Effect of dietary antioxidant supplementation on the oxidative status of plasma in broilers

In this study, the effect of dietary antioxidants on the plasma oxidative status of growing birds fed a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids was investigated. One‐day‐old broilers were fed for 42 days a diet containing 4% linseed oil and supplemented with single plant extracts rich in antioxidants (natural tocopherols, rosemary, grape seed, green tea, tomato) or a combination of some of these plant extracts, in two different total doses (100 and 200 mg product/kg feed). A diet with synthetic antioxidants with and without α‐tocopheryl acetate (200 mg/kg feed) were also included. The plasma oxidative status was evaluated measuring the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity. Lipid peroxidation was measured by thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS). No significant effect of the dietary treatments was observed for FRAP as well as for TBARS. However, diet affected GSH‐Px activity (p = 0.002) and a trend for an effect on SOD activity was observed (p = 0.084). A higher GSH‐Px activity was found for 200 mg/kg tomato extract and natural α‐tocopherol in relation to the corresponding 100 mg/kg treatment, and the lowest GSH‐Px activity was measured for the synthetic antioxidants treatment. The lowest and highest SOD activity were found for the 200. and 100 mg/kg treatment with tomato extract respectively. In conclusion, the oxidative status and lipid oxidation of plasma in broilers was not affected by feeding natural antioxidant extracts at the doses in the present study, but some changes in antioxidant enzyme activities were observed, of which the implication remains to be elucidated.     

Reduction of ammonia emission from growing pig rooms by feeding a lower protein diet supplemented with apple pomace

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of supplementing a reduced crude protein (CP) diet with apple pomace on the ammonia emissions from growing pig rooms. Four pigs (45 kg BW) each were assigned to one of two diets. Each group was housed in a separate room and fed a standard diet (CP 16.6%) or a low CP, amino acid‐supplemented diet (CP 9.1%) containing 23.1% of dried apple pomace for two 7‐day experimental periods. After the completion of the first period, the pigs were switched to the other diet. The daily ammonia emissions, measured for 3 days after a 4‐day adaptation period, were much lower for pigs fed the apple pomace‐supplemented diet than for pigs fed the standard diet (0.47 g/pig vs 7.30 g/pig, respectively). The daily nitrogen intake for the standard diet and the apple pomace‐supplemented diet was 58.1 and 35.5 g/pig, respectively. The pigs fed the apple pomace‐supplemented diet excreted more fecal nitrogen than pigs fed the standard diet (17.5 g/day vs 11.0 g/day, respectively), but urinary nitrogen excretion with the apple pomace‐supplemented diet was estimated to be 2.9 g/day, which was much lower than that for the standard diet (27.0 g/day). The addition of apple pomace to a reduced CP, amino acid‐supplemented diet reduces urinary nitrogen excretion and thereby ammonia emission.     

枯草芽孢杆菌B1对饲喂高脂饲粮小鼠抗氧化功能的影响

本试验旨在研究枯草芽孢杆菌B1对饲喂高脂饲粮小鼠抗氧化功能的影响。将45只体重相近[(35±1)g]的普通ICR小鼠随机分为对照组(基础饲粮)、高脂组(高脂饲粮)、试验组[添加质量分数为0.1%枯草芽孢杆菌B1的高脂饲粮],每组3个重复,每个重复5只,饲养30 d。观察枯草芽孢杆菌B1对高脂饲粮小鼠肠黏膜、肝脏和血清的抗氧化能力、氧化应激状态的影响。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,高脂组小鼠的肠黏膜总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)显著减少了28.34%(P<0.01),肝脏超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和硫氧还蛋白还原酶活性分别显著降低了22.91%(P<0.05)、37.35%(P<0.01)、47.47%(P<0.01)和36.42%(P<0.05);血清还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量、GSH-Px和抗超氧阴离子自由基(O2-.)活性分别显著下降了30.73%(P<0.01)、47.26%(P<0.01)和8.02%(P<0.01);肝脏8-羟基脱氧鸟苷(8-OhdG)含量显著增加了67.87%(P<0.01)。2)与高脂组相比,试验组小鼠的肠黏膜T-AOC显著增加了32.44%(P<0.05),肝脏GSH含量和CAT活性分别显著上升了38.27%(P<0.05)和53.01%(P<0.05);血清T-AOC、GSH含量、GSH-Px和抗O2-.活性分别显著提高了10.72%(P<0.05)、38.01%(P<0.05)、51.98%(P<0.01)和13.45%(P<0.01);肝脏丙二醛、8-OHdG含量和黄嘌呤氧化酶活性分别显著下降了16.01%(P<0.05)、37.52%(P<0.01)和16.25%(P<0.05)。由此可见,高脂饲粮降低了小鼠肠黏膜、肝脏和血清的抗氧化功能;添加枯草芽孢杆菌B1对饲喂高脂饲粮小鼠的抗氧化功能具有一定的增强作用,并能减少机体的氧化应激状态,较好地保护组织细胞,免受氧化损伤。     

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.     

大豆胰蛋白酶抑制因子对小鼠胰腺氧自由基水平的影响

为研究大豆胰蛋白酶抑制因子对小鼠胰腺氧自由基水平的影响,试验选用36只昆明种雄性小鼠,按体质量随机分为3组。第一组为对照纽,饲喂基础日粮;第二组为试验组,饲喂含有大豆胰蛋白酶抑制因子的基础日粮,第三组为抗氧化剂组,饲喂舍大豆胰蛋白酶抑制因子＋维生素C的日粮。试验期3周,空腹屠宰,眼球采血制备血清,迅速取出胰腺进行氧化和抗氧化指标检测。结果表明,大豆胰蛋白酶抑制因子能显著增加氧自由基水平。与对照组比较,试验组小鼠血清和胰腺的MDA（malondialdehyde,MDA）含量分别显著地增加了98．17％,185．58％,抗超氧阴离子自由基和抑制羟自由基能力被显著降低,TAOC、S013（superoxidedismutase）、CAT和GSH—Px活性被显著减少（P〈0．05）。添加维生素C后,氧化应激被减轻,但氧化指标仍高于对照组。上述结果表明,大豆胰蛋白酶抑制因子能够导致氧化和抗氧化不平衡,从而使其处于氧化应激状态。     

Effect of Dietary Grape Pomace on Growth Performance,Organ Index and Blood Biochemical Indexes in Sheep

This experiment was aimed to investigate the effect of grape pomace on growth performance,organ index and blood biochemical indexes in sheep.A total of 24 hybrid 5-month-old Dorper (♂)×Small Tail Han sheep (♀) F1 male lambs weighted at 25 kg were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 lambs per group.All these sheep were fed diets with the addition of grape pomace at 0,5%,10%,20% on a dry weight basis, respectively.The results showed that the ADG in group 10% was extremely significantly higher than that in group 0 and 5% (P<0.01),and the weights of liver and kidney in group 10% were notably higher than that in group 0 and 5% (P<0.05).The weights of large intestinein in group 10% and 20% were obviously higher than that in the other two groups (P<0.05).The weights of abomasum were extremely significantly increased in grape pomace supplemental groups (P<0.01).Grape pomace could significantly improve serum HDL-C,and it was the highest in group 10% (P<0.05).ALT and AST had the same variation trend,they were the lowest in group 5%,and the values in group 5% were significantly lower than that in group 0 and 20% (P<0.05).Compared with group 0,the serum CRE in group 5% was significantly decreased (P<0.05),while the serum T-AOC significantly improved (P<0.05).The CAT enzyme activity was highest in group 20%,it was higher than the other groups (P<0.05).In conclusion,adding grape pomace properly could improve ADG,promote development of liver,kidney and digestive organs,increas serum HDL-C level,and improv the level of serum antioxidant.Taking all factors into account,dietary supplementation with 10% of grape pomace was advisable.     

葡萄渣对羔羊生产性能、屠宰性能和养分消化代谢的影响

本试验采用单因子完全随机试验设计,选择60只3月龄左右杜寒F₁代公羔进行试验,测定不同水平葡萄渣对羔羊生产性能、屠宰性能和养分消化代谢的影响。本试验设4个饲粮处理组,每个处理15个重复,每个重复一只羊,Ⅰ为基础饲粮,Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ处理组为饲粮中分别含有8%,16%和24%的葡萄渣,缩合单宁(condensed tannins,CT)含量分别为0,1.5,3.0和4.5 g/kg。结果表明,Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组羔羊日采食量、日增重、胴体重、屠宰率和胴体脂肪含量都显著高于Ⅰ组(P＜0.05),N表观存留率极显著高于Ⅰ组(P＜0.01),但Ⅰ组羔羊的酸性洗涤纤维和N表观消化率显著高于Ⅳ组(P＜0.05);Ⅱ组羔羊的饲料转化率显著高于Ⅰ组(P＜0.05),净肉率极显著高于Ⅰ组(P＜0.01)。随着CT含量的增加,羔羊的N、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维表观消化率逐渐降低,N的表观存留率逐渐升高,综合考虑羔羊日增重、饲料转化率、屠宰性能和养分利用率等指标,饲粮中葡萄渣以8%~16%为宜。     

Effects of feeding polyphenol‐rich winery wastes on digestibility,nitrogen utilization,ruminal fermentation,antioxidant status and oxidative stress in wethers

Four wethers were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment to evaluate the availability of two types of winery wastes, winery sediment and grape pomace, as ruminant feeds possessing antioxidant activities. Each wether was assigned to one of the following four treatments: (i) 75 g/kg winery sediment (WS) on a dry matter (DM) basis; (ii) 166 g/kg DM winery grape pomace (WP); (iii) control diet (CD; 17 g/kg DM soybean meal);and (iv) only tall fescue hay (TFH; no additive). Winery sediment and grape pomace had high levels of polyphenols and of radical scavenging activities. Feeding with winery sediment and grape pomace did not negatively affect the intake, but it depressed crude protein (CP) digestibility compared with CD (P = 0.052 and P < 0.01 for WS and WP, respectively). Polyphenols in winery wastes decreased ruminal ammonia production (P = 0.089 and P < 0.05), likely due to their inhibitive effect on microbial activities in the rumen. The addition of winery sediment and grape pomace decreased urinary 8‐hydroxy‐2'‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG; an index of oxidative damages) excretion per day (P < 0.05 and P = 0.059). The results indicated that winery sediment and grape pomace could alter nitrogen metabolism and/or act as new antioxidants for ruminants.     

Effect of selenium and vitamin E on oxidative stress in lambs experimentally infected with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haemonchus contortus</Emphasis>

The objective of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress in lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and supplemented with selenium and vitamin E. Twenty male Corriedale lambs were divided into four experimental groups with five animals each: G1 consisted of animals infected and supplemented with 0.2 mg/kg of live weight (LW) sodium selenite by intramuscular injection (IM); G2 consisted of animals infected with larvae and supplemented with 0.2 mg/kg LW sodium selenite IM and 2000 IU per animal of Vitamin E IM; G3 consisted of animals infected with larvae and supplemented with 2000 IU per animal of Vitamin E IM; and G4 consisted of animals infected with larvae. The animals were infected orally with 500 H. contortus larvae (L3) every 48 hours for 20 days. For biochemical analyses and eggs per grams of feces (EPG) evaluation, blood and feces were both collected at zero (T0), 20 (T1), 40 (T2) and 60 (T3) days. The weight of the animals was also measured at these times. Lower TBARS values were observed in the supplemented animals compared to the control group. The groups supplemented with Selenium exhibited blood GSH-Px activity higher than that of non-supplemented animals. Supplementation with selenium provided greater antioxidant protection against oxidative stress generated from experimental infection of lambs with H. contortus.     

日粮中添加葡萄皮渣对绵羊生长性能、器官指数及血液生化指标的影响

本研究在绵羊日粮中添加一定量的葡萄皮渣,旨在研究其对绵羊生长性能、器官指数及血液生化指标的影响。试验选取24只5月龄、体重25 kg左右的杜泊羊×小尾寒羊杂交公羊,采用完全随机设计分为4组,每组6只,分别饲喂不同葡萄皮渣添加水平（0、5%、10%、20%）日粮。结果表明,10%添加组日增重（ADG）显著高于0、5%添加组（P<0.05）;10%添加组肝脏及肾脏重量显著高于0、5%添加组（P<0.05）;10%和20%添加组的大肠重量显著高于其他两组（P<0.05）;添加葡萄皮渣能极显著增加皱胃重量（P<0.01）。适量添加葡萄皮渣能显著提高绵羊血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）含量,其中以10%添加水平最高（P<0.05）;谷丙转氨酶（ALT）与谷草转氨酶（AST）变化趋势相同,均以5%添加组最低,显著低于0、20%添加组（P<0.05）;与未添加组相比,5%添加组绵羊血清肌酐（CRE）含量显著降低（P<0.05）,而总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）明显提高（P<0.05）;过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性以20%添加组最高,显著高于其他3组（P<0.05）。由以上结果可知,日粮中添加一定量的葡萄皮渣可提高绵羊日增重,促进肝脏、肾脏及消化器官的发育,增加血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量,提高血清抗氧化水平。综合各个指标,葡萄皮渣添加量以10%为宜。     

Effects of saturated and unsaturated fats with vitamin E supplementation on the antioxidant status of broiler chicken tissues

The influence of fish oil (highly unsaturated) and beef tallow (highly saturated) with vitamin E (100 IU/kg) supplementation on the antioxidant status of broiler chicken cockerels was investigated. Chicks were fed a control diet with no added fat, 40 g/kg each of fish oil and beef tallow diets, respectively, from 11 to 42 days of age. Tocopherol concentration and the rate of lipid peroxidation, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in liver, fatty acid composition of the liver lipids, blood serum total antioxidant status (TAS), and reduced glutathione (GSH) content were determined. Vitamin E supplementation of the diet increased liver alpha-tocopherol content in chicks regardless of the type of dietary fat. Fish oil diet resulted in higher liver TBARS value while beef tallow diet showed lower values compared to the control diet. Vitamin E supplementation reduced liver TBARS as well as serum GSH, and raised serum TAS for all diets. Serum GSH was the same for vitamin E supplemented diets regardless of the fat supplement. Fish oil diets resulted in a significant increase in hepatic lipid n-3 PUFA content. A significant positive correlation was found between liver TBARS and n-3 PUFA content. No relationships were established, however, between liver TBARS and n-6 PUFA or saturated fatty acids. The results suggest that feeding oils rich in n-3 PUFA increases tissue concentration of these fatty acids, consequently increasing tissue lipid peroxidation and reducing the antioxidative status of broiler chickens. Supplementing high levels of vitamin E with such oils may increase tissue oxidative stability. Serum TAS or GSH may be used as a measure of antioxidative status in chickens.     

Protein restriction in pregnant‐ and lactating rats‐induced oxidative stress and hypohomocysteinaemia in their offspring

Hyperhomocyteinaemia has been associated with pathological and stressful conditions and considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Maternal protein restriction during late pregnancy and postnatal period is a stressful state to their offspring which is associated with disruption of various physiological processes. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of maternal protein restriction during late pregnancy and early postnatal periods on systemic oxidative stress parameters and on homocysteine metabolism of their offspring. For this purpose, 12 female rats were divided into two groups: a control group (C) with free access to standard diet (20% protein) and a protein restricted group (PR) with free access to a low protein diet (7% protein) from the day 14 of pregnancy until day 14 after delivery. An increase of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substance levels (TBARS) in plasma (+40%, p < 0.01) and in liver (+37%, p < 0.001) with a concomitant decrease in the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) observed in undernourished pups suggest the possibility of oxidative stress. Moreover, no significant changes in total glutathione levels (tGSH) were also observed to be associated with a significant decrease in homocysteine concentrations (?35%; p < 0.001). In their mothers, an alteration of antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT and SOD) and slight increase of TBARS levels were observed. Whereas homocysteine and tGSH levels were unchanged in comparison with those fed ad libitum. These results suggested that PR diet given to mothers during late pregnancy and early postnatal periods induced oxidative stress and hypohomocysteinaemia in their offspring.     

Effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin C or vitamin E on cardiac lipid peroxidation and growth performance in broilers at risk of developing ascites syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To assess effects of high dietary amounts of vitamin C or vitamin E and oxidative stress on the heart and growth performance of broilers maintained at an altitude of 2,200 m above sea level. ANIMALS: 360 chicks (1-day-old broilers). PROCEDURE: Birds were randomly assigned to 3 groups (120 chicks/group). Each group of birds was fed a specific diet (control group, basal diet containing 12 mg of vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate)/kg of feed without additional ascorbic acid; vitamin E group, basal diet supplemented with 75 mg of vitamin E/kg of feed; and vitamin C group, basal diet supplemented with 400 mg of ascorbic acid/kg of feed) throughout the entire 7 weeks of the study. Feed consumption and body weight of chicks were recorded on a weekly basis. Nine randomly selected birds from each group were euthanatized each week. Remaining birds were euthanatized at the end of the study. Samples of cardiac tissues were obtained to measure thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an indicator of oxidative stress. RESULTS: Vitamin E-supplemented diets resulted in better growth performance, lower rates of feed conversion, and lower TBARS content. Vitamin C-supplemented diets resulted in lower feed consumption and lower rates of feed conversion. When used separately, neither of the vitamins had any effect on mortality attributable to ascites syndrome. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is recommended that diets supplemented with vitamin C, vitamin E, or both be fed to broilers maintained at an altitude of 2,200 m above sea level to improve growth performance.     

Variation in food selection among lambs: effects of basal diet and foods offered in a meal.

In studies of behavior and nutrition, we typically determine nutritional needs and formulate diets for the average member of the herd, not for specific individuals within a herd. Nevertheless, variation among individuals could affect productivity of the group if the diet diverges too much from what individuals at the extremes prefer to eat. Thus, it is important to determine the degree to which individuals within a group vary in their food preferences when offered alternatives. Our first objective was to determine the degree to which lambs differed in preference for foods high in energy (barley) or protein (alfalfa) (Exp. 1). When we offered lambs barley and alfalfa for ad libitum consumption for 25 d, individuals varied in the amounts of barley (range: 221 to 991 g/d) and alfalfa (range: 51 to 558 g/d) they consumed (P < .0001). At one extreme, individuals preferred a diet of 6% alfalfa and 94% barley; at the other extreme, individuals preferred a diet of 70% alfalfa and 30% barley. Our second objective was to determine whether lambs from Exp. 1 compensated, when fed a basal diet that was lower in alfalfa than they preferred, by ingesting foods higher in alfalfa when offered a meal (Exp. 2). Lambs were ranked according to the percentage of alfalfa (range from 6 to 70%) and barley (range from 94 to 30%) they ate during Exp. 1 and then assigned alternately to two treatments: 1) basal diet with similar proportions of alfalfa and barley consumed ad libitum (preferred diet) or 2) basal diet with 10% less alfalfa than consumed ad libitum (low-alfalfa diet). We then conducted three trials in which lambs fed the different basal diets were offered a meal for 15 min/d for 2 d of two foods that differed in barley and alfalfa. During Trial 1, when we offered barley and alfalfa, lambs in both groups preferred barley (138 g) to alfalfa (46 g) (P < .05). During Trial 2, when the test foods (barley and alfalfa) were diluted with grape pomace (20%), lambs fed the preferred basal diet ate more barley (116 vs 64 g) and less alfalfa (48 vs 87 g) than lambs fed the low-alfalfa basal diet (P < .05). During Trial 3, when we offered a food high in barley (80% barley and 20% pomace) and a food high in alfalfa (70% alfalfa, 14% cornstarch, and 16% pomace), lambs fed the preferred basal diet ate more of the high-barley food (124 vs 73 g) and less of the high-alfalfa food (45 vs 98 g) than lambs fed the low-alfalfa basal diet (P < .05). Collectively, these results illustrate that lambs varied greatly in their preferences for foods that differ in energy (barley) and protein (alfalfa), and that when their preferred basal diet was altered, lambs compensated by ingesting food that complemented their basal diet during a daily meal. The addition of grape pomace in Trials 2 and 3 reduced the protein content of the high-barley and high-alfalfa foods such that the high-barley food was only marginally adequate to meet needs compared with the high-alfalfa food. Lambs fed the low-alfalfa basal diet compensated by eating more of the high-alfalfa food than lambs fed the preferred basal diet.     

Supplemental methionine sources have a neutral impact on oxidative status in broiler chickens

To determine the effect of different dietary Met sources on oxidative status, male Cobb 500 broiler chickens were fed from day of hatch to 26 days of age (d26) a diet deficient in sulfur amino acids (control) or a diet containing 0.22% DL‐Met, 0.22% L‐Met or 0.31% Met precursor, DL‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐(methylthio) butanoic acid (DL‐HMTBA) to meet the Met + Cys requirements. Liver, breast muscle, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were collected at day 10 (d10) and d26 to assay markers of oxidative stress, including total glutathione (TGSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), reduced glutathione (rGSH), protein carbonyls, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP). In breast muscle, TGSH and rGSH were greater in L‐Met and DL‐HMTBA groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). An interaction of treatment and age was observed for TGSH in ileum (p = 0.01) and jejunum (p = 0.01), for GSSG in jejunum (p < 0.001), and for rGSH in ileum (p = 0.02). The ratios of rGSH to GSSG and GSSG to TGSH, which define oxidative status, were not affected by Met source. Protein carbonyls varied among groups in jejunum (p = 0.05) and breast muscle (p < 0.001), but were in the normal physiological range. No difference among treatment groups was observed for TBARS and FRAP in different tissues. Age effects were observed in all tissues for multiple oxidative stress markers. In conclusion, consuming different sources of supplementary Met did not alter the oxidative status in several tissues of broilers. Met + Cys deficiency did not compromise antioxidant capacity of chickens although growth was retarded.     

Dietary supplementation with carnosine improves antioxidant capacity and meat quality of finishing pigs

This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary carnosine (β‐alanyl‐l ‐histidine) supplementation on antioxidant capacity and meat quality of pigs. 72 pigs approximately 60 kg were fed a corn‐ and soybean meal‐based diet supplemented with 0, 25, 50 or 100 mg carnosine per kg diet for 8 weeks. Carnosine supplementation did not affect growth performance and carcass traits of pigs. However, the addition of 100 mg carnosine per kg diet increased pH value of muscle at 45 min, 24 h and 48 h postmortem. It also decreased drip loss at 48 h postmortem and increased redness value of muscle at 45 min postmortem (p < 0.05). The addition of 100 mg carnosine per kg diet enhanced glycogen concentration and Ca‐ATPase activity at 24 and 48 h postmortem, and reduced malondialdehyde and carbonyl protein complexes concentrations in muscle at 24 h postmortem (p < 0.05). The addition of 100 mg carnosine per kg diet increased glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in plasma, liver or muscle, as well as SOD and GSH‐Px genes expression in muscle (p < 0.05). Taken together, these findings indicate that carnosine supplementation improves antioxidant capacity and meat quality of pigs.     

Protective effects of polyphenol‐rich blackcurrant preparation on biochemical and metabolic biomarkers of rats fed a diet high in fructose

The purpose of the study was to compare in vivo effects of dietary supplementation with blackcurrant pomaces containing variable level of phenolic compounds on blood and internal organ parameters in rats. Forty‐eight growing Wistar rats were allocated to six treatment groups in which they were fed ad libitum for 4 weeks the following diets: standard chow (group S), high‐fructose diet (group F), standard chow supplemented with 7.7% of either rich in polyphenols unprocessed blackcurrant pomace (UB) or polyphenol‐deprived processed pomace (PB) (groups SUB and SPB respectively), and high‐fructose diet with 7.7% of either UB or PB (groups FUB and FPB respectively). Blackcurrant pomace, irrespective of its phenolic content, selectively modulated the enzymatic activity of the colon microflora, reducing the activity of enzymes with potentially harmful properties and promoting activities of enzymes that might increase the use of carbohydrates that escaped digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Although both pomaces increased antioxidant status of the liver and blood serum, the unprocessed pomace showed a greater ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation in heart and kidney than the pomace that was less abundant in polyphenols. Both of the examined pomaces had a positive influence on serum lipid profile, but better hypocholesterolemic effect was observed after supplementation of the diet with unprocessed preparation. The biochemical action of unprocessed pomace in the normalization of fructose‐induced disturbances was more distinct than those of pomace remaining after extraction.     

Rearing conditions affected responses of weaned pigs to organic acids showing a positive effect on digestibility,microflora and immunity

Three experiments were conducted to assess the response of weaned pigs to organic acid SF3, which contains 34% calcium formate, 16% calcium lactate, 7% citric acid and 13% medium chain fatty acids. Dietary treatments had no effect on growth performance of piglets (21‐day weaning) fed the commercial prestart diet for 1 week before receiving the experimental diets supplemented with SF3 at 0, 3 or 5 g/kg diet (Exp. 1), whereas diarrhea frequency averaged across a week was decreased by SF3 supplementation (5 g/kg diet) in piglets fed the experimental diets immediately after weaning (Exp. 2). In Exp. 3, piglets (28‐day weaning) were fed the control (containing pure colistin sulfate and enramycin, respectively, at 20 mg/kg diet) for 1 week and then were fed the control or SF3‐supplemented (5 g/kg diet) diet for 2 weeks. The SF3‐fed piglets had greater apparent ileal digestibility of calcium and dry matter, while also demonstrating greater overall gross energy, up‐regulated jejunal expression of sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐1 and transforming growth factor‐β, down‐regulated jejunal expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, higher ileal Lactobacillus, with lower total bacteria content, lower plasma TNF‐α but higher IgG levels than the control‐fed piglets. Collectively, SF3 consumption improved diarrhea resistance of weaned pigs by improving nutrient digestibility, piglet immunity and intestinal bacteria profile. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

The effect of dietary Chlorella vulgaris inclusion on goat's milk chemical composition,fatty acids profile and enzymes activities related to oxidation

The impact of dietary supplementation with microalgae on goat's milk chemical composition, fatty acids (FA) profile and enzymes activities related to antioxidant mechanism has not been well documented. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of Chlorella vulgaris on the following: (i) milk yield, chemical composition and FA profile, (ii) the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) in blood plasma and (iii) the activities of SOD, GR and lactoperoxidase (LPO) in milk of goats. Furthermore, the oxidative stress indicators for measuring total antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity [ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and 2, 2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assays] and oxidative stress biomarkers [malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyls (PC)] were also determined in blood plasma and milk of the animals. For this purpose, 16 cross‐bred goats were divided into two homogenous groups. Each goat of both groups was fed individually with alfalfa hay and concentrates separately. The concentrates of the control group (Control) had no microalgae, while those of the Chlorella group were supplemented with 10 g lyophilized Chlorella vulgaris/kg concentrates (Chlorella). Thus, the average intake was 5.15 g Chlorella vulgaris/kg DM. The results showed that the dietary inclusion of Chlorella vulgaris had not noticeable impact on goat's milk yield, chemical composition and FA profile. Significantly higher SOD (by 10.31%) and CAT (by 18.66%) activities in the blood plasma of goats fed with Chlorella vulgaris compared with the control were found. Moreover, the dietary supplementation with Chlorella vulgaris caused a significant increase in SOD (by 68.84%) activity and a reduction in PC (by 24.07%) content in goat's milk. In conclusion, the Chlorella vulgaris inclusion in goat's diets improved the antioxidant status of both animals and milk.     

Effect of mercury chloride on oxidative stress and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 signalling molecule in liver and kidney of laying hens

This study investigated the effects of mercury chloride (HgCl₂) on the deposition of mercury (Hg), histopathology and oxidative stress in liver and kidney of laying hens. The gene expressions of antioxidant enzymes and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)‐Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Keap1) were further studied to uncover the molecular mechanism. A total of 960 40‐week‐old Hyline brown laying hens were randomly allocated to five treatments with eight pens per treatment and 24 hens per pen. The hens were fed with five experimental diets containing graded levels of Hg at 0.270, 1.250, 3.315, 9.405 and 27.230 mg/kg respectively. Results revealed that both deposition of Hg and score of injury in liver and kidney were significantly increased as dietary Hg dosage up to 27.230 mg/kg diet. Deposition of Hg was positively related to score of injury in liver and kidney of laying hens. Besides, the activities of superoxidative dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), and glutathione (GSH) content all significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while malondialdehyde (MDA) content significantly increased (p < 0.05) after Hg exposure in liver and kidney of laying hens. In addition, positive relationships occurred between antioxidant enzyme activities and antioxidant enzyme gene expressions except between SOD activity and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene expression in liver. Meanwhile, Nrf2 gene expression was positively related to antioxidant gene expressions and negatively connected with Keap1 gene expression. Negative relationships occurred between Nrf2 and Keap1 protein levels in liver and kidney. In conclusion, Hg could dose‐dependently damage liver and kidney and induced hepatic and renal oxidative stress by means of suppressing Nrf2‐Keap1 signalling molecule in laying hens.