Effects of iron on intestinal development and epithelial maturation of suckling piglets.

The purpose of the present study was to discover the effects of iron on the intestinal development and epithelial maturation of suckling piglets. Twenty-seven newborn male piglets from 9 sows (3 piglets per sow), with similar body weight, were selected. The 3 piglets from the same sow were randomly divided into 1 of the 3 groups. The piglets were orally administrated with 2 mL of normal saline (CON group) or with 25 mg of iron by ferrous sulfate (OAFe group; dissolved in normal saline) on the 2nd, 7th, 12th, and 17th day, respectively, or intramuscularly injected with 100 mg of iron by iron dextran (IMFe group) on the 2nd day. The slaughter was performed on the 21st day and intestinal samples were collected. Compared with the CON group, iron supplementation significantly increased the length (P < 0.001), weight (P < 0.001), relative weight (P < 0.001), and the length:weight ratio (P < 0.001) of the small intestine in both OAFe and IMFe groups. The villus height (P < 0.001), crypt depth (CD) (P < 0.001), villus width (P = 0.002), and surface area (P < 0.001) in the jejunum of IMFe and OAFe piglets were also greater than those in CON piglets. The mRNA expression of trehalase (Treh; P = 0.002) and sucrase isomaltase (Sis; P = 0.043), markers of epithelial maturation, increased in OAFe and IMFe piglets, respectively. Moreover, enterocyte vacuolization, observed in fetal-type enterocyte, was reduced in OAFe and IMFe piglets, compared with CON piglets. However, no significant difference in the expression of the target genes of wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway was observed. The results indicated that both oral administration and intramuscular injection with iron promoted intestinal development and epithelial maturation in suckling piglets and that the effects of iron may be independent of wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

Sanguinarine modulate gut microbiome and intestinal morphology to enhance growth performance in broilers.

Sanguinarine is a bioactive compound as a quaternary benzophenanthridine alkaloid from plant of the Macleaya cordata, Papaveraceae family. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary sanguinarine supplementation on growth performance, serum biochemistry parameters, intestinal mucosal morphology and gut microbiome in yellow feathered broilers. Two hundred and seventy 1-d-old female broilers were randomly assigned to 3 treatments ① Basal diet (NG); ② Basal diet containing bacitracin methylene disalicylate (50mg/Kg diet) (ANT); ③ Basal diet containing sanguinarine (0.7 mg/ kg of feed) (SAG). The statistical results showed that dietary sanguinarine supplementation enhanced growth performance and decreased glucose, uric acid as well as urea nitrogen levels of broilers at 28d of age (P<0.05). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that sanguinarine significantly decreased the species from the phyla Bacteroidetes, and increased the species from phyla Firmicutes. Moreover, dietary sanguinarine supplementation improved mucosal morphology to achieve higher ratio of intestinal villus height to crypt depth (P < 0.05), and decreased the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-4 in jejunum mucosal. This study demonstrated that sanguinarine supplementation in the diet of yellow feathered broilers improved intestinal morphology and microbiota community structure to promote growth performance on 1-28d.

Effects of laying breeder hens dietary ß-carotene, curcumin, allicin, and sodium butyrate supplementation on the growth performance, immunity, and jejunum morphology of their offspring chicks.

This study evaluated the growth performance, immunity, and jejunum morphology of chicks hatched from laying breeder hens given dietary additive supplementation, as well as chicks receiving direct antibiotic supplementation in early life. Hy-line breeder hens were allotted to 2 groups with 3 replicates. A control group (CON) was fed a basal diet, and the treatment group (CCAB) received ß-carotene, curcumin, allicin, and sodium butyrate in addition to basal diet for 5 wk. Breeder-hen eggs were collected and hatched. The chicks hatched from the CON group were assigned to 2 treatments: a chick control group (cCON) and a chick treatment group (Cipro) given ciprofloxacin lactate into drinking water; the cCON group, Cipro group, and the chicks hatched from the CCAB group (cCCAB) were fed the same diet for 4 wk. The results demonstrated that there were significant differences between the CON and CCAB groups in the serum levels of IgA, IgG, IgM (triple P < 0.01), lysozyme (P < 0.05), and ß-defensin (P < 0.05). The body weights of the cCCAB group's chicks increased at 1, 7, and 28 D of age (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively), and those of the Cipro group's chicks increased at 7 and 21 D of age (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The tibial lengths of the cCCAB group's chicks increased at 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 D of age (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, triple P < 0.01), and the lengths in the Cipro group increased at 7 and 14 D of age (P < 0.01, P < 0.01). Intestinal development, including intestinal length, jejunum morphology, and IgA positive cells, helps to explain these results. The breeder eggs from the CCAB group had higher IgG (P < 0.05) and IgM (P < 0.05) levels in the egg whites and higher IgA, IgG, and IgM levels (triple P < 0.01) in the egg yolks. In conclusion, ß-carotene, curcumin, allicin, and sodium butyrate supplementation of laying breeder hen diets produced more advantages in growth performance and intestinal development in offspring than in chicks directly supplemented with antibiotics.

Feeding colostrum or a 1:1 colostrum:milk mixture for 3 days postnatal increases small intestinal development and minimally influences plasma glucagon-like peptide-2 and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations in Holstein bull calves.

This study evaluated how feeding colostrum- or a colostrum-milk mixture for 3 d postnatal affects plasma glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and small intestinal histomorphology in calves. Holstein bulls (n = 24) were fed colostrum at 2 h postnatal and randomly assigned to receive either colostrum (COL), whole milk (WM), or a 1:1 COL:WM mixture (MIX) every 12 h from 12 to 72 h. A jugular venous catheter was placed at 1 h postnatal to sample blood frequently for the duration of the experiment. Samples were collected at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 11, and 12 h. Following the 12-h meal, blood was collected at half-hour intervals until 16 h and then at 1-h intervals from 16 to 24 h. A 27-h sample was taken, then blood was sampled every 6 h from 30 to 60 h. Again, blood was taken at half-intervals from 60 to 64 h, then at 65 and 66 h, following which, a 2-h sampling interval was used until 72 h. Plasma GLP-2 (all time points) and serum IGF-1 (at time points: 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h) were both analyzed. Duodenal, jejunal, and ileal tissues were collected at 75 h of age to assess histomorphology and cellular proliferation. Feeding COL, rather than WM, increased plasma GLP-2 by 60% for 2 h and tended to increase GLP-2 by 49.4% for 4 h after the 60-h meal. Insulin-like growth factor-1 area under the curve (from 12 to 72 h) tended to be 27% greater for COL than WM calves but was otherwise unaffected by treatment. Ileal crypts tended to proliferate more with MIX than WM, whereas ileal crypt proliferation did not differ for COL compared with MIX or WM and was not different between treatments in the proximal jejunum. Villi height was increased 1.8 and 1.5× (COL and MIX vs. WM) in the proximal and distal jejunum, respectively, whereas MIX duodenal and ileal villi height tended to be 1.5 and 1.4× that of WM. Crypt depth did not differ in any region. Surface area of the gastrointestinal tract was reduced for WM by 60 and 58% (proximal jejunum) and 38 and 52% (ileum) relative to COL and MIX and was 54% less than MIX in the distal jejunum. Overall, extended COL feeding minimally increased plasma GLP-2 and serum IGF-1 compared with WM feeding. As COL and MIX similarly promoted small intestinal maturation, feeding calves transition milk to promote intestinal development could be a strategy for producers.

Influence of inclusion level of barley in wheat-based diets and supplementation of carbohydrase on growth performance, nutrient utilisation and gut morphometry in broiler starters.

1. The influence of barley inclusion level and supplementation of a multi-component non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme on performance and nutrient utilisation in broilers was investigated. Normal-starch hulled barley was evaluated with five levels of inclusion (0, 141, 283, 424 and 565 g/kg) in a wheat-based diet and two levels of enzyme supplementation (0 and 150 g/tonne of feed; a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of 10 dietary treatments). All diets were equivalent in metabolisable energy and digestible amino acid contents. A total of 400, one-d old male broilers (five cages/treatment; eight birds/cage) were used in the experiment.2. Regardless of enzyme supplementation, weight gain (WG) increased up to 283 g/kg of barley and was reduced afterwards (P < 0.01). Increasing levels of barley resulted in greater (P < 0.001) gain per feed (G/F). Enzyme addition increased WG (P < 0.05) and G/F (P < 0.001) at each barley inclusion level.3. Birds fed diets with 0 and 565 g/kg barley showed the lowest and highest (P < 0.001to 0.05) digestibility for all nutrients measured, respectively. Digestibility of all nutrients was improved by enzyme supplementation at each barley inclusion level (P < 0.05). The nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy improved with increasing inclusion of barley (P < 0.001) and supplemental enzyme (P < 0.01). Increasing inclusion of barley increased the relative weight of gizzard (P < 0.001) and reduced jejunal digesta viscosity (P < 0.001). Supplemental enzyme (P < 0.001) reduced digesta viscosity.4. The optimum inclusion level of barley, with respect to growth performance, was 283 g/kg of diet. Increasing barley inclusion improved nutrient and energy utilisation, possibly through lowered digesta viscosity and better function of the gizzard. Feed efficiency and nutrient and energy utilisation can benefit from carbohydrase supplementation in barley-based diets, regardless of barley inclusion level.

Effect of l-theanine on the growth performance, immune function, and jejunum morphology and antioxidant status of ducks.

l-theanine is a unique nonproteinogenic amino acid found in tea, and has recently received considerable attention because of its various biological activities. However, there is no available research report on the use of l-theanine as a feed additive in ducks. This study was conducted to investigate the potential benefits and appropriate dosages of l-theanine on the growth performance, immune function, serum biochemical parameters, and jejunum morphology and antioxidant capacity of ducks. A total of 600 1-day-old Chaohu ducks were randomly allocated into five dietary treatment groups supplemented with 0 (control group), 300, 600, 900 and 1500 mg/kg of l-theanine. Each group included five replicates of 24 birds each. Body weight at day 28 was increased (P<0.05) by l-theanine. From days 15 to 28, l-theanine elevated cumulative BW gain (BWG) and cumulative feed intake (FI), and decreased feed to gain ratio. From days 1 to 28, l-theanine elevated (P<0.05) cumulative BWG and cumulative FI. l-theanine elevated (P<0.05) the relative weight of bursa of Fabricus (day 14), thymus (day 14), spleen (day 28) and liver (day 28). On day 28, l-theanine decreased (P<0.05) serum glucose, uric acid, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-6 contents, and elevated (P<0.05) serum total protein, globulin (GLB), immune globulin A (IgA) and IgG contents, but only serum insulin, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6 contents was decreased (P<0.05) and serum GLB and IgM content was elevated (P<0.05) by l-theanine on day 14. On day 14, l-theanine decreased (P<0.05) jejunum crypt depth, and elevated (P<0.05) jejunum villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio (V/C), goblet cell number and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity. On day 28, l-theanine decreased (P<0.05) jejunum malondialdehyde content, and elevated (P<0.05) jejunum villus height, V/C, goblet cell number, and T-SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities. l-theanine levels caused quadratic effect on the growth performance, relative organ weight, serum parameters, jejunum morphology and antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, l-theanine can be used as a promising feed additive for ducks, and its optimal supplementation level was 600 to 900 mg/kg based on the current experimental condition.

Effects of different sulphur amino acids and dietary electrolyte balance levels on performance, jejunal morphology, and immunocompetence of broiler chicks.

As alterations of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) can influence amino acid metabolism via changes the ions incur in their configurations, performance and immunological responses of broiler chicks might be affected. So, the current study was carried out to investigate the effects of different levels of sulphur amino acids (SAA) and DEB on performance, jejunal morphology and immunocompetence of broiler chicks. A total of 360 1-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to nine experimental treatments with four replicates of 10 birds each. Experimental treatments consisted of three levels of SAA (100, 110, and 120% of NRC recommendation, provided by methionine supplementation in diets with the same cysteine level) and three levels of DEB (150, 250, and 350 mEq/kg) that were fed during the entire of trial in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement. Results showed that the relative weights of intestine and abdominal fat were decreased markedly (p < 0.001) with increasing levels of SAA and DEB respectively. Antibody titre against sheep red blood cell was neither individually nor in combination influenced by supplementation of SAA or DEB. Nevertheless, a decrease in DEB level led to a suppression in heterophile (p < 0.05) and an increase in lymphocyte counts (p = 0.06); consequently, heterophile to lymphocyte ratio was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) by decremental levels of DEB. Albumin to globulin ratio was increased after inclusion of at least 10% SAA (p < 0.001) and 150 mEq DEB/kg in the diet (p = 0.11). Although feeding high-DEB level led to a remarkable decrease in villus height (p < 0.01) and goblet cell numbers (p < 0.001), supplementing the highest level of SAA improved the height of jejunal villus. During the entire trial period, average daily feed intake (ADFI) was increased by incremental SAA levels (p < 0.05). However, inclusion of 150 mEq/kg led to not only a remarkable increase (p < 0.0001) in both ADFI and average daily weight gain (ADWG) but also to improved (p < 0.001) feed conversion ratio (FCR) both during the growing and over the entire trial periods. The present findings indicated that inclusion of low DEB decreased the heterophile to lymphocyte ratio and improved both the albumin to globulin ratio and intestinal health indices. The best growth performance was obtained with 150 mEq DEB/kg in the diet for each level of SAA.

Influence of dietary supplementation with flaxseed and lactobacilli on the mucosal morphology and proliferative cell rate in the jejunal mucosa of piglets after weaning.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of flaxseed and lactobacilli supplementation to the diet of piglets during the time period between 10 days before and 21 days after weaning. The morphometry of the jejunal mucosa and proliferative ratio of both epithelial and lamina propria cells were compared with those found in a group of piglets fed with the usual diet added with sunflower oil during the same time period. The addition of flaxseed oil to the diet significantly increased the crypt depth in comparison with both groups supplemented with sunflower (P < 0.05 and 0.001 respectively) on the weaning day. Moreover, the flaxseed addition caused a significant decrease in villus height (P < 0.01) and crypt depth (P < 0.01) 21 days postweaning in comparison with the sunflower group. The proliferative ratio of the epithelial cells in the sunflower group on the weaning day was significantly higher than in both flaxseed groups (P < 0.01). Paradoxically, significantly higher proliferative activity in the mucosal connective tissue in the group with flaxseed supplementation in comparison with the sunflower group was observed on the day of weaning, as well as 3 days later (P < 0.05 both). A combination of flaxseed with lactobacilli showed significantly lower proliferative activity in the connective tissue cells from weaning up to 7 days after weaning (P < 0.05 all) in comparison with the flaxseed group.

Coated zinc oxide improves intestinal immunity function and regulates microbiota composition in weaned piglets.

The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that low concentrations of coated ZnO, as a substitute for a high concentration of ZnO (2250 mg Zn/kg), could improve intestinal immunity function and regulate microbiota composition, thus alleviating the incidence of diarrhoea in weaned piglets. A total of eighty-four cross-bred piglets, weaned at an age of 28 (SEM 1) d, were allocated randomly, on the basis of average initial body weight (7·72 (SEM 0·65) kg), to seven treatment groups as follows: a 250 mg Zn (ZnO)/kg group (low Zn; LZ) and a 2250 mg Zn (ZnO)/kg group (high Zn; HZ) that were offered diets containing ZnO at 250 and 2250 mg Zn/kg, respectively; and five experimental groups in which coated ZnO was added at 250, 380, 570, 760 and 1140 mg Zn/kg basal diet, respectively. The trial lasted 2 weeks. The results indicated that, compared with LZ treatment, supplementation with coated ZnO at 380 or 570 mg Zn/kg reduced (P< 0·05) diarrhoea index, increased (P< 0·05) duodenal villus height and the ratio of villus height:crypt depth, up-regulated (P< 0·05) the gene expression of insulin-like growth factor 1, zonula occludens protein-1, occludin, IL-10 and transforming growth factor ß1, and elevated (P< 0·05) secretory IgA concentration in the jejunal mucosa. Microbiota richness and the Shannon diversity index were also decreased (P< 0·05). Furthermore, piglets in the group fed coated ZnO at 380 or 570 mg Zn/kg did not differ from those in the HZ-fed group in relation to the aforementioned parameters. Collectively, a low concentration of coated ZnO (380 or 570 mg Zn/kg) can alleviate the incidence of diarrhoea by promoting intestinal development, protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier from damage, stimulating the mucosal immune system and regulating the microbiota composition.

Albusin B modulates lipid metabolism and increases antioxidant defense in broiler chickens by a proteomic approach.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to investigate the effect of albusin B on lipid metabolism and antioxidant defense in broiler chickens by a proteomic approach. The bacteriocin, albusin B of Ruminococcus albus 7, expressed by yeast was applied in this study. Three dietary treatments, consisting of the basal diet (control), basal diet + albusin B (2.5 g kg⁻¹), and basal diet + nosiheptide (2.5 mg kg⁻¹) were randomly fed to 90 broiler chickens from 1 to 35 days of age, respectively. After 35 days of supplementation, the growth performance, lipid metabolism and antioxidant proteins in the jejunum and liver, intestinal protein profile, and plasma lipid profile were analyzed. RESULTS: Broilers with albusin B supplementation had greater body weight than the control broilers. Compared with the control broilers, lower triglyceride and higher high-density lipoprotein concentration in the blood were observed in both broilers with albusin B and nosiheptide supplementation. In addition, albusin B suppressed the mRNA expression of fatty acid binding protein 2 and ATP binding cassette transporter G 5 in the jejunum. In the jejunal protein profiles, four antioxidant proteins were upregulated by albusin B and nosiheptide treatments. The jejunal antioxidant gene expression had a concordant pattern. Hepatic genes related to lipid metabolism, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CoA reductase, and superoxide dismutase were upregulated by albusin B supplementation. CONCLUSION: Albusin B supplementation modulated lipid metabolism and activated systemic antioxidant defense, which might partially contribute to the performance of broiler chickens.

Influence of broccoli extract and various essential oils on performance and expression of xenobiotic- and antioxidant enzymes in broiler chickens.

The aim of our present study was to examine the regulation of xenobiotic- and antioxidant enzymes by phytogenic feed additives in the intestine and the liver of broilers. A total of 240 male Ross-308 broiler chickens (1 d old) were fed a commercial starter diet for 2 weeks. On day 15, the birds were assigned to six treatment groups of forty birds each. The control (Con) group was fed a diet without any additive for 3 weeks. The diet of group sulforaphane (SFN) contained broccoli extract providing 0.075 g/kg SFN, whereas the diets of the other four groups contained 0.15 g/kg essential oils from turmeric (Cuo), oregano (Oo), thyme and rosemary (Ro). Weight gain and feed conversion were slightly impaired by Cuo and Oo. In the jejunum SFN, Cuo and Ro increased the expression of xenobiotic enzymes (epoxide hydrolases 1 and 2 and aflatoxin B1 aldehyde reductase) and of the antioxidant enzyme haeme oxygenase regulated by an 'antioxidant response element' (ARE) compared to group Con. In contrast to our expectations in the liver, the expression of these enzymes was decreased by all the additives. Nevertheless, all the additives increased the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity of the jejunum and the liver and reduced Fe-induced lipid peroxidation in the liver. We conclude that the up-regulation of ARE genes in the small intestine reduces oxidative stress in the organism and represents a novel mechanism by which phytogenic feed additives improve the health of farm animals.

Effect of dietary crude protein level on jejunal brush border enzyme activities in weaned pigs.

Forty weaned pigs (7.0 ± 0.5 kg, mean ± SD) were used to determine the effects of feeding a low crude protein, amino acid-supplemented diet to piglets on the activities of jejunal brush border enzymes. Pigs were randomly allotted to two diets: a 222 g crude protein (HCP) per kg diet, or a 173 g crude protein per kg diet supplemented with amino acids (LCP). Pigs fed the HCP diet had higher small intestine weight compared with those fed the LCP diet on day 7 after weaning. Diet had no effect on the specific activities of jejunal sucrase, lactase, leucine aminopeptidase, aminopeptidase A, aminopeptidase N and dipeptidyl peptidase IV. The activities of sucrase and lactase decreased (p < 0.05) from day 3 after weaning to day 7, but the activities of leucine aminopeptidase and aminopeptidase N increased. The results showed that feeding a low protein diet supplemented with amino acids according to the ideal protein ratio to piglets had no negative effect on the development of jejunal brush border enzymes.

Cloning of a pig homologue of the human lactoferrin receptor: expression and localization during intestinal maturation in piglets.

The presence of a small intestinal lactoferrin receptor (SI-LfR) has been suggested in the pig, but remains to be identified. LfR has been suggested to play a key role in the internalization of lactoferrin (Lf) and to facilitate absorption of iron bound to Lf. The aim of this study was to identify the pig SI-LfR cDNA, determine its mRNA and protein expression during different stages of intestinal development. The coding region of the pig LfR cDNA was cloned by PCR using conserved sequences among species. LfR mRNA expression and protein abundance were measured in proximal small intestine from piglets at 1 week (pre-weaning), 3 weeks (weaning) and 6 months (post-weaning) of age by quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Intestinal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) were also isolated to examine LfR abundance on the apical membrane. We determined the pig SI-LfR open reading frame (ORF) consists of 972 bp, resulting in a protein with a molecular mass approximately 135 kD and approximately 35 kD under non-reducing and reducing conditions, respectively. Using Q-PCR, we determined LfR expression significantly increased with age in the duodenum and reciprocally decreased in the jejunum. Intestinal LfR protein expression was maintained at all timepoints in the jejunum; however, in the duodenum LfR abundance reached maximum levels at 6 months. In BBMV fractions, LfR abundance significantly increased with age. Taken together our findings demonstrate the presence of a human SI-LfR homologue in pig, with mRNA and protein expression concomitantly regulated in the duodenum and inversely regulated in the jejunum. These findings suggest a mechanism by which pig Lf can be internalized in the intestine.

Evaluation of the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on the myenteric plexus of the small intestine of Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: The aging process causes a reduction in the myenteric neuronal population, related to oxidative stress, resulting in malfunctioning of the digestive tract. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the action of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761), an important antioxidant drug, on the myenteric plexus of the jejunum and ileum of rats after treatment for 120 days. METHODS: Fragments of the jejunum and ileum were collected from three groups of rats: a 90-day-old group (group Y), a 210-day-old group (group A), and a 210-day-old group treated daily with the extract EGb 761 (50 mg/kg body weight) (group TA). The analysis was carried out by using the myosin-V immunohistochemical technique. Neuronal densities were estimated, and a study of the neuronal profile area of 500 neurons from each group was carried out. RESULTS: In the jejunum, there was a significant neuronal population reduction of 17% only in group A compared with group Y. In the ileum, there was a significant neuronal reduction of 36% in group A compared with group Y, and a significant reduction in group TA of 20%. The difference in the reduction between groups A and TA in the ileum was also significant. In the jejunum, only group A showed a significant increase in neuronal profile area, but in the ileum, there was a significant increase in both groups A and TA. CONCLUSIONS: A daily dose of 50 mg/kg body weight of Ginkgo biloba extract has a significant neuroprotector effect on the myenteric plexus of the ileum during the aging process in rats.

Effect of lactoferrin on selected immune system parameters and the gastrointestinal morphology in growing calves.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a cationic iron-binding glycoprotein that is abundantly expressed and secreted from glandular epithelial cells and a prominent component of the secondary granules of polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Various in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate anti-microbial, -viral, -mycotic and -inflammatory effects of LF, associated with modulations of the immune system. Effects of oral administered LF on selected immune system parameters were studied in calves. Five calves were fed LF beginning on day 3 of life with colostral milk and starting on day 6 of life milk replacer enriched with 0.16% LF was fed. The average daily intake of LF per calf was 1.5-1.6 g/day. Additional five calves served as control group with identical treatment except for the LF supplementation. At the end of the study (day 61 of life), all calves were slaughtered and various tissues were sampled for histological and gene-expression studies. LF given orally was shown to act as an immunomodulatory agent by enhancing the size of Peyer's patches in the ileum and increasing blood serum immunoglobulin G levels. In addition, the number of peripheral blood leucocytes increased and mRNA levels of various interleukins (IL) such as IL-1beta, IL-8, IL-10 and interferon gamma (IFNgamma) in those cells in response to LF treatment were enhanced. In blood, the mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory marker genes IL-1beta and IFNgamma decreased over 10-week treatment. Additionally, LF feeding decreased villus sizes in the jejunum. Together these findings emphasize the ability of LF to stimulate prominent immune system parameters and that it has the capacity to modulate the immune responses in a positive way.

Supplementation of glutamine and vitamin E on the morphometry of the intestinal mucosa in broiler chickens.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of Gln and vitamin E (VE) supplementation in the diet of broiler chickens (Cobb-Vantress) on the morphometry of the intestinal mucosa. The design was completely randomized in a 2 x 3 (VE x periods of administering Gln) factorial arrangement. The levels of VE used were 10 and 500 mg/kg of diet and 3 periods of administering (1%) Gln-supplemented starter diet (for the first 7 or 14 d of life or for no added Gln), totaling 6 treatments with 5 replicates of 50 birds per experimental unit. In the growth period (d 22 to 41 posthatch), the treatments consisted only in the respective levels of VE. On d 7, 14, 21, and 41 posthatch, 2 birds per replicate were killed, and samples of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were subsequently removed, fixed in Bouin solution, and later embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. The parameters analyzed were villus height and crypt depth. An ANOVA was applied to the obtained data, and the means were compared using Tukey's test (5% significance level). Greater development was observed in the duodenum, followed by the jejunum and ileum. On 41 d of life, diets with 10 mg of VE/kg supplemented with Gln (for the first 7 d of life) provided better development of the intestinal mucosa in broiler chickens.

Influence of diet type on the inclusion of plant origin active substances on morphological and histochemical characteristics of the stomach and jejunum walls in chicken.

Three hundred and thirty-six 1-day-old male Hubbard HI-Ye broiler hybrids, kept in battery cages, were fed with diets based on maize (groups I and II) or wheat and barley (groups III and IV) and supplemented with or without plant extract (XT* 100 mg/kg) containing 5% carvacrol, 3% cinnamaldehyde and 2% of capsicum oleoresin. The morphological and histochemical examinations were carried out on days 21 and 42 of bird's age. The middle part of glandular part of the stomach and 30 mm long segment from the central part of the small intestine (jejunum) were taken out and then prepared for morphometrical and histochemical assays. Mobilization of mucocytes in superficial epithelium of the glandular stomach and increased secretion of neutral mucopolysaccharides and small amounts of sialomucins with or without local cell disruption with releasing of large amounts of mucus were observed in both 'grain' groups of 21-day-old birds fed with extract. In some animals, particularly those fed mixtures with plant extract, the folds of the proventriculum mucosa were fused into large, unshaped structures. In groups fed with plant extract the mucus secretion intensity and accumulation inside cells of the gastrointestinal mucosa were slightly higher. Morphological changes on gastrointestinal mucosa observed in young chickens fed XT were reduced in older animals. The results of this study showed that the increased releasing of large amounts of mucus and the creation of a thick layer of mucus on glandular stomach and wall of jejunum in chickens fed diets with plant extract could suggest villi-related protective properties of the use of the carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and capsaicin mixture. This can explain the reduced possibility of adhesion to epithelium and number of Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringes and fungi in the intestinal content of bird fed with XT supplemented diet. In morphometrical parameters of depth of jejunum crypt and height of villi, the influence of kind of grain and extract supplementation was observed in 21-day-old chickens only. The significant interaction between higher jejunum wall villi layer was observed only in chickens fed on maize diet supplemented with plant extract.

Dietary supplementation with orotate and uracil increases adaptive growth of jejunal mucosa after massive small bowel resection in rats.

BACKGROUND: Massive small-bowel resection (SBR) increases adaptive growth of residual intestine in animal models of short-bowel syndrome (SBS). Pyrimidine nucleotides are critical for DNA and RNA synthesis, but no previous study has evaluated whether supplementation of pyrimidines or their precursors in the diet enhances adaptive gut growth after SBR. This study determined growth responses in jejunal mucosa after 7 days of dietary supplementation with uracil, or its precursor, orotate, after massive SBR in rats. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats ( approximately 200 g) underwent 80% jejunoileal resection (RX) or ileal transection (TX; control). Rats were pair-fed a purified (AIN-93G) powdered diet supplemented with or without 1% (wt/wt) orotate or uracil until killing at 7 days postsurgery. Defined jejunal segments were obtained for analysis of mucosal villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), total mucosal height, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, an index of cell proliferation, and full-thickness DNA and protein content as measures of intestinal adaptive growth. RESULTS: Jejunal VH increased significantly with SBR, as expected, and orotate further stimulated this response. Jejunal CD and total mucosal height increased significantly with both orotate and uracil supplementation compared with resected animals receiving standard diet. Orotate administration also increased jejunal DNA content compared with the increase observed with SBR alone. Finally, orotate, but not uracil, supplementation increased BrdU incorporation compared with resected rats fed standard or uracil-supplemented diet after SBR. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of oral diet with the pyrimidine precursor orotate and uracil stimulated adaptive jejunal growth after massive SBR in rats. Dietary orotate had more potent growth-stimulatory effects than uracil in this animal model. Dietary supplementation with orotate and uracil represents a novel nutrition approach to enhance small-bowel mucosal adaptive growth and absorptive capacity in SBS.

Effect of high-selenium wheat on visceral organ mass, and intestinal cellularity and vascularity in finishing beef steers.

Twelve crossbred steers (351 +/- 24 kg initial BW) were used to determine effects of high-Se wheat on visceral tissue mass, intestinal cell growth, and intestinal cellularity and vascularity. Steers were allotted randomly by BW to one of two treatments consisting of 75% concentrate diets that supplied 1) adequate Se concentration (7 to 12 microg x kg x BW(-1) x d(-1)) or 2) high-Se concentration (60 to 70 microg x kg x BW(-1) x d(-1)). Diets were similar in composition, including 25% grass hay, 25% wheat, 39% corn, 5% desugared molasses, and 6% wheat middlings supplement on a DM basis. In the Se treatment, high-Se wheat (10 ppm Se, DM basis) was replaced with low-Se wheat (0.35 ppm Se, DM basis). Diets were formulated to be similar in CP and energy (14.0% CP, 2.12 Mcal of NEm/kg, and 1.26 Mcal NEg/kg of DM) and were offered daily (1500) to individual steers in an electronic feeding system. Diets were fed at 2.38% BW. After 126 d, steers were slaughtered, and individual visceral tissue weights determined. Concentrations of DNA, RNA, and protein of duodenum, ileum, and total small intestine were not affected (P > or = 0.33) by treatment. Similarly, RNA:DNA and protein:DNA ratios in duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and whole small intestine were not (P > or = 0.33) affected by feeding high-Se wheat. Conversely, jejunal weight was greater (P < 0.002) in steers fed high-Se wheat than in controls (916 vs. 1,427 +/- 84 g). Jejunal DNA was increased (P < 0.04) in steers fed high-Se wheat (2.95 vs. 3.56 +/- 0.19 mg/g), suggesting increased cell number. Concentrations of jejunal RNA and protein were not altered by treatment; however, because the jejunal weight increased in high-Se steers, DNA, RNA, and protein contents (grams) were greater than in control steers (P < 0.05). Vascularity of jejunal tissue decreased (P < 0.10) with high-Se wheat; however, because jejunal mass was greater for the high-Se wheat treatment, total microvascular volume was not affected by treatment. Percentage of jejunal crypt cell proliferation was not affected (P = 0.48) by treatment; however, total number of cells proliferating within the jejunum was increased in steers fed high-Se wheat. Data indicate that the lower jejunal vascularity in the diet high in Se (provided from wheat) may have resulted in increased jejunal mass to meet physiological nutrient demand. Therefore, negative effects of Se level used in this study on productive performance of feedlot steers are not expected.

Dietary nucleotides accelerate intestinal recovery after food deprivation in old rats.

Previous studies in very young rats have shown that dietary nucleotides improve small intestine repair after injury or malnutrition. To investigate the potential effect of nucleotides in old rats, which have a diminished capability for intestinal repair, 17-mo-old rats were deprived of food for 5 d and then fed a nucleotide-free diet or a nucleotide-supplemented diet for 3 or 6 d. Intestinal jejunal and ileal mucosal weight, protein and DNA were evaluated as intestinal growth markers, and brush-border maltase, sucrase, lactase and aminopeptidase activities were evaluated as intestinal differentiation markers. The adenine nucleotide pool and the adenylate energy charge were also evaluated as indices of nucleotide availability. Food deprivation significantly decreased mucosal growth markers as well as differentiation markers in both jejunum and ileum. The ATP pool was also significantly depressed, but the adenylate energy charge was not significantly altered. To a certain extent, refeeding restored the losses, but in the rats that were fed the nucleotide-free diet, the restoration of the jejunum was significantly slower and the restoration of the ileum differentiation markers was incomplete compared with the rats fed the nucleotide-supplemented diet. The results suggest that dietary nucleotide intake in the elderly may accelerate the normal physiological intestinal response to refeeding after food deprivation.