Enhancing pig growth and gut health with fermented Jatropha curcas cake: Impacts on microbiota, metabolites, and neurotransmitters.

Given the escalating global crisis in feed protein availability, Jatropha curcas L. cake has attracted significant interest as a viable alternative protein source in animal feed. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of fermented Jatropha curcas L. cake (FJCC) as a protein feed in the diet of pigs. A total of 96 growing pigs with an average weight of 27.60 ± 1.59 kg were divided into three dietary groups with varying FJCC inclusion levels (0, 2.5, and 5%) for a 28 d trial. Results showed that the diet with 5% FJCC (FJCC5) demonstrated significant improvements in average daily gain (p = 0.009), feed-to-gain ratio (p = 0.036), nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphology. Furthermore, the FJCC5 diet resulted in a decrease in pH values in different gut sections (jejunum p = 0.045, cecum p = 0.001, colon p = 0.012), and favorably altered the profile of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) with increased butyric acid content (p = 0.005) and total SCFAs (p = 0.019). Additionally, this diet notably decreased IL-6 levels in the jejunum (p = 0.008) and colon (=0.047), significantly reduced IL-1 levels in the hypothalamus (p < 0.001), and lowered IL-1, IL-6, and IL-10 levels in plasma (p < 0.05). Microbiota and metabolite profile analysis revealed an elevated abundance of beneficial microbes (p < 0.05) and key metabolites such as 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (p = 0.003) and serotonin (5-HT) (p = 0.022), linked to neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. Moreover, FJCC5 significantly boosted circulating neurotransmitter levels of 5-HT (p = 0.006) and GABA (p = 0.002) in plasma and hypothalamus, with corresponding increases in precursor amino acids (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that FJCC, particularly at a 5% inclusion rate, can be an effective substitute for traditional protein sources like soybean meal, offering benefits beyond growth enhancement to gut health and potentially impacting the gut-brain axis. This research underscores FJCC's potential as a valuable component in sustainable animal nutrition strategies.

L-theanine attenuates H2O2-induced inflammation and apoptosis in IPEC-J2 cells via inhibiting p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

This study investigated the protective effects of L-theanine on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction in IPEC-J2 cells. Results showed that L-theanine reduced H2O2-induced IPEC-J2 cells inflammation and apoptosis, and decreased protein phosphorylation levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB). The p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) decreased oxidative stress, the protein expression of phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB, the H2O2-induced increase in mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory related genes expression and secretion, and tight junction protein related genes expression, which was similar to the effect of L-theanine. In conclusion, L-theanine inhibited H2O2-induced oxidative damage and inflammatory reaction, eliminated apoptosis, and protected intestinal epithelial barrier damage by inhibiting the activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Dietary α-Ketoglutarate Alleviates Escherichia coli LPS-Induced Intestinal Barrier Injury by Modulating the Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondrial System Pathway in Piglets.

BACKGROUND: α-Ketoglutarate (AKG) plays a pivotal role in mitigating inflammation and enhancing intestinal health. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate whether AKG could protect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal injury by alleviating disorders in mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (MAM) membranes, dysfunctional mitochondrial dynamics, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in a piglet model. METHODS: Twenty-four piglets were subjected to a 2 × 2 factorial design with dietary factors (basal diet or 1% AKG diet) and LPS treatment (LPS or saline). After 21 d of consuming either the basal diet or AKG diet, piglets received injections of LPS or saline. The experiment was divided into 4 treatment groups [control (CON) group: basal diet + saline; LPS group: basal diet +LPS; AKG group: AKG diet + saline; and AKG_LPS group: AKG + LPS], each consisting of 6 piglets. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that compared with the CON group, AKG enhanced jejunal morphology, antioxidant capacity, and the messenger RNA and protein expression of tight junction proteins. Moreover, it has shown a reduction in serum diamine oxidase activity and D-lactic acid content in piglets. In addition, fewer disorders in the ER-mitochondrial system were reflected by AKG, as evidenced by AKG regulating the expression of key molecules of mitochondrial dynamics (mitochondrial calcium uniporter, optic atrophy 1, fission 1, and dynamin-related protein 1), ER stress [activating transcription factor (ATF) 4, ATF 6, C/EBP homologous protein, eukaryotic initiation factor 2α, glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 78, and protein kinase R-like ER kinase], and MAM membranes [mitofusin (Mfn)-1, Mfn-2, GRP 75, and voltage-dependent anion channel-1]. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary AKG can prevent mitochondrial dynamic dysfunction, ER stress, and MAM membrane disorder, ultimately alleviating LPS-induced intestinal damage in piglets.

Dietary ethylenediamine dihydroiodide mitigated Escherichia coli O78-induced immune and intestinal damage of ducks via suppression of NF-κB signal.

This study investigated the effect of Ethylenediamine dihydroiodide (EDDI) on growth performance, immune function and intestinal health of meat ducks challenged with Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). A total of 360 one-day-old Cherry Valley ducks with similar body weight were randomly allocated to 6 treatments (6 floor cages, 10 birds/cage). A 3 × 2 factor design was used with 3 dietary iodine levels (0, 8, 16 mg/kg in the form EDDI and whether APEC was challenged or not at 7-day-old ducks. The feeding period lasted for 20 d. The results showed that the addition of EDDI reduced APEC-induced decrease of the 20-d weight loss of meat ducks (P < 0.05), and alleviated the inflammatory response of liver tissue induced by APEC challenge in meat ducks. In terms of immune function, EDDI supplementation reduced the immune organ index and increased the immune cell count of meat ducks, reduced the level of endotoxins in the serum of meat ducks (P < 0.05), as well as inhibited the expression levels of liver and spleen inflammatory factors and TLR signaling pathway related genes induced by APEC (P < 0.05). In terms of intestinal health, EDDI inhibited APEC-induced decreases in ZO-3 genes expression and increases in IL-1ß and TNF-α expression, increased relative abundance of beneficial bacteria in the cecum and content of metabolites. Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between liver inflammatory factors and TLR4 signaling pathway genes, and there might be a significant correlation between intestinal microbial flora and other physiological indexes of meat ducks, which indicated that EDDI could reduce the damage to immune function and intestinal health caused by APEC challenge through regulating the structure of intestinal flora. Collectively, our findings suggest that the EDDI can promote growth performance, improve immune function and the intestinal barrier in APEC-challenged meat ducks, which may be related to the suppression of NF-κB signal.

Effects of Dietary Glutamine Supplementation on the Modulation of Microbiota and Th17/Treg Immune Response Signaling Pathway in Piglets after Lipopolysaccharide Challenge.

BACKGROUND: Glutamine (Gln) has an important effect on the growth performance and immune function of piglets. However, the effect of Gln on intestinal immunity in piglets through modulating the signaling pathways of the helper T cells 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cells (Treg) immune response has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of Gln on piglet growth performance and immune stress response and its mechanism in piglets. METHODS: Twenty-four weaned piglets were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicates each, using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: diet (basal diet or 1% Gln diet) and immunological challenge [saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)]. After 21 d, half of the piglets on the basal diet and 1% Gln diet received the intraperitoneal injection of LPS and the other half received the same volume of normal saline. RESULTS: The results showed that Gln increased average daily feed intake and average daily weight gain in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). Dietary Gln increased the villus height, villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, and the abundance of Bacteroidetes, Lactobacillus sp., and Ruminococcus sp. while reducing the abundance of Firmicutes, Clostridium sensu stricto 1 sp., and Terrisporobacter sp. (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Gln increased the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the colon and the expression of genes of interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor-beta-1, forkhead box P3 while downregulating the expression of genes of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-17A, IL-21, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and rar-related orphan receptor c in ileum (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis demonstrated a strong association between colonic microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, and ileal inflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that dietary Gln could improve growth performance and attenuate LPS-challenged intestinal inflammation by modulating microbiota and the Th17/Treg immune response signaling pathway in piglets.

Alpha-ketoglutaric acid attenuates oxidative stress and modulates mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy of spleen in a piglet model of lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis.

Alpha-ketoglutaric acid (2-ketoglutaric acid or 2-oxoglutaric acid, AKG), a crucial intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, is pivotal in animal antioxidative process. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether AKG has the efficacy to mitigate spleen oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis piglets through the modulation of mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy. Utilizing a 2 × 2 factorial design, the study encompassed 24 piglets subjected to varying diets (basal or 1% AKG) and immune stimulations (saline or LPS) over 21 days. Subsequently, they were injected intraperitoneally with either LPS or saline solution. The results showed that LPS decreased antioxidant capacity, whereas AKG supplementation increased antioxidant activities compared to control group. LPS elevated mitochondrial fission factor, mitochondrial elongation factor 1, mitochondrial elongation factor 2, dynamin-related protein 1, voltage-dependent anion channel 1, and fission 1 mRNA abundance, but reduced mRNA abundance of mitofusin 1, mitofusin 2, and optic atrophy 1 compared to controls. LPS elevated mRNA abundance of autophagy related protein 5, autophagy related protein 7, P62, Beclin1, and interleukin-1ß mRNA abundance compared to controls. However, AKG supplementation mitigated these effects induced by LPS. Additionally, AKG intake was associated with lower protein expressions of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3, Parkin, and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 compared to LPS-challenged piglets. These results suggested that AKG could alleviate spleen oxidative stress caused by LPS by regulating mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy.

Selenomethionine alleviates chronic heat stress-induced breast muscle injury and poor meat quality in broilers via relieving mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

In the present study, the chronic heat stress (CHS) broiler model was developed to investigate the potential protection mechanism of organic selenium (selenomethionine, SeMet) on CHS-induced skeletal muscle growth retardation and poor meat quality. Four hundred Arbor Acres male broilers (680 ± 70 g, 21 d old) were grouped into 5 treatments with 8 replicates of 10 broilers per replicate. Broilers in the control group were raised in a thermoneutral environment (22 ± 2 °C) and fed with a basal diet. The other four treatments were exposed to hyperthermic conditions (33 ± 2 °C, 24 h in each day) and fed on the basal diet supplied with SeMet at 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 mg Se/kg, respectively, for 21 d. Results showed that CHS reduced (P < 0.05) the growth performance, decreased (P < 0.05) the breast muscle weight and impaired the meat quality of breast muscle in broilers. CHS induced protein metabolic disorder in breast muscle, which increased (P < 0.05) the expression of caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9 and ubiquitin proteasome system related genes, while decreased the protein expression of P-4EBP1. CHS also decreased the antioxidant capacity and induced mitochondrial stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in breast muscle, which increased (P < 0.05) the ROS levels, decreased the concentration of ATP, increased the protein expression of HSP60 and CLPX, and increased (P < 0.05) the expression of ER stress biomarkers. Dietary SeMet supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) breast muscle Se concentration and exhibited protective effects via up-regulating the expression of the selenotranscriptome and several key selenoproteins, which increased (P < 0.05) body weight, improved meat quality, enhanced antioxidant capacity and mitigated mitochondrial stress and ER stress. What's more, SeMet suppressed protein degradation and improved protein biosynthesis though inhibiting the caspase and ubiquitin proteasome system and promoting the mTOR-4EBP1 pathway. In conclusion, dietary SeMet supplementation increases the expression of several key selenoproteins, alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress, improves protein biosynthesis, suppresses protein degradation, thus increases the body weight and improves meat quality of broilers exposed to CHS.

Zinc glycine chelate ameliorates DSS-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction via attenuating TLR4/NF-κB pathway in meat ducks.

BACKGROUND: Zinc glycine chelate (Zn-Gly) has anti-inflammation and growth-promoting properties; however, the mechanism of Zn-Gly contribution to gut barrier function in Cherry Valley ducks during intestinal inflammation is unknown. Three-hundred 1-day-old ducks were divided into 5 groups (6 replicates and 10 ducks per replicate) in a completely randomized design: the control and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) groups were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet, and experimental groups received supplements of 70, 120 or 170 mg/kg Zn in form of Zn-Gly. The DSS and treatment groups were given 2 mL of 0.45 g/mL DSS daily during d 15-21, and the control group received normal saline. The experiment lasted 21 d. RESULTS: Compared with DSS group, 70, 120 and 170 mg/kg Zn significantly increased body weight (BW), villus height and the ratio of villus to crypt, and significantly decreased the crypt depth of jejunum at 21 d. The number of goblet cells in jejunal villi in the Zn-Gly group was significantly increased by periodic acid-Schiff staining. Compared with control, the content of intestinal permeability marker D-lactic acid (D-LA) and fluxes of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-D) in plasma of DSS group significantly increased, and 170 mg/kg Zn supplementation significantly decreased the D-LA content and FITC-D fluxes. Compared with control, contents of plasma, jejunum endotoxin and jejunum pro-inflammatory factors IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased in DSS group, and were significantly decreased by 170 mg/kg Zn supplementation. Dietary Zn significantly increased the contents of anti-inflammatory factors IL-10, IL-22 and sIgA and IgG in jejunum. Real-time PCR and Western blot results showed that 170 mg/kg Zn supplementation significantly increased mRNA expression levels of CLDN-1 and expression of OCLN protein in jejunum, and decreased gene and protein expression of CLDN-2 compared with DSS group. The 120 mg/kg Zn significantly promoted the expressions of IL-22 and IgA. Dietary Zn-Gly supplementation significantly decreased pro-inflammatory genes IL-8 and TNF-α expression levels and TNF-α protein expression in jejunum. Additionally, Zn significantly reduced the gene and protein expression of TLR4, MYD88 and NF-κB p65. CONCLUSIONS: Zn-Gly improved duck BW and alleviated intestinal injury by regulating intestinal morphology, barrier function and gut inflammation-related signal pathways TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB p65.

Effects of betaine on growth performance and intestinal health of rabbits fed different digestible energy diets.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of betaine on growth performance and intestinal health in rabbits fed diets with different levels of digestible energy. During a 36-d experiment, a total of 144 healthy 35-d-old weaned New Zealand white rabbits with a similar initial body weight (771.05 ±â€…41.79 g) were randomly distributed to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Experimental treatments consisted of two levels of digestible energy (normal: 10.20 and low: 9.60 MJ/kg) and three levels of betaine (0, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg). Results indicated that rabbits fed the diet with low digestible energy (LDE) had reduced body gain/feed intake on days 1 to 14 and 1 to 36 (P < 0.05), increased the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and n-free extract, and decreased the ATTD of gross energy (GE), crude fiber, and organic matter (OM; P < 0.05). The LDE diet upregulated the gene abundance levels of duodenum junctional adhesion molecule-3 (JAM-3) and downregulated the ileum toll-like receptor 4, myeloid differentiation factor 88, and interleukin-6 (IL-6; P < 0.05). Activities of amylase, lipase, trypsin, and the immunoglobulin M content in the jejunum were decreased in the LDE treatment group (P < 0.05). Dietary betaine supplementation increased the ATTD of GE, dry matter (DM), ADF, and n-free extract by LDE (P < 0.05). The villus height, crypt depth, and goblet cell numbers were decreased, and the villus-crypt ratio was increased in the duodenum (P < 0.05). The gene abundance levels of duodenum IL-2 were downregulated, and the duodenum JAM-2 and JAM-3 were upregulated (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the addition of betaine to the LDE diet increased the ATTD of GE, DM, and OM in rabbits (P < 0.05). Gene abundance levels of ileum IL-6 and duodenum JAM-3 were upregulated (P < 0.05). In summary, LDE diets can reduce the activity of intestinal digestive enzymes and decrease the ATTD of nutrients. However, the addition of betaine to LDE diets improved the intestinal barrier structure and nutrient ATTD in rabbits, with better results when betaine was added at an additive level of 500 mg/kg.

Insufficient dietary energy can cause many negative effects on animal production and cause intestinal diseases, which are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in rabbits. Results of some experiments demonstrated that betaine has various physiological functions such as improving energy utilization and intestinal health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of betaine supplementation on growth performance, intestinal function, and health in rabbits fed diets with different levels of digestible energy. The results showed that the addition of betaine to a low-digestible energy diet improved the gut barrier structure and nutrient digestibility in rabbits.

Effects of dietary N-carbamylglutamate supplementation on the modulation of microbiota and Th17/Treg balance-related immune signaling after lipopolysaccharide challenge.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on piglets' growth performance and immune response, and to unravel the mechanisms of such effects. In a 2 × 2 factorial design including diet (with or without NCG) and immunological challenge (saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)), 24 piglets were randomly distributed into four groups. After being fed a basic diet or a NCG-supplemented diet for 21 days, piglets were administered LPS or saline intraperitoneally. RESULTS: The results showed that NCG increased the average daily gain and average daily feed intake, and the feed conversion ratio of piglets, and alleviated the adverse effects of LPS stimulation on intestinal morphology. At the phylum level, NCG reversed the increase in the abundance of Firmicutes and the reduction in that of Actinomycete caused by LPS stimulation. At the genus level, NCG increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, Blautia, norank_Butyricicoccaceae, Subdoligranulum, and Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group, and LPS decreased the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella and Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group. The short-chain fatty acid content was increased by NCG, but LPS reduced its content. N-Carbamylglutamate also inhibited significantly the LPS-induced increase in the relative expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3, related orphan receptor (RAR) c, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the decrease in the relative expression of STAT5, forkhead box P3, IL-10 and transforming growth factor beta 1 mRNA. A significant correlation was found between intestinal microbiota and inflammatory cytokines and short-chain fatty acids. CONCLUSION: N-Carbamylglutamate can improve piglets' growth performance. It can also attenuate LPS-induced intestinal inflammation by modulating microbiota and Th17/Treg balance-related immune signaling pathways. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Extrusion puffing as a pretreatment method to change the surface structure, physicochemical properties and in vitro protein digestibility of distillers dried grains with solubles.

BACKGROUND: Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are rich in nutrition, and they are potential protein feed raw material. However, the existence of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin hinders animals' digestion and absorption of DDGS. Making full use of unconventional feed resources such as DDGS can alleviate the shortage of feed resources to a certain extent. This research investigated the effects of twin-screw extrusion on the macromolecular composition, physical and chemical properties, surface structure and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) of DDGS. RESULTS: The findings showed that extrusion puffing significantly increased the protein solubility, bulk density, water holding capacity, and swelling capacity, while significantly decreased hemicellulose and crude protein content, particle size and zeta potential of DDGS. The structure damage of DDGS induced by the extrusion was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FITR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Interestingly, no random coil was observed in the analysis of the secondary structure, and extrusion promoted the transformation of α-helix and ß-turn to ß-sheet, which led to significant increases in protein solubility and IVPD of DDGS (P < 0.05). Additionally, correlation analysis revealed that IVPD and PS had a positive relationship. CONCLUSION: Extrusion puffing was an ideal pretreatment method for DDGS modification to improve in vitro protein digestibility. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Hydroxy Selenomethionine Exert Different Protective Effects Against Dietary Oxidative Stress-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Spleen and Thymus of Pigs.

Oxidative stress (OS) is widespread in animal husbandry, which causes edema in immune organs and suppresses immune function of animals. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element involved in immune regulation and improves animals' immunity. In present study, growing and finishing pigs were used to determine the protective effects of the new organic Se (hydroxy selenomethionine, OH-SeMet) on dietary oxidative stress (DOS) induced inflammatory responses, and the corresponding response of selenotranscriptome in spleen and thymus. Forty castrated male pigs (25.0 ± 3.0 kg) were randomly grouped into 5 dietary treatments (n = 8) and fed on basal diet (formulated with normal corn and normal oils) or oxidized diet (formulated with aged corn and oxidized oils) supplied with 0.0, 0.3, 0.6, or 0.9 mg Se/kg OH-SeMet, after 16 weeks, the corresponding indicators were determined. Results showed that DOS moderately increased the spleen and thymus index, decreased the antioxidant capacity of serum, spleen and thymus, and increased the concentration of serum inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α). The inflammatory response in spleen and thymus under DOS were discrepancies, DOS increased the expression of inflammation-related gene (IFN-ß and TNF-α) in thymus, while exhibited no impact on that of the spleen. Dietary OH-SeMet supplementation exhibited protective effects, which decreased the spleen and thymus index, improved the antioxidant capacity of serum, spleen and thymus, and decreased the serum IL-1ß and IL-6 levels. Se supplementation exhibited limited impact on the inflammation-related genes in spleen, except decreased the mRNA expression of IL-8. On the contrary, Se supplementation showed more impact on that of the thymus, which decreased the mRNA expression of IL-8 and TNF-α, increased the expression of IFN-ß, IL-6, IL-10, and MCP1. In addition, selenotranscriptome responsive to dietary Se levels in spleen and thymus were discrepancies. Se supplementation increased the mRNA expression of  the selenotranscriptome in thymus, while exhibited limited impact on that of in spleen. In conclusion, dietary OH-SeMet supplementation mitigates the DOS-induced immunological stress by increasing the antioxidant capacity and altering the expression of inflammation-related genes and selenotranscriptome in immune organs, and these response in spleen and thymus were discrepancies.

Compound bioengineering protein improves growth performance and intestinal health in broiler chickens under high-temperature conditions.

In recent years, more frequent and prolonged periods of high ambient temperature in summer compromised poultry production worldwide. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of compound bioengineering protein (CBP) on the growth performance and intestinal health of broilers under high ambient temperatures. A total of 400 one-day-old Arbor Acres birds were randomly distributed into five treatment groups: control group (CON) with basal diet, or a basal diet supplemented with CBP 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 mg/kg, respectively. The trial lasted 42 d, all birds were raised at normal ambient temperature for the first 21 d and then subjected to the artificial hyperthermal condition with the temperature at 32 ±â€…2 °C and relative humidity at 60 ±â€…5% during 22 to 42 d. Dietary CBP supplementation improved the growth performance and serum antioxidant capacity (total antioxidant capacity and total superoxide dismutase), and decreased serum cortisol, aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase of broilers. Dietary CBP inclusion enhanced intestinal barrier function by promoting intestinal morphology and reducing intestinal permeability (diamine oxidase), increased the intestinal antioxidant capacity by elevating glutathione peroxidase activity in the duodenum, reducing malondialdehyde content in the jejunum. Dietary CBP supplementation also alleviated intestinal inflammation by decreasing interleukin (IL)-6 content in the jejunum and ileum, promoting IL-10 levels in the ileum, down-regulating the mRNA abundance of intestinal inflammatory-related genes interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in the duodenum and up-regulating IL-10 in the jejunum. Additionally, CBP increased the population of total bacteria and Lactobacillus in cecal chyme. Collectively, dietary CBP inclusion exerts beneficial effects on the broilers, which are reflected by enhancing antioxidant capacity, promoting intestinal barrier function, ameliorating intestinal immune response, and regulating intestinal bacteria, thus improving the growth performance of broilers under high-temperature conditions. In general, 750 mg/kg CBP supplementation is more effective.

Extreme high ambient temperature in summer occurs frequently around the world, which causes severe economic losses in the broiler industry, and impairs food safety. Improving the high-temperature resistance of broilers is beneficial to the sustainable development of the broiler industry. Dietary supplementation of anti-stress additives is an effective way to prevent high-temperature stress in broilers. Antimicrobial peptides are excellent anti-stress additives that exhibit multiple biological functions, such as against microbial infection, improving antioxidant capacity and immune function, and perfecting the intestinal health of broilers. In the present study, we added the compound bioengineering protein (CBP) (two bioengineering proteins containing functional fragments of antimicrobial peptides) in diets to investigate the potential protective effects of CBP for broilers under high temperatures. Our present results indicate that dietary CBP supplementation enhances the growth performance of broilers exposed to high temperatures. This improvement is attributed to the increased antioxidant capacity, improved intestinal barrier function, ameliorated intestinal immune function, and improved intestinal bacteria. These results provide a theoretical foundation for CBP utilization in diets to ameliorate growth performance and intestinal health of broilers under high temperatures.

Selenomethionine alleviates environmental heat stress induced hepatic lipid accumulation and glycogen infiltration of broilers via maintaining mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis.

With the increasing of global mean surface air temperature, heat stress (HS) induced by extreme high temperature has become a key factor restricting the poultry industry. Liver is the main metabolic organ of broilers, HS induces liver damage and metabolic disorders, which impairs the health of broilers and affects food safety. As an essential trace element for animals, selenium (Se) involves in the formation of antioxidant system, and its biological functions are generally mediated by selenoproteins. However, the mechanism of Se against HS induced liver damage and metabolic disorders in broilers is inadequate. Therefore, we developed the chronic heat stress (CHS) broiler model and investigated the potential protection mechanism of organic Se (selenomethionine, SeMet) on CHS induced liver damage and metabolic disorders. In present study, CHS caused liver oxidative damage, and induced hepatic lipid accumulation and glycogen infiltration of broilers, which are accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Dietary SeMet supplementation increased the hepatic Se concentration and exhibited protective effects via promoting the expression of selenotranscriptome and several key selenoproteins (GPX4, TXNRD2, SELENOK, SELENOM, SELENOS, SELENOT, GPX1, DIO1, SELENOH, SELENOU and SELENOW). These key selenoproteins synergistically improved the antioxidant capacity, and mitigated the mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal mitochondrial TCA cycle and ER stress, thus recovered the hepatic triglyceride and glycogen concentration. What's more, SeMet supplementation suppressed lipid and glycogen biosynthesis and promoted lipid and glycogen breakdown in liver of broilers exposed to CHS though regulating the AMPK signals. Overall, our present study reveals a potential mechanism that Se alleviates environment HS induced liver damage and glycogen and lipid metabolism disorders in broilers, which provides a preventive and/or treatment measure for environment HS-dependent hepatic metabolic disorders in poultry industry.

Different Dietary Sources of Selenium Alleviate Hepatic Lipid Metabolism Disorder of Heat-Stressed Broilers by Relieving Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

As global warming continues, the phenomenon of heat stress (HS) in broilers occurs frequently. The alleviating effect of different selenium (Se) sources on HS-induced hepatic lipid metabolism disorders in broilers remains unclear. This study compared the protective effects of four Se sources (sodium selenite; selenium yeast; selenomethionine; nano-Se) on HS-induced hepatic lipid metabolism disorder and the corresponding response of selenotranscriptome in the liver of broilers. The results showed that HS-induced liver injury and hepatic lipid metabolism disorder, which were reflected in the increased activity of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), the increased concentration of triacylglycerol (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), the increased activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (DGAT) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), and the decreased activity of hepatic lipase (HL) in the liver. The hepatic lipid metabolism disorder was accompanied by the increased mRNA expression of lipid synthesis related-genes, the decreased expression of lipidolysis-related genes, and the increased expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress biomarkers (PERK, IRE1, ATF6, GRP78). The dietary supplementation of four Se sources exhibited similar protective effects. Four Se sources increased liver Se concentration and promoted the expression of selenotranscriptome and several key selenoproteins, enhanced liver antioxidant capacity and alleviated HS-induced ER stress, and thus resisted the hepatic lipid metabolism disorders of broilers exposed to HS. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of four Se sources (0.3 mg/kg) exhibited similar protective effects on HS-induced hepatic lipid metabolism disorders of broilers, and the protective effect is connected to the relieving of ER stress.

Taurine promotes muscle fiber type transformation through CaN/NFATc1 signaling in porcine myoblasts.

This study investigated the effect of taurine (TAU) on the muscle fiber type transformation in porcine myoblasts and its molecular mechanisms. The findings revealed that TAU augmented the protein expression of slow MyHC and the enzyme activities of oxidative metabolism markers like malate dehydrogenase and succinic dehydrogenase. Conversely, it curtailed the expression of fast MyHC and glycolytic metabolism enzyme activity of lactate dehydrogenase. Moreover, TAU elevated the expression of genes associated with oxidative fiber while diminishing the expression of those linked to glycolytic fibers, suggesting that TAU promoted the muscle fiber type transformation from glycolytic fiber to oxidative fiber. Additionally, TAU notably enhanced the expression of key molecules of calcineurin (CaN)/nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) signaling and the CaN activity in porcine myoblasts. However, CaN inhibitor cyclosporine A abolished these effects induced by TAU. Our results indicated that TAU regulated the muscle fiber type transformation from glycolytic to oxidative fiber by activation of CaN/NFATc1 signaling.

Dietary Betaine improves the intestinal health and growth performance of heat-stressed growing rabbits in summer.

The main objective of this study is to explore how various amounts of Bet affect growth performance, nutritional digestibility, and intestinal health of growing rabbits under high-temperature environment in summer. A total of 150 healthy 35-d-old weaned QiXing meat rabbits (Germany White rabbit × Sichuan White rabbit) were individually assigned to five treatments, each with 30 replicates and one rabbit per replicate. The control group was fed with basal diet, while the experimental group received a basal diet supplemented with 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g Bet/kg diet, respectively. During the whole experimental stage, all animals can eat and drink freely, and they were kept in the rabbit house with an average daily temperature of 30.11 ±â€…0.5 ℃ and a relative humidity of 71.02 ±â€…5.07%. The results showed that dietary supplementation with 1.5 g/kg Bet increased average daily gain and decreased feed to gain ratio from days 1 to 42 as compared to the control group (P < 0.05), adding 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g/kg Bet increased average daily gain and average daily feed intake from days 22 to 42 (P < 0.05), and increased the nutritional digestibility of acid detergent fiber (P < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary supplementation with 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g/kg Bet reduced d-lactate content and diamine oxidase activity in the serum (P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, supplementation of 0.75 and 1.5 g/kg Bet improved glutathione peroxidase activities in the duodenum and ileum, adding 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g/kg Bet decreased malonaldehyde content in the duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05). Moreover, the supplement of 1.5 and 2.0 g/kg Bet upregulated JAM-2 and IL-10 levels in the jejunum (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation with Bet in the diet improves the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health of growing rabbits under high-temperature environments, and the 1.5 g Bet/kg diet group has the best effect.

Due to the lack of functional sweat glands, rabbits find it difficult to release excess heat under high-temperature conditions, resulting in heat stress. This high-level temperature condition leads to substantial damage to growth performance and intestinal health resulting in significant financial losses for the meat rabbit industry. This study found that adding betaine (Bet) to the diet can improve the growth performance and intestinal barrier integrity of heat-stressed growing rabbits, which may be related to improving intestinal antioxidant capacity and immune status. 1.5 g Bet/kg diet group showed better effects than 0, 0.75, 1.0, and 2.0 g Bet/kg diet groups in improving growth performance and intestinal health of heat-stressed growing rabbits.

Dietary Taurine Supplementation Improves the Meat Quality, Muscle Fiber Type, and Mitochondrial Function of Finishing Pigs.

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with taurine (TAU) on the meat quality, muscle fiber type, and mitochondrial function of finishing pigs. The results demonstrated that TAU significantly increased the a* value while decreasing b*45 min, L*24 h, and drip loss24 h and drip loss48 h in the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle. Dietary supplemented with TAU reduced the content of lactate and the glycolytic potential (GP) in the LD muscle. Dietary supplemented with TAU enhanced the oxidative fiber-related gene expression as well as increased succinic dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase activities while reducing lactate dehydrogenase activity. Furthermore, dietary supplementation with TAU increased the contents of mtDNA and ATP and mitochondrial function-related gene expression. Moreover, TAU enhanced the mRNA expressions of calcineurin (CaN) and nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) and protein expressions of CNA and NFATc1. The results indicate that dietary TAU supplementation improves meat quality and mitochondrial biogenesis and function and promotes muscle fiber-type conversion from the glycolytic fiber to the oxidative fiber via the CaN/NFATc1 pathway.

Tryptophan alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury and inflammation by modulating necroptosis and pyroptosis signaling pathways in piglets.

The liver plays crucial roles in material metabolism and immune response. Bacterial endotoxin can cause various liver diseases, thereby causing significant economic losses to pig industry. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid in piglets. However, whether tryptophan can alleviate liver injury and inflammation by regulating necroptosis and pyroptosis has not been clarified. This study aimed to investigate whether dietary tryptophan can alleviate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in weaned piglets. 18 weaned piglets were randomly distributed to three treatments, each with 6 replicates: (1) control; (2) LPS-challenged control; (3) LPS + 0.2% tryptophan. After feeding with control or 0.2% tryptophan-supplemented diets for 35 d, pigs were intraperitoneally injected with saline or LPS (100 mg/kg body weight). At 4 h post-injection, blood samples and liver were collected. Results indicated that tryptophan reduced alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, decreased the mRNA expression and protein expression of 70-kDa heat shock proteins. Moreover, tryptophan increased the mRNA expression and protein expression of claudin-1, occludin and zonula occludens and decreased hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde contents, and increased catalase, glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase activities and proinflammatory cytokine levels in the liver. Meanwhile, tryptophan inhibited pyroptosis-related and necroptosis-related protein expression in liver. Collectively, tryptophan could relieve liver damage, increased the antioxidant capacity and reduced inflammation by inhibiting pyroptosis and necroptosis signaling pathways.

Dietary ethylenediamine dihydroiodide improves intestinal health in Cherry Valley ducks.

This study investigated the effect of ethylenediamine dihydroiodide (EDDI) on the growth performance, thyroid function, immune function, intestinal development, intestinal permeability, intestinal barrier functions and microbial characteristics of Cherry Valley ducks. The results showed that the addition of EDDI significantly increased body weight, average daily gain, serum level of lymphocytes, basophils, triiodothyronine, thyroxine and thyrotropin, villus height, and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, and significantly decreased crypt depth, diamine oxidase, serum D-Lactic acid of ducks (P < 0.05). EDDI also significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of zonula occludens-1, zonula occludens-2, zonula occludens-3, mucin 2, secretory immunoglobulin A, interleukin-10 and avian ß-defensin 2 in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA expression of occludin and interleukin-6 in the jejunum and ileum. Additionally, the addition of EDDI significantly increased cecal level of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid (P < 0.05). Cecal microbiome analysis indicated that the addition of EDDI significantly increased the relative abundance of these microorganisms that can produce short-chain fatty acids, mainly including Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Clostridiales and Lactobacillales, and decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria Deferribactere. Interestingly, triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels were highly positively correlated with the relative abundance of Actinobacteria. These results revealed that the addition of EDDI could promote the growth and development of meat ducks by improving their thyroid function, immune function, intestinal development and intestinal barrier functions of ducks.