Involvement of PKA signalling in anti‐inflammatory effects of chitosan oligosaccharides in IPEC‐J2 porcine epithelial cells

Weaning is characterized by intestinal inflammation, which is a big challenge in pig industry. Control of intestinal inflammation is important for improvement of growth performance and health. Therefore, the study was focused on the anti‐inflammatory activity of low‐molecular‐weight chitosan oligosaccharide (LCOS) in a porcine small intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC‐J2). The results showed that TNF‐α, as inflammation inducer, significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of IL‐8 and MCP‐1. Afterwards, LCOS significantly attenuated mRNA expression of IL‐8 and MCP‐1 induced by TNF‐α in the cells. Mannose (MAN), as ligand of mannose receptor, had no effect on the anti‐inflammatory activity of LCOS, which suggested that mannose receptor may not involve in the anti‐inflammatory activity of LCOS in IPEC‐J2 cells. Interestingly, N‐[2‐(p‐bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]‐5‐isoquinolinesulfonamide 2HCl hydrate (H89), as PKA (protein kinase A)‐specific inhibitor, reversed the mRNA expression of IL‐8 when co‐cultured with LCOS. Furthermore, LCOS concentration dependent downregulated the mRNA expression of claudin‐1 compared with TNF‐α treatment. However, the trans‐epithelial electric resistance (TEER) was not affected by LCOS when co‐cultured with TNF‐α in 3 hr. In conclusion, LCOS have a potent anti‐inflammatory activity, and as a feed additives, may be useful for the inhibition of inflammatory process in weaning period of pigs with intestinal inflammation occurring.     

Effect of nutrient intake on intramuscular glucose metabolism during the early growth stage in cross‐bred steers (Japanese Black male × Holstein female)

The objective was to investigate the impact of nutrient intake during the early growth period on the expression of glucose metabolism‐related genes in skeletal muscle of cross‐bred cattle. From 1.5 to 5 months of age, group H (n = 7) animals were intensively fed a high‐protein and low‐fat milk replacer [crude protein (CP) 28%; ether extracts (EE) 18%; max: 2.0 kg, 12 l/day], and group R (n = 7) animals were fed a restricted amount of normal milk replacer (CP 25%; EE 23%; max 0.5 kg, 4 l/day). From 6 to 10 months of age, group H cattle were fed a high‐nutrition total mixed ration mainly prepared from grain feed, and group R cattle were fed only roughage. Blood samples were taken from each animal at three biopsy times (1.5, 5 and 10 months of age), and the blood plasma concentration of glucose and insulin was analysed. In glucose concentration, there were no significant differences; however, the concentrations of insulin were higher in group H than in group R at 5 and 10 months of age. Muscle samples were taken by biopsy from longissimus thoracis muscle (LT) at 1.5, 5 and 10 months of age. We analysed mRNA expression levels using the quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for glucose transporters (GLUT1 and GLUT4), insulin receptor, phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI‐3K), protein kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt), hexokinase 1 (HK1) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). Although no differences were detected at 1.5 and 5 months of age, at 10 months of age, GLUT1, HK1 and TNFα mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in group H than in group R. These results suggested Glut1 that affects insulin‐independently mediated glucose uptake was more responsive to improved nutrition during early growth stage than GLUT4 that insulin‐dependently mediated glucose uptake in LT of cattle.     

Rno‐miR‐425‐5p targets the DLST and SLC16A1 genes to reduce liver damage caused by excessive energy mobilization under cold stress

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of single‐stranded non‐coding small RNA molecules, which participate in the regulation of many physiological processes, and play a crucial role in cancer, metabolism and other processes. Rno‐miR‐425‐5p has been shown to play a role in the response to cold stress. To explore the mechanism by which rno‐miR‐425‐5p regulates the response to cold stress, we analysed the candidate target genes of rno‐miR‐425‐5p. After verification in rat hepatocyte BRL cells and in rat liver tissue, we identified several target genes that were altered in expression in response to cold stress. In rat liver tissue, the expression of rno‐miR‐425‐5p was significantly increased and the expression levels of target genes DLST and SLC16A1 were decreased under cold stress. The miRNA and mRNA levels were analysed by quantitative real‐time PCR and the protein levels were detected by Western blot analysis. Combined with the results of bioinformatic analysis, we concluded that rno‐miR‐425‐5p reduced the expression of DLST and SLC16A1, inhibiting energy release from the tricarboxylic acid cycle and preventing the liver from being injured by excessive energy mobilization.     

Capsosiphon fulvescens extracts improve obesity‐associated metabolic disorders and hepatic steatosis in high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice

Herbal dietary supplements have attracted more and more attention owing to their relative effectiveness in obesity ‐related metabolic disorders and diseases. This study investigated the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Capsosiphon fulvescens (CF) extracts on obesity, their associated metabolic disorders and hepatic steatosis in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed with normal, HFD/Vehicle and HFD/CF (orally 300 mg/kg/day for CF). After 12 weeks, CF blocked HFD‐induced body weight, food intake, liver weight, hepatic triglyceride (TG), fat mass (weight of abdominal subcutaneous fat and epididymal adipose tissue) and biochemical parameters (total cohlesterol, glucose, TG, creatinine, high‐density lipoproteins cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol) of serum. CF also had improved serum levels of adiponectin, leptin and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 in HFD/CF mice. Moreover, CF ameliorated the hepatic steatosis‐reducing size of white adipose tissue. These results indicate that CF have anti‐obesity effects and are effective for reducing metabolic risk and hepatic steatosis.     

Investigation of carryover effect of prior fibre consumption on growth,serum and tissue metabolic markers in Ossabaw pigs fed a high‐fat diet

Carryover effect of prior fibre consumption on metabolic markers was investigated. Treatments were arranged in 2 × 2 factorial with 2 fibre sources, 4% inulin or cellulose (Solka‐Floc®) and fat levels (5 or 15%) for the low‐fat diet (LFD) and high‐fat diet (HFD) respectively. Pigs were fed the two fibre diets for the first 56d (nursery phase), and thereafter fed either the LFD or HFD containing no added fibre source from d56 to 140 (growing phase). Pigs on the HFD were heavier (p = .05) than those on LF (64.61 vs. 68.38 kg), regardless of prior fibre type consumed. Pigs that were fed cellulose during the nursery and later fed the HFD had the highest ADG (p < .05). Feeding the HFD resulted in higher back fat (BF) (13.41 and 18.18 ± 0.12 mm for LFD and HFD, respectively; p < .01). The HFD resulted in higher (p < .01) insulin (0.014 and 0.016 ± 0.001 mg/L for LF and HF respectively) and glucose (100.89 and 125.03 ± 4.39 mg/dl for LF and HF respectively) concentrations in the serum. Inulin increased (p ≤ .02) jejunal expression of SREBP‐1c and CL‐4, but reduced (p < .05) TNFɑ and IL‐6 expression in the ileum. Alpha‐diversity was significantly different (p < .05) between the inulin and cellulose fed pigs at the end of the nursery and finishing phases. Therefore, inulin feeding before a HFD may lead to reduction in ADG and inflammatory markers in the small intestine of pigs, and thus prevent future metabolic disorders.     

Proinflammatory Cytokine and Chemokine Gene Expression Profiles in Subcutaneous and Visceral Adipose Tissue Depots of Insulin‐Resistant and Insulin‐Sensitive Light Breed Horses

Background: Insulin resistance has been associated with risk of laminitis in horses. Genes coding for proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines are expressed more in visceral adipose tissue than in subcutaneous adipose tissue of insulin‐resistant (IR) humans and rodents. Hypothesis/Objectives: To investigate adipose depot‐specific cytokine and chemokine gene expression in horses and its relationship to insulin sensitivity (SI). Animals: Eleven light breed mares. Methods: Animals were classified as IR (SI = 0.58 ± 0.31 × 10^?4 L/min/mU; n = 5) or insulin sensitive (IS; SI = 2.59 ± 1.21 × 10^?4 L/min/mU; n = 6) based on results of a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. Omental, retroperitoneal, and mesocolonic fat was collected by ventral midline celiotomy; incisional nuchal ligament and tail head adipose tissue biopsy specimens were collected concurrently. The expression of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) in each depot was measured by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed by 2‐way analysis of variance for repeated measures (P < .05). Results: No differences in TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, PAI‐1, or MCP‐1 mRNA concentrations were noted between IR and IS groups for each depot. Concentrations of mRNA coding for IL‐1β (P= .0005) and IL‐6 (P= .004) were significantly higher in nuchal ligament adipose tissue than in other depots. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These data suggest that the nuchal ligament depot has unique biological behavior in the horse and is more likely to adopt an inflammatory phenotype than other depots examined. Visceral fat may not contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity‐related disorders in the horse as in other species.     

Anti‐inflammatory effects of four potential anti‐endotoxaemic drugs assessed in vitro using equine whole blood assays

Despite the severity and common occurrence of equine endotoxaemia, the available anti‐endotoxic treatments do not effectively target key inflammatory mechanisms such as leucocyte activation and cytokine production. In this study, four compounds with potential anti‐endotoxic effects, namely rolipram, azithromycin, ethyl pyruvate and metformin, were investigated in vitro using equine whole blood stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide. TNF‐α and IL‐1β production were measured in plasma. Rolipram was the most potent inhibitor of cytokine production (IC₅₀ 0.84 and 4.68 μm for TNF‐α and IL‐1β, respectively) with almost complete inhibition of TNF‐α, but inhibited IL‐1β by only 39.46%. Azithromycin produced almost complete inhibition of both cytokines, but tended to be less potent than rolipram (IC₅₀ 10.66 and 17.4 μm for TNF‐α and IL‐1β, respectively). Metformin inhibited TNF‐α production with similar potency to rolipram and azithromycin (IC₅₀ 3.35 μm ) but showed significantly lower efficacy (45.93%; P < 0.05), and had no inhibitory effect on IL‐1β. Ethyl pyruvate was the least potent (IC₅₀ 68.35 μm and >10 mm for TNF‐α and IL‐1β production, respectively). Further work is required to investigate whether these or related compounds may have potential use in the treatment of equine endotoxaemia in vivo.     

Glucose transport and milk secretion during manipulated plasma insulin and glucose concentrations and during LPS‐induced mastitis in dairy cows

In dairy cows, glucose is essential as energy source and substrate for milk constituents. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of long‐term manipulated glucose and insulin concentrations in combination with a LPS‐induced mastitis on mRNA abundance of glucose transporters and factors involved in milk composition. Focusing on direct effects of insulin and glucose without influence of periparturient endocrine adaptations, 18 dairy cows (28 ± 6 weeks of lactation) were randomly assigned to one of three infusion treatments for 56 h (six animals each). Treatments included a hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemic clamp (HypoG), a hyperinsulinemic euglycaemic clamp (EuG) and a control group (NaCl). After 48 h of infusions, an intramammary challenge with LPS from E. coli was performed and infusions continued for additional 8 h. Mammary gland biopsies were taken before, at 48 (before LPS challenge) and at 56 h (after LPS challenge) of infusion, and mRNA abundance of genes involved in mammary gland metabolism was measured by RT‐qPCR. During the 48 h of infusions, mRNA abundance of glucose transporters GLUT1, 3, 4, 8, 12, SGLT1, 2) was not affected in HypoG, while they were downregulated in EuG. The mRNA abundance of alpha‐lactalbumin, insulin‐induced gene 1, κ‐casein and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase was downregulated in HypoG, but not affected in EuG. Contrary during the intramammary LPS challenge, most of the glucose transporters were downregulated in NaCl and HypoG, but not in EuG. The mRNA abundance of glucose transporters in the mammary gland seems not to be affected by a shortage of glucose, while enzymes and milk constituents directly depending on glucose as a substrate are immediately downregulated. During LPS‐induced mastitis in combination with hypoglycaemia, mammary gland metabolism was more aligned to save glucose for the immune system compared to a situation without limited glucose availability during EuG.     

In ovo carbohydrate supplementation modulates growth and immunity‐related genes in broiler chickens

A study was undertaken to investigate the role of in ovo administrated carbohydrates on the expression pattern of growth and immune‐related genes. In ovo injections (n = 400) were carried out on the 14th day of incubation into the yolk sac/amnion of the broiler chicken embryos. Expression of growth‐related genes: chicken growth hormone (cGH), insulin‐like growth factor‐I & II (IGF‐I & II) and mucin were studied in hepatic and jejunum tissues of late‐term embryo and early post‐hatch chicks. Expression of candidate immune genes: Interleukin‐2, 6, 10 and 12 (IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐10 and IL‐12), Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and Interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) were studied in peripheral blood monocyte cells of in ovo‐injected and control birds following antigenic stimulation with sheep RBC (SRBC) or mitogen concanavalin A (Con‐A). Glucose injection significantly increased the expression of IGF‐II gene during embryonic period and both cGH and IGF‐II in early post‐hatch period, while ribose‐injected chicks had higher expression of IGF‐II gene during embryonic stage. Enhanced mucin gene expression was also observed in fructose‐injected chicks during embryonic age. Glucose‐injected chicks had higher expression of IL‐6 or IL‐10, while those injected with fructose or ribose had higher expression of IL‐2, IL‐12 and IFN gamma. It is concluded that in ovo supplementation of carbohydrates might help in improving the growth of late‐term embryos and chicks. In ovo glucose could modulate humoral‐related immunity, while fructose or ribose might help in improving the cellular immunity in broiler chickens.     

Polysaccharides from Acanthopanax senticosus enhances intestinal integrity through inhibiting TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide‐challenged mice

To investigate the role of polysaccharide from Acanthopanax senticosus (ASPS) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced intestinal injury, mice in three treatments were administrated orally with or without ASPS (300 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days, followed by challenge with LPS or saline. At 4 h post‐injection, blood and intestinal samples of six mice / treatment were collected. The results showed ASPS ameliorated LPS‐induced intestinal morphological deterioration, proven by improved villus height (P < 0.05) and villus height : crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05). ASPS also elevated the mucosal barrier of LPS‐challenged mice, supported by reduced plasma diamine oxidase (DAO) activity (P < 0.05) and L‐lactate (P < 0.05), increased mucosal DAO activity (P < 0.05) as well as enhanced intestinal tight junction proteins expression involving occludin‐1 (P < 0.05) and zonula occludens‐1 (P < 0.05). In addition, ASPS decreased LPS‐induced secretion of inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α (P < 0.05) and prostaglandin E₂ (P < 0.05). Also, ASPS down‐regulated messenger RNA expression of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and its downstream signals, including myeloid differentiation factor 88 (P < 0.05), TNF‐α receptor‐associated factor 6 (P < 0.05), as well as nuclear factor (NF)‐κB p65 (P < 0.05) and its protein expression. These findings suggest that ASPS improves intestinal integrity under inflammation conditions connected with inhibiting TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathways.     

Gene expression of resistin and TNF-α in adipose tissue of Japanese Black steers and Holstein steers

The aim of the present study was to compare the expression of adipose tissue mRNA related to glucose metabolism between Japanese Black steers (n = 5) and Holstein steers (n = 5). We examined the expression of the resistin, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and growth hormone receptor (GHR) genes using real‐time polymerase chain reaction of cDNA in adipose tissue. The cDNA sequence identified by 5′/3′‐rapid amplification of cDNA and the deduced amino acid sequence were highly conserved in human, porcine and murine resistin. Expression of resistin mRNA was significantly greater in Holstein steers than in Japanese Black steers. In contrast, expression of TNF‐α mRNA was slightly greater in Japanese Black steers. Expression of GHR mRNA was significantly greater in Japanese Black steers compared with the Holstein steers, although there was no significant difference in the expression of GLUT1 mRNA. However, the plasma non‐esterified fatty acid (NEFA), glucose, insulin and growth hormone concentrations did not differ between Japanese Black and Holstein steers. The present results show that there is a difference in the expression level of mRNA related to glucose metabolism between Japanese Black steers and Holstein steers.     

Supplemental lipoic acid relieves post‐weaning diarrhoea by decreasing intestinal permeability in rats

Lipoic acid (LA) is a naturally existing substance which widely distributed in the cellular membranes and cytosol of animal cells. Its intracellular functions include quenching of free radicals and repairing oxidized proteins. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of LA on post‐weaning diarrhoea using a rat model. Sixty weaned rats were fed either a basal diet or a LA‐supplemented diet, or a zinc oxide (ZnO)‐supplemented diet as a positive control. Rats in the LA and ZnO groups had better performance and reduced incidence of diarrhoea (p < 0.05). Both LA and ZnO treatments enhanced intestinal homeostatic and architecture, significantly decreased urinary lactulose to mannitol ratios (p < 0.05) and increased the expression of the intestinal mucosal tight junction proteins occludin (OCLN) and zonula occludens protein‐1 (ZO‐1) (p < 0.05). LA significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced glutathione while decreasing the levels of oxidative glutathione and malondialdehyde in the intestinal mucosa (p < 0.05). Furthermore, an in vitro study indicated that supplementation with LA in IEC‐6 intestinal epithelial cells significantly enhanced the expression of OCLN and ZO‐1 under hydrogen peroxide‐induced oxidative stress. Collectively, these results suggest that LA relieves post‐weaning diarrhoea by reducing intestinal permeability and improving antioxidant indices.     

Obese mice on a high‐fat alternate‐day fasting regimen lose weight and improve glucose tolerance

Alternate‐day fasting (ADF) causes body weight (BW) loss in humans and rodents. However, it is not clear that ADF while maintaining a high‐fat (HF) diet results in weight loss and the accompanying improvement in control of circulating glucose. We tested the hypotheses that a high‐fat ADF protocol in obese mice would result in (i) BW loss, (ii) improved glucose control, (iii) fluctuating phenotypes on ‘fasted’ days when compared to ‘fed’ days and (iv) induction of torpor on ‘fasted days’. We evaluated the physiological effects of ADF in diet‐induced obese mice for BW, heart rate (HR), body temperature (T_b), glucose tolerance, insulin responsiveness, blood parameters (leptin, insulin, free fatty acids) and hepatic gene expression. Diet‐induced obese male C57BL/6J mice lost one‐third of their pre‐diet BW while on an ADF diet for 10 weeks consisting of HF food. The ADF protocol improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, although mice on a fast day were less glucose tolerant than the same mice on a fed day. ADF mice on a fast day had low circulating insulin, but had an enhanced response to an insulin‐assisted glucose tolerance test, suggesting the impaired glucose tolerance may be a result of insufficient insulin production. On fed days, ADF mice were the warmest, had a high HR and displayed hepatic gene expression and circulating leptin that closely mimicked that of mice fed an ad lib HF diet. ADF mice never entered torpor as assessed by HR and T_b. However, on fast days, they were the coolest, had the slowest HR, and displayed hepatic gene expression and circulating leptin that closely mimicked that of Chow‐Fed mice. Collectively, the ADF regimen with a HF diet in obese mice results in weight loss, improved blood glucose control, and daily fluctuations in selected physiological and biochemical parameters in the mouse.     

Effects at early stage of life of elevated milk replacer feeding on growth rate,plasma IGF‐I concentration and intestinal nutrient transporter expression in Holstein bull calves

In order to evaluate the effects of an elevated amount of modified milk replacer on body weight, daily gain, starter intake, plasma endocrine parameters and expression of nutrient transporters in small intestinal epithelia, Holstein bull calves (n = 24) were fed for 60 days either with the usual amount of 24% crude protein (CP) and 20% fat milk (CF) replacer (C group), or with a double amount of a modified milk replacer of 28% CP and 16% CF (E group). Body weight from D20 to D60 and daily gain before D40 was greater or tended to be greater for the E group than the C group. Plasma concentrations of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐I) and insulin were greater for the E group than the C group on D28 but not on D56, without changing plasma growth hormone levels. Gene expression for sodium‐dependent glucose transporter 1 and fatty acid translocase (CD36) was altered in day‐ and intestine‐dependent manners. From these findings, we conclude that an elevated intake of milk replacer given up to 40 days old is sufficient to enhance body weight, which may be associated with increased plasma IGF‐I concentrations, in Holstein bulls.     

Animal‐Level Factors Affecting Ovarian Function in Bos indicus Heifers Treated to Synchronize Ovulation with Intravaginal Progesterone‐Releasing Devices and Oestradiol Benzoate

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of animal‐level factors including energy balance and environmental/management stress, on the ovarian function of Bos indicus heifers treated to synchronize ovulation. Two‐year‐old Brahman (BN) (n = 30) and BN‐cross (n = 34) heifers were randomly allocated to three intravaginal progesterone‐releasing device (IPRD) treatment groups: (i) standard‐dose IPRD [Cue‐Mate^® (CM) 1.56 g; n = 17]; (ii) half‐dose IPRD [0.78 g progesterone (P₄); CM 0.78 g; n = 15]; (iii) half‐dose IPRD + 300 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin at IPRD removal (CM 0.78 g + G; n = 14); (iv) and a control group, 2× PGF_2α [500 μg prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α)] on Day ?16 and ?2 (n = 18). Intravaginal progesterone‐releasing device‐treated heifers received 250 μg PGF_2α at IPRD insertion (Day ?10) and IPRD removal (Day ?2) and 1 mg oestradiol benzoate on Day ?10 and ?1. Heifers were managed in a small feedlot and fed a defined ration. Ovarian function was evaluated by ultrasonography and plasma P₄ throughout the synchronized and return cycles. Energy balance was evaluated using plasma insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐I) and glucose concentrations. The impact of environmental stressors was evaluated using plasma cortisol concentration. Heifers that had normal ovarian function had significantly higher IGF‐I concentrations at commencement of the experiment (p = 0.008) and significantly higher plasma glucose concentrations at Day ?2 (p = 0.040) and Day 4 (p = 0.043), than heifers with abnormal ovarian function. There was no difference between the mean pre‐ovulatory cortisol concentrations of heifers that ovulated or did not ovulate. However, heifers that ovulated had higher cortisol concentrations at Day 4 (p = 0.056) and 6 (p = 0.026) after ovulation than heifers that did not ovulate.     

The effect of Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate on small intestinal morphology,antioxidant capacity and anti‐inflammatory effect in heat‐stressed broilers

This study was to investigate the effects of Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) on intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity and anti‐inflammatory response in heat‐stressed broiler. A total of 192 2‐week‐old Arbour Acres broilers chickens were divided into four groups with six replicates per group and eight chickens per replicate: one thermoneutral control group (28°C, group TN), which was fed the basal diet; and three cyclic high‐temperature groups (35°C from 7:00 to 19:00 hr; 28°C from 19:00 hr to 7:00 hr, heat stress group), which were fed the basal diet supplementation with EGCG 0 mg/kg (group HS0), 300 mg/kg (group HS300) and 600 mg/kg (group HS600). The gut morphology and intestinal mucosal oxidative stress indicators, as well as intestinal barrier‐related gene expression, were analysed. The results showed that compared with group TN, heat stress reduced the villus height (VH), activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD)and catalase (CAT), increased the crypt depth (CD) and malondialdehyde (MDA)content at 21, 28 and 35 days (p < 0.05). After the heat‐stressed broilers were supplemented with EGCG, VH, VH/CD (V/C), and the activities of GSH‐Px, SOD and CAT were increased, and CD and MDA content were reduced compared with those in group HS0 without EGCG supplementation at 21, 28 and 35 days (p < 0.05). The EGCG supplementation promoted the gene expression of nuclear factor‐erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), Claudin‐1, Mucin 2 (Muc2) and alleviated the nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) and lipopolysaccharide‐induced tumour necrosis factor (LITAF) gene expression compared with group HS0 (p < 0.05). Moreover, intestinal morphology was strongly correlated with antioxidant ability and inflammatory response. In conclusion, EGCG alleviated the gut oxidative injury of heat‐stressed broilers by enhancing antioxidant capacity and inhibiting inflammatory response.     

An intrauterine catch‐up growth regimen increases food intake and post‐natal growth in rats

Nutritional conditions during the intrauterine stage are an important developmental programming factor that can affect the growth and metabolic status during foetal development and permanently alter the phenotypes of newborn offspring and adults. This study was performed to examine the effects of intrauterine catch‐up growth (IUCG) on food intake, post‐natal body growth and the metabolic status of offspring and growing rats. Control pregnant rats were fed ad libitum during the entire gestation period. For the IUCG regimen, pregnant rats were fed 50% of the food of the controls from pregnancy days 4 through 11 (8 days), followed by ad libitum feeding from pregnancy days 12 through parturition. The birth weight of offspring was not affected by the IUCG regimen. At weaning, offspring from each treatment group were assigned to two groups and given either a normal diet or high‐fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks until 103 days of age. In the normal diet group, the IUCG offspring showed a 9.0% increase (P < 0.05) in total food intake, were 11.2% heavier (p < 0.05) at 103 days of age and had an 11.0% greater (p < 0.05) daily weight gain compared with control offspring. The IUCG regimen did not affect body glucose and lipid metabolism. After exposure to the HFD, the IUCG regimen has not exacerbated metabolic disorders. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the IUCG nutritional regimen during pregnancy can increase the food intake and post‐natal body growth of offspring without inducing metabolic disorders such as obesity and insulin resistance. The IUCG nutritional regimen might be used to improve the food intake and post‐natal body growth of domestic animals.     

Effect of genistein on IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 in young and aged female rat ovary

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of genistein (GEN) on expression of insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP‐1) in young and aged rat ovary. Forty young female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (200 ± 20 g) and forty aged female SD rats (490 ± 20 g) were selected and according to weight, they were divided into the following five groups with eight animals in each: negative control group (NC), low‐dose group (L), middle‐dose group (M), high‐dose group (H) and positive control group (PC). GEN group received GEN of 15, 30, 60 mg/kg respectively. It lasted 30 days. Concentrations of serum hormones, IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gene and protein expressions of IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 were determined by real‐time PCR and Western blot respectively. Compared with NC, GEN significantly increased oestradiol‐17β(E₂) level in aged rat, reduced luteinizing hormone (LH) level in young and aged rat. Serum levels of IGFBP‐1 in young rats were significantly higher in GEN groups (p < 0.05). mRNA and protein expression levels of IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 were positively correlated with GEN dose. GEN could significantly reduce the ratio of IGF‐1/IGFBP‐1 of aged rats. Multivariate Cox regression analysis result showed IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 levels significantly correlated with GEN dose. We speculate that there is an association between the addition of GEN and expression of IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1, and the relationship between them is different in young and aged rat.