Effects of a dietary isoquinoline alkaloids blend on gut antioxidant capacity and gut barrier of young broilers.

Extensive mechanistic evidence to support the beneficial function of dietary phytobiotic applications for broiler performance, gut function and health is highly warranted. In particular, for isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) the underlying mechanisms related to critical gut homeostasis components such as cytoprotection and gut barrier are scarce, especially for young broilers at the starter growth stage (d1-10). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a standardized blend of IQs on the relative gene expression of critical biomarkers relevant for antioxidant response and barrier function along the intestine of young broilers at the end of starter growth phase. For this purpose, 182 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were allocated in 2 treatments with 7 replicates of 13 broilers each: control diet-no other additions (NC), and control diet containing a standardized blend of IQs at 200 mg/kg of diet (M) for the starter growth period (1-10d). The results revealed that the IQs blend significantly upregulated (P < 0.05) the expression of genes related to antioxidant response in all intestinal segments. Moreover, the IQs blend enhanced (P < 0.05) gut barrier components primarily at duodenal level. In conclusion, the blend of IQs beneficially affected critical pathway components relevant for the gut antioxidant capacity and barrier along the intestine of young broilers.

Effects of plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloids on growth performance and intestinal function of broiler chickens under heat stress.

Broiler chickens reared under heat stress (HS) conditions have decreased growth performance and show metabolic and immunologic alterations. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with a standardized blend of plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) on the growth performance, protein catabolism, intestinal barrier function, and inflammatory status of HS-treated chickens. Three hundred sixty 0-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were randomly distributed into 2 treatment groups: control diet (no additives) or diet supplemented with 100 ppm IQ. At day 14, the chicks in each diet group were further divided into 2 groups, each of which was reared under thermoneutral (TN) (22.4°C) or constant HS (33.0°C) conditions until day 42. Each group consisted of 6 replicates with 15 birds per replicate, and chickens were provided ad libitum access to water and feed. During days 15-21, the body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were significantly lower in the HS treatment group than in the TN group, and feed conversion ratio was higher (P < 0.05); these factors were not alleviated by IQ supplementation. During days 22-42, the final BW, BWG, and FI of the HS birds were better among those administered IQ than those that were not (P < 0.05). HS treatment increased plasma lipid peroxide, corticosterone, and uric acid concentrations as well as serum fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran, a marker of intestinal barrier function, and decreased plasma total protein content (P < 0.05). These changes were not observed in the IQ group, suggesting that IQ supplementation improved oxidative damage, protein catabolism, and intestinal barrier function of chickens under HS. Isoquinoline alkaloid supplementation inhibited the expression of intestinal inflammatory factors, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-like factor 1A, and inducible nitric oxide synthase under HS treatment (P < 0.05). These results suggest that IQ supplementation can improve the growth performance of broiler chickens under HS conditions, which may be associated with amelioration of oxidative damage, protein catabolism, intestinal barrier function, and inflammation.

Nutritional evaluation of rapeseed protein compared to soy protein for quality, plasma amino acids, and nitrogen balance--a randomized cross-over intervention study in humans.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Plant proteins such as rapeseed have received little attention for human nutrition due to their high level of antinutritive compounds. Today, newer technologies can eliminate such compounds. The present intervention study aimed to evaluate nutritional and physiological properties of two manufactured canola proteins with special focus on their bioavailability in humans. METHODS: 28 healthy male subjects (ø 25 years) consumed 30.0 g protein (canola protein isolate--CPI, canola protein hydrolyzate--CPH or soy protein isolate--SPI) in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study. Blood samples were regularly drawn over the 8-h postprandial period and a 24-h urine sample was collected. RESULTS: True digestibility of the canola proteins determined in a separate rat assay showed 93.3% for CPI and 97.3% for CPH. In humans, consumption of either 30.0 g canola protein or soy protein mixed in a drink led to significant increases in plasma amino acids after 62.3 and 83.6 min, respectively. While the CPH produced an earlier response compared to CPI and SPI, total amino acid response (AUC for 8 h) was comparable between all interventions. The nitrogen balance between the three proteins tested showed no statistical differences. CONCLUSIONS: High digestibility of rapeseed protein was found in rats. In humans, this is the first intervention study showing rapeseed protein (both isolate and hydrolyzate) as having a high nutritional quality and can be considered to be as efficient as soy protein for a postprandial amino acid response. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01481584.