Baicalin-Copper Complex Modulates Gut Microbiota, Inflammatory Responses, and Hormone Secretion in DON-Challenged Piglets

Baicalin-aluminum complex on the regulation of IPEC-1 infected with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the main bacterial cause of diarrhea in weaned piglets. Baicalin-aluminum (BA) complex is the main active ingredient of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracted-aluminum complex, which has been used to treat diarrhea in weaning piglets, however the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To investigate the effects of the BA complex on the regulation of porcine intestinal epithelial (IPEC-1) cells infected with ETEC, IPEC-1 cells were incubated with an ETEC bacterial strain at a multiplicity of infection of 1 for 6 h and then treated with different concentrations of the BA complex for 6 h. ETEC infection increased the levels of cAMP and cGMP, upregulated CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) mRNA, and downregulated NHE4 mRNA in IPEC-1 cells. Treatment with the BA complex inhibited ETEC adhesion and the production of cAMP and cGMP, reduced CFTR mRNA expression, and increased NHE4 mRNA expression. Overall, the BA complex weakened the adhesion of ETEC to IPEC-1 cells, and inhibited cAMP/cGMP-CFTR signaling in IPEC-1 cells.

Probiotic cocktails accelerate baicalin metabolism in the ileum to modulate intestinal health in broiler chickens

BACKGROUND

Baicalin and probiotic cocktails are promising feed additives with broad application prospects. While probiotic cocktails are known to enhance intestinal health, the potential synergistic impact of combining baicalin with probiotic cocktails on the gut health of broiler chickens remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence of the combined administration of baicalin and probiotic cocktails on the composition of ileal and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens to elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for the health-promoting effects.

RESULTS

A total of 320 1-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were divided into 4 groups, each with 8 replicates of 10 chicks per replicate. Over a period of 42 d, the birds were fed a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 37.5 g/t baicalin (BC), 1,000 g/t probiotic cocktails (PC), or a combination of both BC (37.5 g/t) and PC (1,000 g/t). The results demonstrated that BC + PC exhibited positive synergistic effects, enhancing intestinal morphology, immune function, and barrier function. This was evidenced by increased VH/CD ratio, sIgA levels, and upregulated expression of occludin and claudin-1 (P < 0.05). 16S rRNA analysis indicated that PC potentiated the effects of BC, particularly in the ileum, where BC + PC significantly increased the α-diversity of the ileal microbiota, altered its β-diversity, and increased the relative abundance of Flavonifractor (P < 0.05), a flavonoid-metabolizing bacterium. Furthermore, Flavonifractor positively correlated with chicken ileum crypt depth (P < 0.05). While BC + PC had a limited effect on cecal microbiota structure, the PC group had a very similar microbial composition to BC + PC, suggesting that the effect of PC at the distal end of the gut overshadowed those of BC.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated the synergistic enhancement of gut health regulation in broiler chickens by combining baicalin and probiotic cocktails. Probiotic cocktails enhanced the effects of baicalin and accelerated its metabolism in the ileum, thereby influencing the ileal microbiota structure. This study elucidates the interaction mechanism between probiotic cocktails and plant extract additives within the host microbiota. These findings provide compelling evidence for the future development of feed additive combinations.

Effective protective agents against organ toxicity of deoxynivalenol and their detoxification mechanisms: A review

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most prevalent mycotoxins in feed, which causes organ toxicity in animals. Therefore, reducing DON-induced organ toxicity can now be accomplished effectively using protective agents. This review provides an overview of multiple studies on a wide range of protective agents and their molecular mechanisms against DON organ toxicity. Protective agents include plant extracts, yeast products, bacteria, peptides, enzymes, H2, oligosaccharides, amino acids, adsorbents, vitamins and selenium. Among these, biological detoxification of DON using microorganisms to reduce the toxicity of DON without affecting the growth performance of pigs may be the most promising detoxification strategy. This paper also evaluates future developments related to DON detoxification and discusses the detoxification role and application potential of protective agents. This paper provides new perspectives for future research and development of safe and effective feed additives.

Baicalin-Current Trends in Detection Methods and Health-Promoting Properties

Baicalin (7-D-glucuronic acid-5,6-dihydroxyflavone) belongs to natural flavonoids extracted from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis, the plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been proven that baicalin has various pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and anti-apoptotic ones. However, it is essential not only to determine the medical usefulness of baicalin, but also to find and develop the most effective methods for its extraction and detection. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize the current methods of detection and identification of baicalin and to present the medical applications of baicalin and the underlying mechanisms of its action. Based on the review of the latest literature, it can be concluded that liquid chromatography alone or together with mass spectrometry is the most commonly used method for the determination of baicalin. Recently, also new electrochemical methods have been established, e.g., biosensors with fluorescence, which have better detection limits, sensitivity, and selectivity.

The role of IL-31 and IL-34 in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic periodontitis

This study was devoted to demonstrating the role of IL-31 and IL-34 in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic periodontitis (CP). From the results, we found that the IL-31 and IL-34 levels were significantly increased in GCF and serum of CP patients compared with healthy controls or obese patients. Meanwhile, the area under the curve results further verified the diagnostic potential of IL-31 and IL-34 in terms of discriminating CP from obese patients at the GCF and serum levels. Finally, after 1 year of continuous treatment, we found that IL-31 and IL-34 levels were decreased in CP, suggesting their potential as biomarkers in CP treatment response. Monitoring GCF and serum levels of IL-31 and IL-34 contributed to CP detection and treatment response.

Effect of Resveratrol Supplementation on Intestinal Oxidative Stress, Immunity and Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets Challenged with Deoxynivalenol

(1) Background: Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a general mycotoxin that induces severe intestinal barrier injury in humans and animals. Resveratrol (RES) efficiently exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the information regarding RES protecting against DON-induced oxidative stress and intestinal inflammation in piglets is limited. (2) Methods: A total of 64 weaned piglets (Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire), 21-d-old, barrow) were randomly allocated to four groups (eight replicate pens per group, each pen containing two piglets) for 28 d. The piglets were fed a control diet (CON) or the CON diet supplemented with 300 mg RES/kg diet (RES group), 3.8 mg DON/kg diet (DON) or both (DON+RES) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. (3) Compared with unsupplemented DON-challenged piglets, RES supplementation in DON-challenged piglets increased ileal villus height and the abundance of ileal SOD1, GCLC and PG1-5 transcripts and Muc2 protein (p < 0.05), while decreasing the mRNA and proteins expression of ileal IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma and ileum in DON-challenged piglets (p < 0.05). Moreover, the abundances of class Bacilli, order Lactobacillales, family Lactobacillaceae and species Lactobacillus gasseri were increased in DON-challenged piglets fed a RES-supplemented diet compared with those in DON-challenged piglets(p ≤ 0.05). (4) Conclusions: our results indicated that RES supplementation in DON-challenged piglets efficiently attenuated intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress and improved gut microbiota, thereby alleviating DON-induced intestinal barrier injury.

Resveratrol Improves Intestinal Morphology and Anti-Oxidation Ability in Deoxynivalenol-Challenged Piglets

Simple Summary

Deoxynivalenol (DON)-contaminated feed may cause anorexia, vomiting, immunosuppression, and intestinal dysfunction in pigs, which would lead to growth retardation and great losses in the pig industry. In this study, the effects of resveratrol (RES) on growth performance, the intestinal barrier, antioxidant capacity, and mitochondrial function in weaned pigs fed with DON-contaminated diets were investigated. Dietary supplementation with resveratrol increased the average daily feed intake of piglets. Diets supplemented with resveratrol increased the villus height and the ratio of the jejunum villus height to crypt depth, increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and increased the total antioxidant capacity in the jejunum mucosa. After being supplemented with RES, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria was decreased, while the mitochondrial membrane potential in the jejunum was increased. In conclusion, these results suggested that resveratrol effectively relieved DON-induced oxidative stress in weaned piglets, improved intestinal barrier function, enhanced mitochondrial function, and improved the growth performance of piglets.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of resveratrol (RES) on intestinal function and oxidative stress in deoxynivalenol (DON)-challenged piglets. Twenty-four healthy Duroc × Yorkshire × Landrace weaned piglets at the age of 28 ± 1 days were randomly divided into four groups with six repetitions per group. The four groups were as follows: the control group (CON), fed with a basic diet; the RES group, fed with a basal diet + 300 mg/kg RES; the DON group, fed with a basal diet containing 2.65 mg/kg DON; and the DON + RES group, fed with a basal diet containing 2.65 mg/kg DON + 300 mg/kg RES. The results showed that the growth performance and intestinal function of DON-challenged piglets were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Compared with the DON group, the average daily feed intake of piglets in the DON + RES group was significantly increased (p < 0.05). Additionally, dietary RES ameliorated DON-induced intestinal morphology impairment, as indicated by the increased (p < 0.05) jejunal villi height and the ratio of the jejunal villi height/crypt depth. Furthermore, after the addition of RES, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the jejunum mucosa were significantly increased, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly declined (p < 0.05). In addition, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitochondria was significantly reduced by RES, while the mitochondrial membrane potential in jejunum was significantly increased by RES (p < 0.05). However, there was no obvious difference between DON + RES and DON groups on average daily gain and the ratio of feed togain, except for the significant inhibition of average daily feed intake (p < 0.05). In conclusion, RES could effectively alleviate the DON-induced oxidative stress on weaned piglets, and reduce the damage to mitochondria and intestinal morphology, so as to improve the growth performance of piglets.

Baicalin-Zinc Complex Alleviates Inflammatory Responses and Hormone Profiles by Microbiome in Deoxynivalenol Induced Piglets

This study aimed to investigate the beneficial effect of baicalin–zinc complex (BZN) on intestinal microorganisms in deoxynivalenol (DON)-challenged piglets and the association between intestinal microorganisms and host immunity and hormone secretion. Forty weaned piglets were randomly divided into four treatments with 10 piglets in each treatment: (1) control (Con) group (pigs fed basal diet); (2) DON group (pigs fed 4 mg DON/kg basal diet); (3) BZN group (pigs fed 0.5% BZN basal diet); and (4) DBZN group (pigs fed 4 mg DON/kg and 0.5% BZN basal diet). The experiment lasted for 14 days. The BZN supplementation in DON-contaminated diets changed the intestinal microbiota composition and increased intestinal microbial richness and diversity of piglets. The BZN supplementation in DON-contaminated diets also alleviated the inflammatory responses of piglets and modulated the secretion of hormones related to the growth axis. Moreover, microbiota composition was associated with inflammatory and hormone secretion. In conclusion, BZN alleviated inflammatory response and hormone secretion in piglets, which is associated with the intestinal microbiome.

Dietary resveratrol attenuation of intestinal inflammation and oxidative damage is linked to the alteration of gut microbiota and butyrate in piglets challenged with deoxynivalenol

Background

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a widespread mycotoxin that induces intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress in humans and animals. Resveratrol (RES) effectively exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the protective effects of RES on alleviating DON toxicity in piglets and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of RES on growth performance, gut health and the gut microbiota in DON-challenged piglets. A total of 64 weaned piglets [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire), 21-d-old, 6.97 ± 0.10 kg body weight (BW)] were randomly allocated to 4 treatment groups (8 replicate pens per treatment, each pen containing 2 males; n = 16 per treatment) for 28 d. The piglets were fed a control diet (CON) or the CON diet supplemented with 300 mg RES/kg diet (RES group), 3.8 mg DON/kg diet (DON) or both (DON+RES) in a 2 × 2 factorial design.

Results

DON-challenged piglets fed the RES-supplemented diet had significantly decreased D-lactate concentrations and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) mRNA and protein expression, and increased zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) mRNA and protein expression compared with those of DON-challenged piglets fed the unsupplemented diet (P < 0.05). Compared with unsupplemented DON-challenged piglets, infected piglets fed a diet with RES showed significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levelsand increased mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant genes (i.e., GCLC, GCLM, HO-1, SOD1 and NQO-1) and glutamate-cysteine-ligase modulatory subunit (GCLM) protein expression (P < 0.05). Moreover, RES supplementation significantly abrogated the increase in the proportion of TUNEL-positive cells and the protein expression of caspase3 in DON-challenged piglets (P < 0.05). Finally, RES supplementation significantly increased the abundance of Roseburia and butyrate concentrations, while decreasing the abundances of Bacteroides and unidentified-Enterobacteriaceae in DON-challenged piglets compared with DON-challenged piglets alone (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

RES supplementation improved gut health in DON-challenged piglets by strengthening intestinal barrier function, alleviating intestinal inflammation and oxidative damage, and positively modulating the gut microbiota. The protective effects of RES on gut health may be linked to increased Roseburia and butyrate concentrations, and decreased levels of Bacteroides and unidentified-Enterobacteriaceae.

Nephropathogenic Infectious Bronchitis Virus Infection Altered the Metabolome Profile and Immune Function of the Bursa of Fabricius in Chicken

Infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious, acute viral respiratory disease of chickens, regardless of the strain, and its infection may lead to considerable economic losses to the poultry industry. New nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus (NIBV) strains have increasingly emerged in recent years; hence, evaluating their infection-influenced immune function changes and the alteration of metabolite profiling is important. Initially, chickens were randomly distributed into two groups: the control group (Con) and the disease group (Dis). Here, the partial cytokines were examined, and the metabolome alterations of the bursa of Fabricius (BF) in NIBV infections in chickens were profiled by gas chromatography time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (GC-TOF/MS). The results revealed that the NIBV infection promotes the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines. Metabolic profile analysis indicated that clustering differed between the two groups and there were 75 significantly different metabolites detected between the two groups, suggesting that the host metabolism was significantly changed by NIBV infection. Notably, the following 12 metabolites were identified as the potential biomarkers: 3-phenyllactic acid, 2-deoxytetronic acid, aminomalonic acid, malonamide 5, uric acid, arachidonic acid, 2-methylglutaric acid, linoleic acid, ethanolamine, stearic acid, N-alpha-acetyl-l-ornithine, and O-acetylserine. Furthermore, the results of the correlation analysis showed that a strong correlation existed between metabolic biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines. Our results describe an immune and metabolic profile for the BF of chickens when infected with NIBV and provide new biomarkers of NIBV infection as potential targets and indicators of indicating therapeutic efficacy.