Evaluation of Ascorbic Acid or Curcumin Formulated in a Solid Dispersion on Salmonella Enteritidis Infection and Intestinal Integrity in Broiler Chickens.

Daniel Hernandez-Patlan,Abraham Mendez-Albores,Xochitl Hernandez-Velasco,Bruno Solis-Cruz,Juan D Latorre,Ruben Merino-Guzman,Raquel Lopez-Arellano,Karine P Pontin,Billy M Hargis,Guillermo Tellez-Isaias

doi:10.3390/pathogens8040229

Abstract

Two experimental models were conducted to evaluate and compare the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) or curcumin formulated in a solid dispersion (SD-CUR) as prophylactic or therapeutic alternatives to prevent or control S. Enteritidis (SE) infection in broiler chickens. In the prophylactic model, dietary administration of AA showed a significant reduction in SE counts in crop compared to the positive control (PC) group (p < 0.05), whereas in cecal tonsils (CT), SD-CUR significantly reduced SE recovery. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly higher in chickens supplemented with AA or SD-CUR, and total intestinal IgA levels were significantly lower in both treatments when compared to the PC group. Serum fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-d) levels were reduced by SD-CUR compared to PC, while AA presented significantly lower total aerobic bacteria. In the therapeutic model, only the dietary administration of AA significantly decreased SE in crop and CT on days 3 and 10 post-challenge. FITC-d levels were significantly lower in both treated groups in comparison to PC, but IgA levels were significantly reduced only by AA. The results suggest that dietary AA and SD-CUR have different modes of action to reduce SE intestinal colonization in two different challenge models in broiler chickens.

Highlights

The restriction of antibiotics at subtherapeutic doses in animal production as growth promoters has been associated with increased bacterial infections in poultry and, paradoxically, greater use of antibiotics [1,2,3,4,5,6]
Enteritidis counts in crop were statistically 1.2 log lower in the ascorbic acid (AA) group compared to the positive control group (PC) group (p < 0.05), whereas in cecal tonsils (CT), chickens supplemented with solid dispersions of curcumin (SD-CUR) presented significantly lower S
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly higher in chickens supplemented with AA and SD-CUR in comparison with the PC

Summary

Introduction

The restriction of antibiotics at subtherapeutic doses in animal production as growth promoters has been associated with increased bacterial infections in poultry and, paradoxically, greater use of antibiotics [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Interest in finding viable alternatives with similar benefits to antibiotics has increased in recent years [7], mainly to prevent, control, and treat infections associated with Salmonella, a foodborne pathogen that remains a significant concern in public health [8]. Pathogens 2019, 8, 229 investigation of alternatives to antibiotics has been focused on improving intestinal health through the use of feed additives such as probiotics, prebiotics, in-feed enzymes, essential oils, herbal extracts, and antioxidants [9]. AA has an immunomodulatory effect and can improve the microbial diversity and function [13,14]

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Discussion

Conclusion