBLC-H (P < 0.10) and serum concentrations of aspartate & asparagine (P < 0.01) and glutamate & glutamine (P < 0.05) increased linearly with increasing PBLC dose. In ruminal epithelia isolated from the rumen after killing, baseline conductance (G _t; P < 0.05) and short-circuit current (I _sc; P < 0.01) increased in both PBLC groups. Ruminal uptakes of glucose and methionine in the presence of Na⁺ were not affected by the dietary PBLC supplementation. In the absence of Na⁺, however, glucose and methionine uptakes increased (P < 0.05) in PBLC-H. In the jejunum, I _sc tended to increase in PBLC-H (P < 0.10), but baseline G _t was not affected. Intestinal uptakes of glucose and methionine were not influenced by PBLC in the presence or absence of Na⁺.

Conclusion

The results suggest that menthol-rich PBLC increase feed intake, and passive ion and nutrient transport, the latter specifically in the rumen. They also increased serum concentrations of urea precursor amino acids and tended to increase serum calcium concentrations. Future studies will have to show whether some of these findings might be commonly linked to a stimulation of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in the gastrointestinal tract.

Effects of Olive Oil and Its Minor Components on Cardiovascular Diseases, Inflammation, and Gut Microbiota

Olive oil is one of the main ingredients in the Mediterranean diet, being an important ally in disease prevention. Its nutritional composition is comprised of mainly monounsaturated fatty acids, with oleic being the major acid, plus minor components which act as effective antioxidants, such as hydroxytyrosol. Studies have shown that the consumption of olive oil, as well as its isolated components or in synergism, can be a primary and secondary protective factor against the development of cardiovascular diseases since it reduces the concentrations of low-density lipoproteins and increases the concentration of high-density lipoproteins. Furthermore, it exerts an influence on the inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor, which are pro-inflammatory agents in the body. The components present in olive oil are also associated with the promotion of intestinal health since they stimulate a higher biodiversity of beneficial gut bacteria, enhancing their balance. The objective of this review is to present recent data on investigated effects of olive oil and its components on the metabolism, focused on cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and gut biota.

The Impact of Dietary Grape Seed Meal on Healthy and Aflatoxin B1 Afflicted Microbiota of Pigs after Weaning

The study investigated the effect of grape seed (GS) meal, aflatoxin (AFB1), or their combination on the large intestine microbiota of weanling piglets. Twenty-four piglets were allocated into four groups based on diet composition: (1) Control group; (2) AFB1 (320 g/kg feed) group; (3) GS group (8% inclusion in the diet); (4) AFB1 + GS group. After 30 days of experiment, the colon content was used for microbiota analyses; after isolation of total bacterial genomic DNA, V3/V4 regions of the 16S rRNA amplicons were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The raw sequences were analyzed using the v.1.9.1 QIIME pipeline software. 157 numbers of OTUs were identified among all four dietary groups with 26 of them being prevalent above 0.05% in the total relative abundance. GS and AFB1 increase the relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, while decreasing the Firmicutes abundance in a synergic manner as compared with the individual treatments. An additive or synergistic action of the two treatments was identified for Lactobacillus, Prevotella and Campylobacter, while rather an antagonistic effect was observed on Lachnospira. The action mechanisms of aflatoxin B1 and grape seed meal that drive the large intestine microbiota to these changes are not known and need further investigations.

Effect of dark sweet cherry powder consumption on the gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, and biomarkers of gut health in obese db/db mice

Cherries are fruits containing fiber and bioactive compounds (e.g., polyphenolics) with the potential of helping patients with diabetes and weight disorders, a phenomenon likely related to changes in the complex host-microbiota milieu. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of cherry supplementation on the gut bacterial composition, concentrations of caecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and biomarkers of gut health using an in vivo model of obesity. Obese diabetic (db/db) mice received a supplemented diet with 10% cherry powder (supplemented mice, n = 12) for 12 weeks; obese (n = 10) and lean (n = 10) mice served as controls and received a standard diet without cherry. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used to analyze the gut microbiota; SCFAs and biomarkers of gut health were also measured using standard techniques. According to 16S sequencing, supplemented mice harbored a distinct colonic microbiota characterized by a higher abundance of mucin-degraders (i.e., Akkermansia) and fiber-degraders (the S24-7 family) as well as lower abundances of Lactobacillus and Enterobacteriaceae. Overall this particular cherry-associated colonic microbiota did not resemble the microbiota in obese or lean controls based on the analysis of weighted and unweighted UniFrac distance metrics. qPCR confirmed some of the results observed in sequencing, thus supporting the notion that cherry supplementation can change the colonic microbiota. Moreover, the SCFAs detected in supplemented mice (caproate, methyl butyrate, propionate, acetate and valerate) exceeded those concentrations detected in obese and lean controls except for butyrate. Despite the changes in microbial composition and SCFAs, most of the assessed biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and intestinal health in colon tissues and mucosal cells were similar in all obese mice with and without supplementation. This paper shows that dietary supplementation with cherry powder for 12 weeks affects the microbiota and the concentrations of SCFAs in the lower intestinal tract of obese db/db diabetic mice. These effects occurred in absence of differences in most biomarkers of inflammation and other parameters of gut health. Our study prompts more research into the potential clinical implications of cherry consumption as a dietary supplement in diabetic and obese human patients.

Dietary omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate hepatic pathology

Recent evidence has suggested that dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) modulate inflammation; however, few studies have focused on the pathobiology of PUFA using isocaloric and isolipidic diets and it is unclear if the associated pathologies are due to dietary PUFA composition, lipid metabolism or obesity, as most studies compare diets fed ad libitum. Our studies used isocaloric and isolipidic liquid diets (35% of calories from fat), with differing compositions of omega (ω)-6 or long chain (Lc) ω-3 PUFA that were pair-fed and assessed hepatic pathology, inflammation and lipid metabolism. Consistent with an isocaloric, pair-fed model we observed no significant difference in diet consumption between the groups. In contrast, the body and liver weight, total lipid level and abdominal fat deposits were significantly higher in mice fed an ω-6 diet. An analysis of the fatty acid profile in plasma and liver showed that mice on the ω-6 diet had significantly more arachidonic acid (AA) in the plasma and liver, whereas, in these mice ω-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were not detected and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was significantly lower. Histopathologic analyses documented that mice on the ω-6 diet had a significant increase in macrovesicular steatosis, extramedullary myelopoiesis (EMM), apoptotic hepatocytes and decreased glycogen storage in lobular hepatocytes, and hepatocyte proliferation relative to mice fed the Lc ω-3 diet. Together, these results support PUFA dietary regulation of hepatic pathology and inflammation with implications for enteral feeding regulation of steatosis and other hepatic lesions.