Effects of Methionine Deficiency on the B Lymphocyte and Immunoglobulins of Cecal Tonsil in Cobb Broilers

Immunomodulatory Effects of Chicken Soups Prepared with the Native Cage-free Chickens and the Commercial Caged Broilers

The objective of this study was to compare the immunomodulatory effects of the chicken soups prepared with the native free-range chickens and the commercial caged broilers in the immunosuppressive mice. The immunosuppressive mice model was established by the intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg of cyclophosphamide (CTX) per kg body weight. The powders of Gushi Chicken Soup (GCS), Honglashan Chicken Soup (HCS), and Cobb Broiler Soup (CBS) were prepared by high-pressure stewing followed by spray drying. The chicken soups' nutrient content and the effects of three chicken soups on the body weight, organ index, blood index, and serum cytokine and immunoglobulin contents in the immunosuppressive mice were determined. The three chicken soups promoted the recovery of immunosuppressive mice, but the expression mechanisms were different. The GCS was more effective than the HCS and CBS in restoring blood index, promoting cytokine secretion, and increasing immunoglobulin content (P < 0.05). The HCS stimulated the Th1-type immune response and promoted immunoglobulin secretion (P < 0.05), while the CBS increased the production of CD4⁺ and promoted the T-cell functions better than other soups (P < 0.05). Although soups from the native free-range chickens and the commercial caged broilers showed distinctly different mechanisms in promoting immunity, both could be used as potential immunomodulators.

Nutritional Impact and Its Potential Consequences on COVID-19 Severity

Background: During late 2019 a viral disease due to a novel coronavirus was reported in Wuhan, China, which rapidly developed into an exploding pandemic and poses a severe threat to human health all over the world. Until now (May 2021), there are insufficient treatment options for the management of this global disease and shortage of vaccines. Important aspects that help to defeat coronavirus infection seems to be having a healthy, strong, and resilient immune system. Nutrition and metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes play a crucial role on the community health situation in general and especially during this new pandemic. There seems to be an enormous impact of lifestyle, metabolic disorders, and immune status on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and recovery. For this reason, it is important to consider the impact of lifestyle and the consumption of well-defined healthy diets during the pandemic. Aims: In this review, we summarise recent findings on the effect of nutrition on COVID-19 susceptibility and disease severity and treatment. Understanding how specific dietary features might help to improve the public health strategies to reduce the rate and severity of COVID-19.