Effects of bamboo leaf flavonoids on growth performance, antioxidants, immune function, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota in broilers

BACKGROUND

Bamboo leaf flavonoids (BLF) are the main bioactive ingredients in bamboo leaves. They have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and other effects. In this study, the effects of dietary BLF on growth performance, immune response, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbiota of broilers were investigated. A total of 288 broilers were divided into three groups with eight replicates and 12 birds in each replicate. Broilers were fed a basic diet or the basic diet supplemented with 1000 or 2000 mg kg-1 BLF for 56 days.

RESULTS

The results showed that supplementation of BLF increased body weight (BW) and average daily weight gain (ADG), and reduced average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P < 0.05). The serum immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) content of broilers in the BLF1000 group was increased and the interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) content was decreased (P < 0.05). The levels of IgM and IL-10 in jejunum mucosa were found to be enhanced by BLF (P < 0.05). The BLF1000 group exhibited a significant reduction in the concentration of TNF-α (P < 0.05). Serum and jejunum mucosa total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels in the BLF1000 group were increased (P < 0.05). The serum catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) effects of the BLF1000 group and serum CAT effects of BLF2000 group were increased (P < 0.05). The CON group demonstrated a lower relative abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Oscillibacter than the BLF group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dietary BLF inclusion enhanced the growth performance, immune, and antioxidant functions, improved the intestinal morphology, and ameliorated the intestinal microflora structure in broiler. Adding 1000 mg kg-1 BLF to the broiler diet can be considered as an effective growth promoter. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Construction and Evaluation of a Novel MAP Immunoassay for 9 Nutrition-and-Health-Related Protein Markers Based on Multiplex Liquid Protein Chip Technique

We attempted to construct and evaluate a novel detection method to realize simultaneous detection based on a multiplex liquid protein chip technique for nine nutrition-and-health-related protein markers to meet the requirement of an accurate, simultaneous and comprehensive analysis of the proteomics of nutrition and health. The lower limits of detection, biological limits of detection and regression equations of serum ferritin (SF), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), c-reactive protein (CRP), retinol-binding protein4 (RBP4), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), prealbumin (PA), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) and D-Dimmer (D-D) were determined after a series of optimal experiments. Then, the results of the methodological evaluation for this novel method indicated that the accuracies were between 70.12% and 127.07%, the within-run precisions were between 0.85% and 7.31%, the between-run precisions were between 3.53% and 19.07%, the correlation coefficients between this method and other methods were above 0.504 (p < 0.05), and the direct bilirubin (DBIL) of low concentration and the indirect bilirubin (IBIL) of high concentration could not interfere with the detected results of nine indicators. The novel multiplex detection method, which can increase accuracy and improve the ability of comprehensive analysis, can basically meet the requirement of detection and the diagnosis of the proteomics of nutrition and health.

Protective effects of Bacillus licheniformis on growth performance, gut barrier functions, immunity and serum metabolome in lipopolysaccharide-challenged weaned piglets

Bacillus licheniformis (B. licheniformis) is a well-accepted probiotic that has many benefits on both humans and animals. This study explored the effects of B. licheniformis on growth performance, intestinal mucosal barrier functions, immunity as well as serum metabolome in the weaned piglets exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). One hundred and twenty piglets weaned at four weeks of age were separated into two groups that received a basal diet (the control group, CON), and a basal diet complemented with B. licheniformis (500 mg/kg, the BL group, BL). Twenty-four piglets were chosen from the above two groups and 12 piglets were injected with LPS intraperitoneally at a concentration of 100 μg/kg and the others were injected with sterile saline solution of the same volume. All the piglets were sacrificed 4 h after LPS challenge. Results showed that B. licheniformis enhanced the ADG and final body weight and lowered the F/G and diarrhea rate. Pre-treatment with B. licheniformis markedly attenuated intestinal mucosal damage induced by LPS challenge. Supplementation with B. licheniformis strengthened immune function and suppressed inflammatory response by elevating the concentrations of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A and jejunum mucosal IgA and IgG and decreasing serum IL-6 and jejunum mucosal IL-1β. In addition, B. licheniformis pretreatment prevented LPS-induced intestinal injury by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, pretreatment with B. licheniformis tended to reverse the reduction of acetate and propionic acids in the colonic contents that occurred due to LPS stress. B. licheniformis markedly modulated the metabolites of saccharopine and allantoin from lysine and purine metabolic pathways, respectively. Overall, these data emphasize the potentiality of B. licheniformis as a dietary supplement to overcome the challenge of bacterial LPS in the animal and to enhance the food safety.

A decline in avian cytokine expression with age revealed by commercially available cytokine array

Cytokines are secreted immunomodulators that are key regulators of the avian immune response. Currently, the most commonly used method to follow cytokine expression is qPCR, which measures cellular levels of mRNA, rather their extracellular circulating levels. Here we present a commercially available cytokine array designed to assay circulating expression levels of multiple cytokines and immunomodulators simultaneously. Upon minor modifications to the manufacturer protocol, background noise was reduced, leading to a significant increase in the sensitivity of the device. Our data indicate that the array is reliable and produce consistent data between biological repeats. We tested the reproducibility of the array in a biologically relevant context by assessing age-related changes in circulating cytokines. While individual features did not show a consistent pattern, our data revealed a consistent decline in the median of all cytokine values, supporting the validity of the array in studying biological processes.

Optimization of Capture ELISAs for Chicken Cytokines Using Commercially Available Antibodies

Cytokines like interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12p40 are important biomarkers for characterizing the nature and strength of immune responses. It is important to be able to quantify the cytokines at the protein level in biological samples. Quantification of chicken cytokines is generally performed on the level of messenger RNA (mRNA) by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) because very few capture ELISAs for the quantification of chicken cytokine proteins are commercially available. Here, we describe the optimization and validation of capture ELISAs for chicken IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, and IFN-γ using commercially available antibodies and reagents. First, we determined the optimal concentrations of the antibodies. We then verified the ELISAs’ performance and established that the lower limit of detection (LLOD) for all cytokines was below 32 pg/mL. The ELISAs show the same binding characteristics for recombinant and native cytokines (parallelism was <15.2% CV). Values for inter-assay variation were consistently low and mostly <20% CV. Overall, the optimized capture ELISAs are sensitive (<32 pg/mL) and reliable tools to quantify chicken cytokines. These ELISAs can easily and inexpensively be utilized in any immunological lab and may therefore have wide applicability in immunological research for poultry.

Modified Montmorillonite Improved Growth Performance of Broilers by Modulating Intestinal Microbiota and Enhancing Intestinal Barriers, Anti-Inflammatory Response, and Antioxidative Capacity

This study aims to explore the effects of modified montmorillonite (MMT, copper loading) on the growth performance, gut microbiota, intestinal barrier, antioxidative capacity and immune function of broilers. Yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into control (CTR), modified montmorillonite (MMT), and antibiotic (ANTI) groups. Results revealed that MMT supplementation increased the BW and ADG and decreased the F/R during the 63-day experiment period. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that MMT modulated the cecal microbiota composition of broilers by increasing the relative abundance of two phyla (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) and two genera (Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium) and decreasing the abundance of genus Olsenella. MMT also improved the intestinal epithelial barrier indicated by the up-regulated mRNA expression of claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1 and the increased length of microvilli in jejunum and the decreased levels of DAO and D-LA in serum. In addition, MMT enhanced the immune function indicated by the increased levels of immunoglobulins, the decreased levels of MPO and NO, the down-regulated mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and the up-regulated mRNA expression of IL-4 and IL-10. Moreover, MMT down-regulated the expression of jejunal TLRs/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway-related genes (TLR2, TLR4, Myd88, TRAF6, NF-κB, and iNOS) and related proteins (TRAF6, p38, ERK, NF-κB, and iNOS). In addition, MMT increased the antioxidant enzyme activities and the expression of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway-related genes and thereby decreased the apoptosis-related genes expression. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, and Olsenella were related to the inflammatory index (MPO and NO), oxidative stress (T-AOC, T-SOD, and CAT) and intestinal integrity (D-LA and DAO). Taken together, MMT supplementation improved the growth performance of broilers by modulating intestinal microbiota, enhancing the intestinal barrier function, and improving inflammatory response, which might be mediated by inhibiting the TLRs/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway, and antioxidative capacity mediated by the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Multi-Omics Revealed the Protective Effects of Rhamnolipids in Lipopolysaccharide Challenged Broilers

Rhamnolipid (RL) is a glycolipid biosurfactant and exhibits the following outstanding characteristics: strong antibacterial properties, low toxicity, and high biodegradability. The present research was conducted to explore the protective effects and mechanisms of rhamnolipids as an alternative to antibiotics in LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-challenged broilers. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics were used for analyzing the cecal microbial composition and serum metabolites. Dietary antibiotics and RLS supplementation decreased the weight loss rate, enhanced serum immunoglobulin levels, reduced serum diamine oxidase and D-lactate acid concentration, and improved the symptoms of intestinal bleeding and villus height, when broilers were challenged with LPS. The addition of RLS in the diet enhanced serum interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 contents and reduced serum interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in LPS-challenged broilers compared with the antibiotics group. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that RLS may alleviate LPS-induced inflammatory responses through altering the 6-methoxymellein level in broilers. The genus Bacteroides may contribute to the decreased weight loss rate via regulating the serum lysoPC [20:5(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)] secretion. RLS alleviates LPS-induced intestinal injury, enhances the growth and immunity, ameliorates intestinal microflora, and improves serum metabolites in LPS-challenged broilers. RLS exhibited better protective effect than antibiotic supplementation in the diet of LPS-challenged broilers. These findings provide potential regulation strategies and novel insights for RLS enhancing its protective effect in LPS-challenged broilers.

Rhamnolipids enhance growth performance by improving the immunity, intestinal barrier function, and metabolome composition in broilers

BACKGROUND

Rhamnolipids (RLS), well known as glycolipid biosurfactants, display low toxicity, high biodegradability, and strong antibacterial properties. This study was carried out to evaluate the use of RLS supplementation as a substitute for antibiotics, and particularly to evaluate its effects on growth performance, immunity, intestinal barrier function, and metabolome composition in broilers.

RESULTS

The RLS treatment improved the growth performance, immunity, and intestinal barrier function in broilers. The 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the genus Alistipes was the dominant genus in broilers treated by RLS. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)-based metabolomic analysis indicated that the sphingolipid metabolism, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, the gycerophospholipid metabolism, and the tryptophan metabolism were changed in broilers that were treated with RLS.

CONCLUSION

l-Tryptophan may be the medium for RLS to regulate the growth and physiological metabolism. Rhamnolipids can be used as a potential alternative to antibiotics, with similar functions to antibiotics in the diet of broilers. The optimal level of supplemented RLS in the diet was 1000 mg kg^-1 . © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Intranasal immunization with inactivated chlamydial elementary bodies formulated in VCG-chitosan nanoparticles induces robust immunity against intranasal Chlamydia psittaci challenge

Vaccines based on live attenuated Chlamydia elementary bodies (EBs) can cause disease in vaccinated animals and the comparably safer inactivated whole EBs are only marginally protective. Recent studies show that a vaccine formulation comprising UV-inactivated EBs (EB) and appropriate mucosal delivery systems and/or adjuvants induced significant protective immunity. We tested the hypothesis that intranasal delivery of UV-inactivated C. psittaci EB formulated in Vibrio cholerae ghosts (VCG)-chitosan nanoparticles will induce protective immunity against intranasal challenge in SPF chickens. We first compared the impact of VCG and CpG adjuvants on protective immunity following IN mucosal and IM systemic delivery of EB formulated in chitosan hydrogel/microspheres. Immunologic analysis revealed that IN immunization in the presence of VCG induced higher levels of IFN-γ response than IM delivery or the CpG adjuvanted groups. Also, vaccine efficacy evaluation showed enhanced pharyngeal bacterial clearance and protection against lung lesions with the VCG adjuvanted vaccine formulation, thereby establishing the superior adjuvanticity of VCG over CpG. We next evaluated the impact of different concentrations of VCG on protective immunity following IN mucosal immunization. Interestingly, the adjuvanticity of VCG was concentration-dependent, since protective immunity induced following IN mucosal immunization showed dose-dependent immune responses and protection. These studies reveal that formulation of inactivated chlamydial antigens with adjuvants, such as VCG and chitosan increases their ability to induce protective immune responses against challenge.

Early Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis Based on Optical and Electrochemical Biosensors: Comprehensive Perspective

Background:

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) involves an immune-mediated response in which body’s immune system destructs the protective sheath (myelin). Part of the known MS biomarkers are discovered in cerebrospinal fluid like oligoclonal lgG (OCGB), and also in blood like myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG). The conventional MS diagnostic methods often fail to detect the disease in early stages such as Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS), which considered as a concerning issue since CIS highlighted as a prognostic factor of MS development in most cases.

Methods:

MS diagnostic techniques include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain and spinal cord, lumbar puncture (or spinal tap) that evaluate cerebrospinal fluid, evoked potential testing revealing abnormalities in the brain and spinal cord. These conventional diagnostic methods have some negative points such as extensive processing time as well as restriction in the quantity of samples that can be analyzed concurrently. Scientists have focused on developing the detection methods especially early detection which belongs to ultra-sensitive, non-invasive and needed for the Point of Care (POC) diagnosis because the situation was complicated by false positive or negative results.

Results:

As a result, biosensors are utilized and investigated since they could be ultra-sensitive to specific compounds, cost effective devices, body-friendly and easy to implement. In addition, it has been proved that the biosensors on physiological fluids (blood, serum, urine, saliva, milk etc.) have quick response in a non-invasive rout. In general form, a biosensor system for diagnosis and early detection process usually involves; biomarker (target molecule), bio receptor (recognition element) and compatible bio transducer.

Conclusion:

Studies underlined that early treatment of patients with high possibility of MS can be advantageous by postponing further abnormalities on MRI and subsequent attacks.

:

This Review highlights variable disease diagnosis approaches such as Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), electrochemical biosensors, Microarrays and microbeads based Microarrays, which are considered as promising methods for detection and early detection of MS.

Effects of ammonia exposure on growth performance and cytokines in the serum, trachea, and ileum of broilers

This study investigated the effects of ammonia (NH₃) exposure (0, 15, 25, and 35 ppm) on growth performance and cytokines in the serum, trachea, and ileum of broilers. A total of 288 22-day-old male broiler chickens were assigned to 4 treatment groups with 6 replicates of 12 chickens for a 21-D trial period. Growth performance and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10) concentrations in the serum, trachea, and ileum were measured in response to 3, 7, 14, or 21 D of exposure to NH₃. Correlations between cytokines in the serum, trachea, and ileum and growth performance, and between tracheal and ileal cytokines, were also analyzed. Results showed that exposure to 15 ppm NH₃ did not influence the growth performance, but exposure to both 25 ppm and 35 ppm NH₃ decreased the growth performance compared to that of the control group. Exposure to 15 ppm NH₃ for 3 D increased IL-6 concentrations and induced an inflammatory response in the trachea and ileum, whereas exposure to 15 ppm NH₃ for 7 D increased IL-10 concentrations and induced an anti-inflammatory response in the ileum. Exposure to 25 ppm NH₃ induced an inflammatory response in the serum, trachea, and ileum after 3 D and induced an anti-inflammatory response in the ileum after 7 D. Exposure to 35 ppm NH₃ for 3 D induced both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses in the trachea and ileum. Furthermore, increases in cytokines in the serum, trachea, or ileum were accompanied by a decrease in BW, ADFI, ADG, and an increase of feed/gain (F/G) from 7 D to 21 D. In addition, tracheal cytokine, especially IL-1β, was positively correlated with ileal cytokine IL-1β. These results indicated that the low growth performance associated with NH₃ exposure may be due in part to an increase in cytokines, and the inflammatory response in the trachea and ileum may be related to cross-talk by cytokines such as IL-6, IL-10, and, in particular, IL-1β.