Search Results (89)

Chronic cyclic heat stress impairs thermoregulation, growth, tissue integrity, microbial metabolism, and stress-related molecular responses in broiler chickens. N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a cysteine donor involved in glutathione synthesis, has been proposed as a nutritional strategy to support stress adaptation. Therefore, this study evaluated NAC in 324 Ross 308 broilers allocated to thermoneutral conditions (TN, 7 pens), HS (HS, 10 pens), or HS plus 2000 mg/kg NAC (HS + NAC, 10 pens). From day 20 to 35, HS birds were exposed to 34 °C for 7 h/day and 26 °C otherwise, while TN birds were kept at 22 °C. Heat stress increased rectal temperature and respiratory rate (p < 0.001), reduced average daily gain, and increased drinking and gasping behavior (p < 0.05). Heat stress also increased hepatic cord disorganization, cerebral vacuolisation–necrocytosis, hepatic and cerebral HSP70 expression, and caecal propionate, while reducing cerebral apelin expression (p < 0.05). Jejunal villus morphology and microbiota α-diversity were unchanged, although caecal profiles indicated treatment-related shifts and potentially higher Bilophila spp. in heat-stressed birds. NAC did not improve growth, thermoregulation, oxidative status, caecal fermentation, microbial structure, or HSP70 expression. It increased jejunal villus fusion and hepatocellular vacuolation scores and reduced cerebral ghrelin expression (p < 0.05). In conclusion, heat stress impaired growth and induced tissue, microbial, fermentative, and cerebral gene-expression changes, whereas 2000 mg/kg NAC did not provide measurable protection under the chronic cyclic HS in the present study. Full article

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease is a complex intestinal inflammatory disorder linked to immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, and an imbalance in the gut microbiota. Grape seed flour (GSF), a winemaking by-product rich in polyphenols and fibres, displays antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may help maintain gut homeostasis. Methods: The phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of our GSF were evaluated. We assessed whether a diet containing 10% (w/w) GSF protects against dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis in BALB/c mice. Animals received either a standard diet or a GSF-supplemented diet before and during DSS exposure. Body weight and disease activity index were monitored. At sacrifice, colon length and colonic histology scoring were measured. The study of the faecal microbiota and predicted genome was performed using PICRUSt. Caecal metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, were also quantified. Results: GSF is rich in fibres (64%) and exhibits a very high polyphenolic content and high antioxidant capacity. GSF supplementation attenuated DSS-induced weight loss and disease activity and limited colonic shortening and histological damage. It also improved biomarkers of colon, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), and liver injury. At the molecular level, GSF downregulated key pro-inflammatory mediators in the colon and liver, while enhancing anti-inflammatory (e.g., IL-10) and antioxidant markers, indicating reinforcement of regulatory and redox-protective pathways along the gut–liver axis. At the gut microbiota level, GSF supplementation modulated α-diversity. Further analysis demonstrated that GSF reshaped the GM profile by preventing the blooming of some taxa, including UBA1819, Akkermansia, and Bacteroides caecimuris, and enriching butyrate-producing bacteria, such as Muribaculaceae and Ruminococcus. These shifts were accompanied by lower acetone and ethyl acetate levels and higher indole levels, which are known to support epithelial barrier integrity and mucosal homeostasis. Conclusions: Overall, GSF mitigates DSS-induced colitis through combined actions on inflammatory signalling, oxidative stress, immune regulation, microbiota composition and microbiota-derived metabolites, supporting its potential as a functional prebiotic ingredient for intestinal health. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with 5% Zanthoxylumbungeanum leaf (ZBL) on growth performance, slaughter traits, meat quality, caecal microbiota, serum metabolome, and muscle transcriptome in rabbits. A total of 108 male New Zealand rabbits (60 days old) were randomly assigned to two groups (nine replicates/group; six rabbits/replicate) and fed either a basal diet (CON) or a diet in which 5% wheat bran was replaced with 5% ZBL for four weeks. Growth and slaughter performance did not differ (p > 0.05). ZBL reduced drip loss and cooking loss, enhanced antioxidant capacity, reduced specific saturated (C16:0), and unsaturated (C18:1 n-9 cis) fatty acids in leg muscle (p < 0.05), and the nutritional significance of these fatty acid changes remains unclear. ZBL also altered the levels of several volatile and non-volatile compounds in serum and muscle. It increased caecal abundance of norank_f_Lachnospiraceae and Anaerofilum, elevated serum metabolites (oleuropein, 3-coumaric acid), and upregulated meat quality-related genes (NR3C2, PDZRN3) in leg muscle (p < 0.05). Correlation analyses revealed that the observed changes in meat quality were closely associated with alterations in gut microbiota, serum metabolome, and muscle transcriptome. These findings suggest that dietary 5% ZBL does not compromise growth performance and is associated with changes in rabbit meat quality, which is associated with coordinated alterations in the gut microbiota, serum metabolome, and muscle transcriptome. Full article

The impact of dietary inert digestibility markers on gut microbiota and intestinal fermentation remains poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of dietary titanium dioxide (TiO₂) supplementation at 4 kg/t feed, representing a typical dose used in animal nutrition studies, on fermentation dynamics and microbial composition in broiler chickens using combined ex vivo and in vivo approaches. Ex vivo fermentations were conducted using ileal and caecal microbiota and substrates collected from 32-day-old broiler chickens. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) was supplemented directly to the fermentations, and gas production and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles were used as the main outcome measures. In parallel, 392 broiler chickens were fed diets with or without TiO₂ for 32 days, and ileal and caecal digesta were analysed for fermentation end-products and microbial composition using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. A second ex vivo experiment was performed using microbiota adapted to dietary TiO₂. In the first ex vivo model, TiO₂ reduced gas production and acetic acid concentration in the ileum (p < 0.05), whereas in the caecum it increased gas production, total eubacterial counts, and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) (p < 0.05). In vivo, TiO₂ did not affect growth performance or organ development but significantly increased isobutyric acid and total BCFA concentrations in the caecum (p < 0.05). Metagenomic analysis revealed increased caecal alpha diversity (Shannon index) and enrichment of taxa associated with amino acid metabolism, including Massilicoli timonensis, Blautia merdavium, Rubneribacter badeniensis, and Mediterraneibacter caccavium. The second ex vivo experiment showed similar trends, with increased gas and BCFA production. Collectively, these findings indicate that TiO₂ can modulate intestinal fermentation and microbial composition in a segment-specific manner, suggesting that dietary markers may not be biologically inert. Full article

The effects of substituting soybean meal with black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal on the growth performance, immunological response, intestinal morphology, and gut microbiota of Pekin ducks were assessed. A total of 150 one-day-old Pekin ducks were randomly allocated to three isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets: a control diet (0% BSFL), and diets including 10% or 30% BSFL meal (T10 and T30, respectively). Over 42 days, growth metrics, organ indices, serum and jejunal immune parameters, intestinal morphology, and caecal microbiota composition were evaluated. Ducks fed BSFL-containing diets exhibited a significant increase in spleen index compared to the control group (0.06% ± 0.02% for T10 and T30 vs. 0.05% ± 0.01% for control, p < 0.05), while other organ indices and growth performance remained unaffected. Serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, sIgA), cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2), and complements (C3, C4) were significantly elevated in both BSFL groups (p < 0.05). Jejunal immune indices, including IgG, IgM, IL-2, and C3, were also significantly higher in the T10 group (p < 0.05). Intestinal morphology showed a significantly increased villus-to-crypt ratio in the duodenum and jejunum (p < 0.05). Analysis of gut microbiota indicated that BSFL supplementation was associated with changes in caecal microbial composition, including a lower relative abundance of Proteobacteria. However, alpha diversity indices did not differ significantly among groups. These findings suggest that BSFL meal can replace soybean meal at inclusion levels up to 30% in Pekin duck diets without adversely affecting growth performance, while enhancing select immune parameters and modulating gut microbiota composition. Full article

Campylobacter (C.) jejuni and C. coli are common zoonotic bacteria in pigs, which typically act as asymptomatic carriers. However, the effects of Campylobacter colonisation on the porcine intestinal microbiota and metabolome remain poorly understood. This study investigated microbiome and metabolome alterations associated with co-colonisation by C. jejuni and C. coli in the different intestinal segments of pigs. Thirty-two weaned piglets were assigned to a control group and a group inoculated with C. coli ST5777/CT828 and C. jejuni ST122/CT206. Four weeks post inoculation, jejunal and caecal contents were analysed for Campylobacter counts, metabolite profiles and microbial composition. All animals remained clinically healthy. Both Campylobacter species colonised the jejunum and caecum, with higher C. coli counts in the caecum. Campylobacter-colonised pigs showed significantly altered metabolite profiles, including reduced cysteine and urea and increased glycine in the jejunum, as well as elevated 3-hydroxybutyrate levels in the caecum. In contrast, short-chain fatty acid concentrations in the caecum were unaffected by infection. Microbiota analysis revealed a significant reduction in caecal alpha diversity, whereas jejunal diversity remained unchanged. Infected pigs exhibited increased relative abundances of Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae and a decreased abundance of Pseudomonadota, including Enterobacteriaceae. In conclusion, Campylobacter co-colonisation induces distinct microbiome and metabolome alterations in pigs despite the absence of clinical disease. These findings highlight complex host-microbiota–pathogen interactions that may be relevant for future Campylobacter control strategies in pig production. Full article

Differences in the gut microbiota are directly reflected in lung–gut axis crosstalk, which may increase susceptibility to pulmonary infections, such as those caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Deficiency of the cytokine IL-10 leads to gut inflammation, and this pro-inflammatory environment is partly due to changes in the gut microbiota. To better understand the effects of IL-10 deficiency on the gut microbiota, the intestinal microbial composition of IL-10 KO mice was assessed, and an increase in the phyla Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria and a decrease in the phylum Firmicutes were observed in the faeces compared with the wild-type group (WT). Additionally, IL-10 KO mice had a higher pro-inflammatory immunostimulatory caecal content. Furthermore, it was found that heterologous faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) between groups reversed this gut imbalance. IL-10 KO mice showed greater susceptibility to acute pulmonary infection by P. aeruginosa, with a higher recovery of viable bacteria in the lung and spleen, greater tissue damage and increased expression of genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lungs. This greater susceptibility was reversed after FMT. Taken together, these results demonstrate the role of endogenous IL-10 in the gut microbiota constitution and its importance in the pulmonary immune response against P. aeruginosa infection. Full article

Dietary phytogenic additives and microalgae are increasingly investigated as natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in rabbit production due to their potential effects on gut health and nutrient utilisation. This study evaluated the nutraceutical potential of Chlorella vulgaris and Laurus nobilis as plant-based additives for growing New Zealand White rabbits. A 45-day feeding trial was conducted using control and experimental diets enriched with 0.1% Chlorella and 0.1% Laurus. Productive performance, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemistry and faecal composition were monitored, and polyphenolic compounds were analysed in feed, blood, faeces and caecal microbiota using HPLC-DAD. Final body weight (3097 vs. 2909 g) and feed intake (142.7 vs. 145.0 g day⁻¹) did not differ significantly between treatments. However, crude protein digestibility was significantly lower in the supplemented group than in the control group (54.39–47.79% vs. 63.73–62.33%; p < 0.05). Faecal chemical composition differed significantly between groups, particularly for dry matter, which was higher in the supplemented group across sampling times. Polyphenols detected across biological matrices confirmed the bioavailability of selected phytochemicals, with ferulic acid showing the highest stability. Correlation analysis indicated shared metabolic or absorptive pathways among several compounds. Overall, low-dose supplementation with C. vulgaris and L. nobilis appears safe and may support improved digestive physiology and nutrient utilisation without compromising rabbit health. Further research with larger sample sizes and detailed microbiome profiling is needed to clarify metabolic interactions and long-term effects of these nutraceutical strategies. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which replacing soybean meal with different proportions of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae meal affects the antioxidant capacity, immune function, and intestinal health in Xichuan black-bone chickens. After feeding the diets with 0.0%, 3.9%, 7.8%, 11.7%, and 15.6% BSF powder for 56 days, twelve chickens were sampled from each group. The optimal addition group was determined. Compared with the control group, adding 11.7% BSF significantly increased serum T-AOC, SOD, IgA, IgM, IL-4, and IL-10 concentrations, while markedly reducing IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 (p < 0.05) and improving spleen morphology. Adding 11.7% BSF significantly increased the duodenal villus-to-crypt ratio (V/C) and markedly elevated the ileal V/C (p < 0.05), and it significantly increased gene expression levels of duodenal Claudin-1, Occludin, and E-cadherin, jejunal Claudin-1, and ileal Claudin-1, Occludin, and E-cadherin (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the 11.7% addition group exhibited significant alterations in caecal microbiota composition (p < 0.05), with 10 distinct bacterial genera identified at the genus level. A total of 424 differentially expressed metabolites were identified. Correlation analyses revealed that adding 11.7% BSF may enhance immune function by regulating intestinal metabolites such as isovaleric acid, inosine, and tazarotenic acid via Akkermansia, Sphaerochaeta, and Blautia in the cecum. It may also improve gut health by modulating inosine through Sphaerochaeta and Blautia. This trial provides feasibility evidence for substituting soybean meal with BSF meal, offering scientific support for sustainable development in animal husbandry. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) are increasingly explored as food and feed additives, there is still limited evidence on how the commonly consumed dietary fibre matrix modulates their effects on the gut microbiota. This study evaluated whether different dietary fibres (cellulose, pectin, inulin, psyllium) modulate Cu-NP–driven changes in caecal microbiota activity, composition, and bile acid metabolism in rats in a multifactorial design accounting for fibre type, copper dose, and copper form. Methods: Wistar male rats (n = 10 per group, 10 groups) were fed semi-purified diets for 6 weeks. Cu-NPs were provided at 6.5 or 13 mg Cu/kg diet and combined with cellulose (control fibre) or with pectin, inulin, or psyllium. Caecal digesta parameters, microbial enzyme activities, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids, and 16S rRNA sequencing were used to assess microbial diversity. Results: Final body weight did not differ among groups, whereas feed intake decreased most consistently with inulin and psyllium. Inulin and psyllium increased caecal digesta and tissue mass, while pectin increased caecal ammonia. Higher Cu-NPs dose reduced several microbial enzyme activities and lowered major SCFAs across most treatments; pectin most strongly preserved/enhanced glycosidase activities and was associated with increased SCFA levels vs. control, with a 32% rise in acetate, a 47% rise in propionate, and a 61% rise in butyrate. Fibre type dominated bile acid outcomes: psyllium reduced total bile acids by 11.8% vs. control, while inulin increased muricholic acids by 216% vs. control. Microbiota alpha and beta diversity separated primarily by fibre type, with distinct clustering particularly in pectin-fed groups. Across comparisons, Mucispirillum was consistently reduced in fibre-supplemented groups vs. cellulose, alongside recurrent changes in selected genera; functional profiling highlighted shared shifts in carbohydrate, fermentation, transport, and stress-response features under Cu-NPs exposure. Conclusions: The gastrointestinal and microbiota responses to Cu-NPs are strongly fibre-dependent; thus, Cu-NP safety and functionality should be evaluated together with the accompanying dietary fibre matrix, not as a standalone exposure. Implications for humans remain indirect and require confirmation in human-relevant models and clinical settings. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a major global challenge that is exacerbated by extensive antibiotic use in livestock farming. Identifying effective alternatives to widely used human antibiotics in animal production is vital to safeguard vital human medicines and ensure sustainable food systems. Here we describe studies identifying nitroxoline (NTX) as a promising antimicrobial candidate for use in poultry production. Methods: The antibacterial activity and resistance potential of NTX were assessed in vitro. In vivo studies in chickens evaluated tolerance, therapeutic efficacy in Salmonella-infected birds, pharmacokinetics, tissue residue depletion, growth performance, and effects on caecal microbiota. NTX was administered in-feed at different dose levels. Pharmacokinetic parameters and withdrawal periods were determined, and caecal microbiota composition was analysed using ribosomal RNA 16S sequencing. Results: NTX exhibits potent broad-spectrum antibacterial activity in vitro and low levels of resistance. NTX is well-tolerated in chickens at 500 mg/kg in-feed for 7 days and substantially reduces liver bacterial loads at 100 mg/kg in Salmonella-infected chickens. Pharmacokinetic and residue analyses reveal NTX manifests rapid absorption and distribution, high oral bioavailability (86%), and efficient tissue clearance with a 17-day withdrawal period required for skin-plus-fat clearance. NTX supplementation is associated with increased weight gain and improved feed efficiency compared to the control group, with performance comparable to chlortetracycline. Microbiota analysis indicates modulation of caecal bacterial communities, including increased Faecalibacterium and Lactobacillus. Conclusions: These results indicate that NTX is a viable alternative to important human antibiotics widely deployed in poultry production, offering a potential approach to minimise antimicrobial resistance whilst maintaining animal health and food biosafety. Full article

Improving growth and health at weaning remains a priority in pig production. This study investigates whether supplementation with galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs) followed by xylo-oligosaccharides (XOSs) improves performance and gut health of healthy 28-day old weaning piglets. Pigs received either a control basal (CON) diet, the CON diet containing 1% GOS for 7 days followed by the CON diet containing 0.017% XOS for 47 days (GXOS), or the CON diet for 7 days followed by the CON diet containing 0.017% XOS for 47 days (XOS). Body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio did not differ between diets from day 1 of weaning (d1) to d54. At d7, GXOS pigs showed increased jejunal and caecal α-diversity (Shannon, inverse Simpson), distinct ileal β-diversity (Yu and Clayton, Bray–Curtis, Jaccard), and greater short-chain fatty acid-producing Lactobacillus and Veillonella; no taxa remained differentially abundant by d22, and the XOS group showed no microbiota shifts throughout the study. Jejunal goblet cell density was lower in GXOS pigs at d7. Jejunal and caecal IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 gene expression was transiently greater at d7 in GXOS pigs, whereas by d22 cytokine/chemokine differences resolved, whilst intestinal alkaline phosphatase was upregulated in the ileum and caecum (XOS) and colon (GXOS and XOS). Sequential prebiotic switching and delayed XOS onset likely missed the immediate post-weaning window, during which the gut microbiota is most receptive to dietary modulation, consequently limiting potential performance gains; therefore, prebiotic timing, sequence, and duration are critical to achieving functional benefits at weaning. Full article

Artemisia argyi (A. argyi), a perennial herb with a thick and intense aroma, has traditionally been consumed for over a thousand years without any side effect in many parts of China and East Asia. However, a formal way of treatment in the food industry to prepare products for its safe use in the market has not been standardized. This study developed a safe and easy process to boil fresh and tender leaves of A. argyi in a 1% NaHCO₃ solution for 2 min, soak the product in cold water and dry it at or below 40 °C, which resulted in base materials for food usage. Nutritional profiling revealed that the boiled fresh and tender leaves of A. argyi (BAAQ) powder contained crude protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. In addition to improving the BAAQ powder’s organoleptic qualities, alkaline boiling and soaking processes significantly reduced some potentially harmful or irritating substances. The safety of BAAQ powder was evaluated using rats. It showed practically non-toxicity in acute oral toxicity test (LD₅₀ > 7.5 g/kg BW). The treatment of BAAQ powder modulated the composition of the caecal microbiota in rats by enhancing beneficial taxonomic groups (Lactobacillus, Oscillibacter, and Ruminococcus) and inhibiting opportunistic pathogenic bacteria (Enterococcus and Staphylococcus). This study delineates the optimal harvesting season, edible portions of A. argyi, and processing techniques for its safe use. It ensures the safety of foods derived from BAAQ powder and initiates the industrialization of A. argyi foods. Full article

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most aggressive malignancies, with dismal survival rates. Cannabinoids have shown anticancer properties in various cancers, including PDAC. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer effects of cannabinoids, individually and in combination, and to elucidate their mechanisms of action in a murine PDAC model (KPC mice, KRASWT/G12D/TP53WT/R172H/Pdx1-Cre+/+) that mimics human disease. Additionally, the study explored the potential link between cannabinoid action, gut microbiota modulation, and bile acid (BA) metabolism. PDAC cell lines and KPC mice were treated with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), either as monotherapy or in combination. Faecal pellets, caecal contents, plasma, and tissues were collected at the survival endpoint for analysis. BA profiling was performed using mass spectrometry, and the faecal microbiota was characterised by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. While CBD and THC synergistically reduced cell viability in PDAC cell lines, only CBD monotherapy improved survival in KPC mice. Extended survival with CBD was accompanied by changes in gut microbiota composition and BA metabolism, suggesting a possible association. Notably, the effects of CBD were different from those observed with THC alone or in combination with CBD. The study highlights a distinct role for CBD in altering BA profiles, suggesting these changes may predict responses to cannabidiol in PDAC models. Furthermore, the findings propose that targeting BA metabolism could offer a novel therapeutic strategy for PDAC. Full article

Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is a potential substitute for antibiotic growth promoters in animal breeding. In this study, we investigated its effects as a dietary supplement on growth performance, serum antioxidant capacity, intestinal digestive enzyme activities, intestinal morphology, and caecal microbiota in meat rabbits. Weaned meat rabbits (n = 450) were randomly assigned to five groups, Groups A, B, C, D, and E, and fed 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg CA diets, respectively, for 47 days. Biological samples including serum (antioxidants), duodenal/caecal content (enzymes), intestinal tissue (morphology), and caecal digesta (microbiota) were collected at day 47 postweaning for analysis. Groups C and D showed significantly higher final body weights than Group A, with Group D (150 mg/kg CA) demonstrating superior growth performance including 11.73% longer duodenal villi (p < 0.05), 28.6% higher microbial diversity (p < 0.01), and 62% lower diarrhoea rate versus controls. Digestive enzyme activity as well as serum antioxidant capacity increased with increasing CA dose, Microbiota analysis revealed CA increased fibre-fermenting Oscillospiraceae (+38%, p < 0.01) while reducing Ruminococcaceae (−27%, p < 0.05). Thus, dietary CA supplementation at 150 mg/kg was identified as the optimal CA dose for improving meat rabbit production. These findings highlight CA as a functional feed additive for promoting sustainable rabbit production. Full article