RESUMEN
Due to the legislation of antibiotic usage, natural substances are required for application in the poultry industry. Because of their potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, carotenoids are great sources. Capsanthin, a major carotenoid giving the red color of pepper, is a promising feed additive, as it can reduce chronic inflammation. This study was conducted to determine the effects of capsanthin supplementation at 80â¯mgâ¯kg-1 in feed on the immune response of broiler chickens under Escherichia coli O55:B5 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Ross 308 male broilers were divided into treatments: control (basal diet) and feed-supplemented groups. At 42â¯d of age, chickens were weighed and then challenged with 1â¯mg LPS per kilogram of body weight intraperitoneally. Four hours after injection, birds were euthanized, and then spleen and blood samples were collected. Capsanthin supplement at 80â¯mgâ¯kg-1 did not change the growth parameters and the relative spleen weight. LPS immunization resulted in higher splenic interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) mRNA expressions. Capsanthin addition reached lower gene expression levels of IL-6 and IFN-γ compared to the LPS-injected birds. At plasma level, dietary capsanthin resulted in lower IL-1ß and IL-6 levels. These results may indicate the potential anti-inflammatory effect of capsanthin supplementation in broiler chickens.