Chitosan Oligosaccharide Supplementation Research Articles

Influence of dietary chitosan-oligosaccharides supplementation on productive and reproductive performance of laying hens

Abstract This experiment aimed to ascertain whether adding chitosan-oligosaccharides (COS) to the diet will affect Mandarah laying hens’ productivity and reproductive efficiency. At the age of 34 weeks, 120 laying hens and 12 cocks of the Mandarah chicken strain were separated into four groups, each consisting of 30 hens and three cocks. The 1st group served as a control group, receiving only a basic diet. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th experimental groups received 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 g/kg of chitosan-oligosaccharides as an addition to the base diet, respectively. According to the findings of this study, the majority of the analyzed attributes differed significantly between treatment groups. Comparing the COS-treated birds to the control birds, the COS-treated birds significantly increased egg production, improved feed conversion, Haugh unit score, shell thickness, fertility, hatchability, ovary weight, and the number of yellow ovarian follicles as well as blood estradiol-17β (E2) and testosterone concentrations. Furthermore, compared to the other treated groups, introducing COS at a level of 0.1 g/kg diet resulted in the best laying rate, egg mass, and feed conversion. The highest percentage of fertility, hatchability of hatching eggs, ovary weight, number of yellow ovarian follicles, and serum E2 concentration was also found in birds fed COS at a dose of 0.2 g/kg feed. In addition, compared to the control diet, COS treatment at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 g/kg enhanced relative economic efficiency by 464.43, 457.41, and 352.75%, respectively. It is concluded that chitosan improves economic efficiency, reproductive performance, productivity in laying hens, and overall health when used at 0.1 g/kg diet.

Dietary Chitosan Oligosaccharide Supplementation Improves Meat Quality by Improving Antioxidant Capacity and Fiber Characteristics in the Thigh Muscle of Broilers.

This study investigated the effects of dietary chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on meat quality, antioxidant capacity, and muscle fiber characteristics in the thigh muscle of broilers. The results showed that dietary COS supplementation decreased shear force and increased crude protein content and nutritional value in the thigh muscle, while decreasing the content of C16:0, C18:0, and total saturated fatty acids. Dietary COS supplementation increased free radical scavenging activity, antioxidant enzyme activity, and antioxidant enzyme-related gene expression. Additionally, COS promoted MyHCI while decreasing MyHCIIb mRNA expression levels. The myofiber transformation was associated with upregulated gene expression of CaN, NFATc1, MyoD, and SIRT1. Together, the results of this study demonstrate that dietary COS supplementation improves meat quality, nutritional value, antioxidant capacity, and myofiber transformation to more oxidative muscle fibers in the thigh muscle of broilers when its supplemental level is 400 mg/kg.

Chitosan oligosaccharide improves intestinal function by promoting intestinal development, alleviating intestinal inflammatory response, and enhancing antioxidant capacity in broilers aged d 1 to 14

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on intestinal development and functions, inflammatory response, antioxidant capacity and the related signaling pathways in broilers aged d 1 to 14. A total of 240 one-day old male Arbor Acres broilers (40.47 ± 0.30 g) were randomly allotted to 4 groups, and each group consisted of 6 replicate pens with 10 broilers per replicate. Broilers fed a basal diet supplementation with COS at 0 (CON group), 200 (COS200 group), 400 (COS400 group), and 800 mg/kg (COS800 group) for 14 d, respectively. Broilers in the COS supplementation groups had no significant effects on growth performance. Compared to the CON group, dietary COS supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the relative weight of duodenum, jejunal lipase activity, duodenal and ileal villus surface area, and lower (P < 0.05) ileal amylase and alkaline phosphatase activity, and crypt depth. The expression level of duodenal glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), Na+-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), peptide transporter 1 (PepT1), occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and interleukin-10 (IL-10), jejunal SGLT1, PepT1, occludin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and ileal SGLT1, PepT1, and fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1) was upregulated by COS. However, the expression level of duodenal FABP1 and TNF-α, jejunal GLUT1, ZO-1, TLR4, MyD88, nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65), and IL-1β, and ileal GLUT1, NF-κB p65, and IL-1β was downregulated by COS. Furthermore, dietary COS supplementation increased duodenal catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, jejunal CAT and T-SOD activity, upregulated the expression level of duodenal nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), CAT, glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), and copper and zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD), jejunal CAT, and ileal Nrf2, CAT, and GPX1. These results suggested that COS could promote intestinal development and functions in broilers aged d 1 to 14, which might be mediated by alleviating intestinal inflammatory response and enhancing antioxidant capacity.

Chitosan oligosaccharides in the diet of broiler chickens under cold stress had anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and improved hematological and biochemical indices, cardiac index, and growth performance

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on broiler chickens under cold stress. A total of 500 one -day-old male broiler chickens were randomly allocated into five treatments with five replicate pens (with 20 broiler chickens per pen). The broiler chickens in thermoneutral treatment (TN control) were reared at normal temperature, while the broiler chickens in other four treatments were subjected to the cold stress (CS) + 0, 1, 2, and 3 g COS/kg. At d 42, two broiler chickens per cage were weighed and euthanized, and samples for blood and heart were collected. Dietary COS improved growth performance indices and reduced relative heart weight, right ventricle to total ventricle ratio, right ventricle to body weight, and mortality (P < 0.01). The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in serum and liver were increased, and malondialdehyde was reduced by COS supplementation compared to the CS treatment (P < 0.01). The cold stress-induced effect on serum and liver levels of TNF-α and interleukin-1β were reduced, and interleukin-10 was increased by dietary COS supplementation (P < 0.01). Moreover, supplementing of diets with COS alleviated the adverse effect of cold stress as reflected by a reduction in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, and cholesterol compared to the CS treatment (P < 0.01). It is also, the red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, heterophil, and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio reduced by COS supplementation compared to the CS treatment . In conclusion, COS supplementation during cold stress may be used to alleviate cold stress related changes in broiler chickens.

Chitosan Oligosaccharides Alleviate Heat-Stress-Induced Lipid Metabolism Disorders by Suppressing the Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response in the Liver of Broilers.

Heat stress has been reported to induce hepatic oxidative stress and alter lipid metabolism and fat deposition in broilers. Chitosan oligosaccharides (COSs), a natural oligosaccharide, has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects. This study is conducted to evaluate dietary COS supplementation on hepatic anti-oxidant capacity, inflammatory response, and lipid metabolism in heat-stressed broilers. The results indicate that heat-stress-induced poor (p < 0.05) growth performance and higher (p < 0.05) abdominal adiposity are alleviated by COS supplementation. Heat stress increases (p < 0.05) serum AST and ATL activity, serum and liver MDA, TG, TC, and LDL-C levels, and the expression of hepatic IL-1β, IL-6, SREBP-1c, ACC, and FAS, while it decreases (p < 0.05) serum SOD and CAT activity, liver GSH-Px and SOD activity, and the expression of hepatic Nrf2, GPX1, IL-10, MTTP, PPARα, and CPT1. Nevertheless, COS supplementation decreases (p < 0.05) serum AST and ATL activity, serum and liver MDA, TG, TC, and LDL-C levels, and the expression of hepatic IL-1β, IL-6, SREBP-1c, ACC, and FAS, while it increases (p < 0.05) serum SOD and CAT activity, liver GSH-Px activity, and the expression of hepatic Nrf2, CAT, IL-10, LPL, MTTP, PPARα, and CPT1. In conclusion, COS could alleviate heat-stress-induced lipid metabolism disorders by enhancing hepatic anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity.

Effects of dietary chitosan oligosaccharides supplementation on meat quality, chemical composition and anti-oxidant capacity in frizzled chickens

The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) supplementation on meat quality, chemical composition and oxidative stability in frizzled chickens. A total of 360 one-day-old female frizzled chickens with an average body weight of 34.38 ± 1.23 g were randomly allocated to four groups with six replications (10 chickens/replication) in this 84-day experiment. The chickens in the control group (CON) fed the basal diet and the other three experimental diets were based on the basal diet with 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg COS supplementation, respectively. The results indicated that dietary COS increased growth performance, eviscerated and breast muscle yield while decreased abdominal fat yield, accompanied with increasing pH45min, pH24h, Lightness, drip loss and cooking loss in breast and thigh muscle. The scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in breast and thigh muscle were improved by COS while malondialdehyde content was decreased. COS up-regulated the gene expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in breast and thigh muscle. In conclusion, dietary COS supplementation improved meat quality by improving pH, colour, water holding capacity and anti-oxidant capacity, accompanied with decreased lipid metabolism in frizzled chickens. Dietary 600 mg/kg COS was recommended in frizzled chickens’ diet to improve meat quality. Highlights COS improves growth performance of frizzled chickens. COS improves meat quality of frizzled chickens. COS enhances anti-oxidant capacity of frizzled chickens’ meat.

Marine Chitosan-Oligosaccharide Ameliorated Plasma Cholesterol in Hypercholesterolemic Hamsters by Modifying the Gut Microflora, Bile Acids, and Short-Chain Fatty Acids.

This study evaluated the cholesterol-alleviating effect and underlying mechanisms of chitosan-oligosaccharide (COS) in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Male hamsters (n = 24) were divided into three groups in a random fashion, and each group was fed one particular diet, namely a non-cholesterol diet (NCD), a high-cholesterol diet (HCD), and an HCD diet substituting 5% of the COS diet for six weeks. Subsequently, alterations in fecal bile acids (BAs), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and gut microflora (GM) were investigated. COS intervention significantly reduced and increased the plasma total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in hypercholesteremic hamsters. Furthermore, Non-HDL-C and total triacylglycerols (TG) levels were also reduced by COS supplementation. Additionally, COS could reduce and increase food intake and fecal SCFAs (acetate), respectively. Moreover, COS had beneficial effects on levels of BAs and GM related to cholesterol metabolism. This study provides novel evidence for the cholesterol-lowering activity of COS.

Antidiabetic Properties of Chitosan and Its Derivatives.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder. In addition to taking medication, adjusting the composition of the diet is also considered one of the effective methods to control the levels of blood glucose. Chitosan and its derivatives are natural and versatile biomaterials with health benefits. Chitosan has the potential to alleviate diabetic hyperglycemia by reducing hepatic gluconeogenesis and increasing skeletal muscle glucose uptake and utility. Scientists also focus on the glucose-lowering effect of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS). COS supplementation has the potential to alleviate abnormal glucose metabolism in diabetic rats by inhibiting gluconeogenesis and lipid peroxidation in the liver. Both high and low molecular weight chitosan feeding reduced insulin resistance by inhibiting lipid accumulation in the liver and adipose tissue and ameliorating chronic inflammation in diabetic rats. COS can reduce insulin resistance but has less ability to reduce hepatic lipids in diabetic rats. A clinical trial showed that a 3-month administration of chitosan increased insulin sensitivity and decreased body weight and triglycerides in obese patients. Chitosan and COS are considered Generally Recognized as Safe; however, they are still considered to be of safety concerns. This review highlights recent advances of chitosan and its derivatives in the glucose-lowering/antidiabetic effects and the safety.

Chitosan Oligosaccharide Supplementation Affects Immunity Markers in Ewes and Lambs during Gestation and Lactation.

Simple SummaryChitosan oligosaccharide (COS) is a hydrolyzate of the structural polysaccharide, chitin, extracted from crab and shrimp shells, which has significant health benefits for humans including boosting immunity. However, there is limited information on the potential use of COS for sheep health and production. We supplemented COS via a loose lick to pregnant ewes maintained on pasture for 11 weeks with an estimated COS intake @100–600 mg/d/ewe from 5 weeks pre-lambing until lamb marking at ~4 weeks of age. We demonstrated that COS is readily incorporated into sheep supplementary feed without compromising palatability. Maternal COS supplementation did not influence the body weight of ewes or lambs, but it significantly increased serum interleukin 2 concentrations in both ewes and lambs at marking and weaning, while boosting the first line of immune defence of the lamb through an increase in serum immunoglobulin M at lamb marking. Other immune markers or cytokines were not affected by maternal COS supplementation in either ewes or lambs. Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) is derived through deacetylation of chitin from crustacean shells. Previous studies reported the benefits of COS to gut microbiota, immunity and health of host species. In this study, 120 pregnant composite ewes were subdivided into treatment and control groups in duplicate. COS was supplemented via a loose lick to provide an estimated intake of COS @100–600 mg/d/ewe for five weeks pre-lambing until lamb marking. Body weight was recorded pre-treatment for ewes, and at lamb marking and weaning for both ewes and lambs. Serum immunity markers immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA), secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), interleukin (IL)-2, IL10 and faecal sIgA were determined for ewes and lambs at lamb marking and weaning by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that COS can be incorporated in sheep feed without compromising palatability. Maternal COS supplementation did not influence the body weight of ewes or lambs. It did, however, significantly increase the concentrations of serum IL2 in ewes at marking and weaning (p < 0.001). In lambs, COS also significantly increased the IL2 concentration at making (p = 0.018) and weaning (p = 0.029) and serum IgM at marking (p < 0.001). No significant effect was observed in the concentration of any other immune marker or cytokine in either ewes or lambs. In conclusion, maternal COS supplementation significantly modulated some immunity markers in both ewes and lambs. The short duration of maternal COS supplementation and optimal seasonal conditions during the trial may explain the lack of significant body weight in ewes and lambs from the COS supplementation. ImplicationsOur findings indicate that COS can be incorporated in sheep feed without compromising palatability and maternal COS supplementation significantly modulated some immunity markers in both ewes and lambs, implying the functional role of COS and its use as a feed additive for improving sheep production and immunity. Findings from this study will help to develop alternative nutritional strategies to reduce the incidence of infectious diseases in sheep. COS can thus be proposed as a cost-effective functional feed targeting pregnant and lactating ewes and weaner lambs to improve sheep production.

Effects of Chitosan Oligosaccharide on Production Performance, Egg Quality and Ovarian Function in Laying Hens with Fatty Liver Syndrome.

Simple SummaryFatty liver syndrome (FLS) often occurs in caged laying hens and can cause decreases in production performance. Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS), degraded from chitin or chitosan, has been demonstrated to prevent metabolic diseases in rodents. In this work, we found that dietary COS supplementation could improve production performance and egg quality in laying hens with FLS. Further study indicated that improved ovarian morphology and function may be involved in these beneficial effects of COS. Specifically, dietary COS supplementation decreased oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in the ovaries of laying hens with FLS. This study provides evidence for the application of COS to improve production performance and egg quality in laying hens with FLS.This study aimed to investigate the role of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) as an additive in the feed of laying hens with fatty liver syndrome (FLS). Effects on production performance, egg quality as well as ovarian function were determined. A total of 360 Lohmann Pink-shell laying hens (28 weeks old) were randomly assigned to 5 groups (6 replicates × 12 birds). Hens were fed with a basal diet and a high-energy low-protein (HELP) diet supplemented with 0, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg COS. COS reversed the lowered laying rates, increased feed-to-egg ratios and decreased albumen heights and Haugh units induced by the HELP diet. Additionally, COS improved the ovarian morphologies damaged by the HELP diet. Furthermore, COS enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced malonaldehyde levels and downregulated the mRNA expressions of nuclear factor kappa B, pro-inflammation cytokine genes and pro-apoptosis-related genes, while it upregulated the mRNA expression of anti-apoptosis-related genes in the ovaries of HELP-diet-fed hens. These findings suggested that dietary COS supplementation could improve production performance and egg quality in laying hens with FLS, and these beneficial effects were linked to improved ovarian morphology, which was attributed to decreased oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in the ovaries.

Effects of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) and FMT from COS-dosed mice on intestinal barrier function and cell apoptosis

Chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) show the potential to support the intestinal health, but the mechanism and role of COS-derived intestinal microbiota are unknown. We explored the protective effect of direct administration of COS on intestinal barrier function using an in vivo colitis mouse model and an in vitro enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-challenged IPEC-J2 cell model. COS directly enhanced the intestinal barrier function. COS intervention also promoted the abundance and diversity of intestinal flora. Importantly, FMT intervention with a COS-derived microbiome decreased the disease index level and alleviated histopathological changes, and improved gut barrier function in the colitis model. Both COS and COS-derived microbiota suppressed ETEC-induced cellular apoptosis in IPEC-J2 cells. This study firstly confirms transplantation of COS-modified fecal microbiota can enhance the intestinal barrier function. The mechanism underlying COS benefits is due to a direct intervention by COS supplementation and an indirect improvement of the gut microbiota induced by COS exposure.

Dietary Supplementation of Chitosan Oligosaccharide-Clostridium butyricum Synbiotic Relieved Early-Weaned Stress by Improving Intestinal Health on Pigeon Squabs (Columba livia).

According to a previous study, we had found that early weaning causes harm to growth performance, intestinal morphology, activity of digestive enzymes, and antioxidant status in pigeon squabs (Columba livia). Chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) and Clostridium butyricum have been reported to have great potential to improve the growth performance and intestinal health of early-weaned animals. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore whether dietary supplementation with COS-C. butyricum synbiotic could relieve early-weaned stress by evaluating its effects on growth performance and intestinal health in pigeon squabs. A total of 160 squabs (weaned at 7 days of age) were randomly divided into 5 groups: the control group, fed with artificial crop milk; the COS supplementation group, fed with artificial crop milk + 150 mg/kg COS; and three synbiotic supplementation groups, fed with artificial crop milk + 150 mg/kg COS + 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg C. butyricum. The results showed that a diet supplemented with COS-C. butyricum synbiotic benefitted the growth performance of early-weaned squabs; even so the differences were not significant among the five groups (p > 0.05). In addition, dietary supplementation of 150 mg/kg COS + 300~400 mg/kg C. butyricum significantly improved the intestinal morphology (especially villus surface area and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth), the activity of digestive enzymes (lipase, trypsin, and leucine aminopeptidase) in duodenum contents, and the production of total short-chain fatty acids and acetic acid in ileum content (p < 0.05). Additionally, dietary supplementation of 150 mg/kg COS + 400 mg/kg C. butyricum benefitted gut health by improving the antioxidant capacity (glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity) and cytokine status (IL-4 and IL-10) (p < 0.05), as well as by improving the intestinal microbiota diversity. In conclusion, our results revealed that dietary supplementation with synbiotic (150 mg/kg COS + 300~400 mg/kg C. butyricum) could relieve early-weaned stress by maintaining intestinal health in pigeon squabs.

Dietary chitosan oligosaccharides improves health status in broilers for safe poultry meat production

Feed additives are routinely used for improving poultry health and production worldwide. Chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) is a relatively new feed additive that is a derivative of chitosan, a non-toxic linear polysaccharide with many biological functions. To investigate the efficacy of COS on gut morphology and serum biochemical profile (lipid, protein, glucose, creatinine and enzymes), a total of 180 day-old broiler chicks (n = 45) were allocated into allocated to 1 of 4 groups: control (T0) and treatment groups (T1, T2 and T3) fed basal diet supplemented with increasing amounts of COS for 35 days. Our findings showed that dietary COS supplementation had positive effects on the body weight and body weight gain in the treatment groups. Villus height and width, ratio of villus height and crypts depth, and tunica mucosa thickness of duodenum increased (P > 0.05) in the treatment groups (T1 and T2), whereas crypts depth of duodenum and cecum were decreased in the treatment groups (T1 and T2) compared to the control group; treatment group 3 (T3), however, was almost similar to the control group. In the case of cecum, tunica mucosa thickness, length and width of mucosal folds showed similar results as duodenum. The population and size of intestinal glands and lymphocytic infiltration in the mucosa were increased considerably in the treatment groups (T1 and T2) than control group. Total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels were significantly lowered in the treatment group 2 (T2) than control group or other COS treated groups (P < 0.05), although HDL cholesterol level was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in all of the treatment groups, but substantially higher in the group treatment groups 1 and 3 (T1 and T3) compared to control group. Total serum protein, albumin, and globulin were gradually increased in all of the treatment groups along with the increasing dose rates. The liver and kidney functions (ALT, AST and creatinine) were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected due to COS supplementation. These results suggest that COS has a dose-dependent response to improve gut morphology and health physiology in broilers; low to medium doses are more favorable for safe poultry production as it enhances growth performance, increases villus surface area, reduces undesirable cholesterols and positively affects the blood glucose and protein levels. These results would be helpful in exploring the efficacy of COS as a potential feed additive for safe poultry meat production, which is a time-demanding issue for the poultry industry from the consumers' point of view.

Effects of varied molecular weight of chitosan oligosaccharides on growth performance, carcass trait, meat quality, and fat metabolism in indigenous yellow-feathered chickens

The effect of varied molecular weight ( MW ) chitosan oligosaccharides ( COS ) supplementation on growth performance, carcass trait, meat quality and fat metabolism in indigenous yellow-feathered chickens was investigated. A total of 400-day-old female Lingnanhuang yellow-feathered chicks were randomly allotted to 1 of 5 treatments (8 replicate cages of 10 chicks per cage) and fed a corn-soybean meal based diet containing 5.8 g/kg of COS with MW of 0 (control), 600 ( Cs6 ), 1,200 ( Cs12 ), 2,400 ( Cs24 ), and 3,600 ( Cs36 ) Da for 56 d. The birds in Cs36 group exhibited better overall (0–56 d) feed efficiency ( P < 0.05). Both Cs24 and Cs36 feeding decreased ( P < 0.05) the liver and abdominal fat but only Cs36 decreased ( P < 0.05) the subcutaneous fat. In the Cs24 and Cs36 groups, there was an improvement in the meat quality as evidenced by a decrease ( P < 0.05) in drip loss of breast muscle as compared with the control and Cs6 groups. The liver lipid catabolism was enhanced ( P < 0.05) by the 2,400 Da and 3,600 Da COS caused by an increase in lipoprotein lipase activity and mRNA expression, which might also be the reason for the reduced carcass fat deposition. In conclusion, the 3,600 Da COS supplementation significantly improved the overall feed conversion ratio of indigenous yellow-feathered chickens. Both 2,400 Da and 3,600 Da COS were effective in reducing liver and abdominal fat deposition, decreasing drip loss of breast muscle and promoting liver fat catabolism. The study highlighted the importance of the chitosan oligosaccharide MW when added to chicken diets.

Chitosan oligosaccharides alleviate acute heat stress-induced oxidative damage by activating ERK1/2-mediated HO-1 and GSH-Px gene expression in breast muscle of broilers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on acute heat stress (AHS) induced poor meat quality by alleviating oxidative damage through mitogen-activated protein kinase-nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant responsive element (MAPK-Nrf2-ARE) signaling pathway. A total of 108 thirty-five-day-old Chinese indigenous broilers (Luhua chicken) was used for this 42-d experiment. The broilers were randomly allocated to 3 treatments: control group (CON), AHS group, and AHS with 400 mg/kg COS supplementation (AHS-C) group. Both CON and AHS groups given the basal diet, and the AHS-C group given the basal diet with 400 mg/kg COS supplementation. On d 42, broilers in the AHS and AHS-C groups treated with AHS (increasing temperature from 24 to 34°C in 2-h and held for another 2-h), and the CON group under normal temperature (24°C). AHS exposure elevated (P < 0.05) body temperature (rectal, comb, eyelids, and feet) of broilers, increased (P < 0.05) breast muscle lightness (L*), drip loss, share force, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and catalase (CAT) activity, however, decreased (P < 0.05) pH45min, pH24h, redness (a*), and relative expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Compared to the AHS group, dietary COS supplementation increased (P < 0.05) breast muscle pH45min, pH24h, and a*, H2O2 scavenging activity, as well as relative expression of HO-1 and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), however, decreased (P < 0.05) drip loss, share force, superoxide anion free radicals (O2•−) scavenging activity, ROS production, and MDA content. It was concluded that AHS impaired meat quality, which may be related to oxidative damage, as evidenced by increasing ROS production, MDA content, and decreasing the relative expression of HO-1. Dietary COS supplementation could effectively elevate the meat quality of broilers exposed to AHS via decreasing ROS production, activating the Nrf2 pathway, and Nrf2-mediated HO-1 and GSH-Px gene expression.

Supplementing Chitosan Oligosaccharide Positively Affects Hybrid Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂) Fed Dietary Fish Meal Replacement With Cottonseed Protein Concentrate: Effects on Growth, Gut Microbiota, Antioxidant Function and Immune Response

Oligosaccharides have recently received much attention from researchers owing to their multiple biological activities. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a diet with reduced fish meal and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on a hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂). Seven isonitrogenous and isolipidic types of diet were formulated to feed the groupers for 56 days. To prepare the feed, a reference diet (FM group) containing 55% fish meal was used. Concentrated cottonseed protein (CPC) was used to replace 45% of the fish meal protein, and different COS supplementation levels (0, 0.2%, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1%) were added. After an 8-week breeding trial, Vibrio harveyi bacteria were injected into the groupers for a 7-day challenge test. The results showed that the FM and COS0.4 groups showed the best growth performance among the groups (p &amp;lt; 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the survival rate (p &amp;gt; 0.05). Unlike in the FM group, adhesion and breakage of the intestinal plica occurred in the COS0 group. The height and width of the gut fold reached maximum values in the COS0.4 group (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Microbiome sequencing suggested that there was a stable microbiota core in the gut of the groupers. With increasing COS levels, the abundance of both beneficial bacteria and conditional pathogens increased; the activities of serum glucose oxidase, catalase, and total superoxide dismutase also increased (p &amp;lt; 0.05). In the gut tissue, the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutamine increased first but then decreased (p &amp;lt; 0.05); the contents of lysozyme, acid phosphatase, complements C3 and C4, and IgM showed upward trends (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Compared with that in the FM group, the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the COS0 group was upregulated. Gene expression levels of TLR22, TGF-β, and Nrf2 increased first but then decreased with COS supplementation levels (p &amp;lt; 0.05). COS supplementation reduced the cumulative mortality of the groupers in the challenge test (p &amp;lt; 0.05). In general, the results of this study demonstrated that dietary COS supplementation enhanced growth performance, intestinal health, and antioxidant and immune responses of groupers fed with a low-fish meal diet. The optimal and acceptable levels of COS supplement were 0.45 and 0.4–0.6%, respectively; these values can provide a reference for developing aquatic prebiotics.

Chitosan Oligosaccharide Alleviates Abnormal Glucose Metabolism without Inhibition of Hepatic Lipid Accumulation in a High-Fat Diet/Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat Model.

This study investigated the effects of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on glucose metabolism and hepatic steatosis in a high-fat (HF) diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Male Wistar rats were divided into: (1) normal control (NC group), (2) HF diet (HF group), (3) streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes with HF diet (DF group), and DF group supplemented with (4) 0.5% COS (D0.5F group), (5) 1% COS (D1F group), and (6) 5% COS (D5F group) for 4 weeks. COS supplementation significantly decreased the plasma glucose, BUN, creatinine, uric acid, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels, and hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity, and significantly increased hepatic hexokinase activity and glycogen content in diabetic rats; but the increased hepatic TG and TC levels could not be significantly decreased by COS supplementation. Supplementation of COS increased superoxide dismutase activity and decreased lipid peroxidation products in the diabetic rat livers. COS supplementation significantly increased phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) protein expression, and attenuated protein expression of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and phosphorylated p38 and renal sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) in diabetic rats. These results suggest that COS may possess a potential for alleviating abnormal glucose metabolism in diabetic rats through the inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis and lipid peroxidation and renal SGLT2 expression.

Effects and Mechanisms of Chitosan and ChitosanOligosaccharide on Hepatic Lipogenesis and Lipid Peroxidation, Adipose Lipolysis, and Intestinal Lipid Absorption in Rats with High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity.

Chitosan and its derivative, chitosan oligosaccharide (CO), possess hypolipidemic and anti-obesity effects. However, it is still unclear if the mechanisms are different or similar between chitosan and CO. This study was designed to investigate and compare the effects of CO and high-molecular-weight chitosan (HC) on liver lipogenesis and lipid peroxidation, adipose lipolysis, and intestinal lipid absorption in high-fat (HF) diet-fed rats for 12 weeks. Rats were divided into four groups: normal control diet (NC), HF diet, HF diet+5% HC, and HF diet+5% CO. Both HC and CO supplementation could reduce liver lipid biosynthesis, but HC had a better effect than CO on improving liver lipid accumulation in HF diet-fed rats. The increased levels of triglyceride decreased lipolysis rate, and increased lipoprotein lipase activity in the perirenal adipose tissue of HF diet-fed rats could be significantly reversed by both HC and CO supplementation. HC, but not CO, supplementation promoted liver antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities and reduced liver lipid peroxidation. In the intestines, CO, but not HC, supplementation reduced lipid absorption by reducing the expression of fabp2 and fatp4 mRNA. These results suggest that HC and CO have different mechanisms for improving lipid metabolism in HF diet-fed rats.

Effects of chitosan oligosaccharides on meat quality, muscle energy metabolism and anti-oxidant status in broilers that have experienced transport stress

Context Pre-slaughter transport, exposed broilers to various stressors, which resulted in detrimental effects on animal welfare, live bodyweight loss, mortality and meat quality. There was growing interest to explore effective ways to reduce the stress response and improve meat quality of transported broilers by using dietary feed additives. Aims The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on meat quality, muscle energy metabolism and anti-oxidant status of broilers having 3-h transport stress. Methods In total, of 144 35-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments, including a basal diet (96 broilers), or basal diet supplemented with COS at 200 mg/kg (48 broilers). There were eight broilers per cage, and 12 replication cages in the basal diet group and six replication cages in the basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS group. At the end of the experiment, after a 12-h fast, broilers in the basal diet group were randomly divided into two groups, with six replication cages in each group; then, the broilers were transported as per the following protocols: broilers in the basal diet group (CON group) were without transport stress; broilers in the basal diet group with 3 h of transport stress (TS group), and broilers in the basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS supplementation and 3 h of transport stress (TSC group). The serum corticosterone concentration, serum, liver and muscle anti-oxidant status, as well as meat quality and muscle energy metabolism were analysed. Key results Compared with the CON group, TS group showed increased bodyweight loss, serum corticosterone concentration, breakdown of muscle glycogen, increased muscle lactate dehydrogenase activity, as well as some changes of body anti-oxidant status (higher serum, liver and muscle MDA concentrations, lower serum SOD and GSH-Px, liver SOD and CAT, and lower muscle SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activity), accompanied with lower pH45min and pH24h. Nevertheless, compared with the TS group, dietary COS supplementation reduced bodyweight loss, decreased muscle MDA concentration, increased muscle SOD and CAT activity, and was accompanied with improving pH24h. Conclusions The results suggested that the positive effects of dietary COS supplementation in maintaining meat quality were mainly due to the improved muscle anti-oxidant status. Implications Dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg COS could serve as a beneficial and effective way to alleviate transport-impaired meat quality of broilers.

Effects of dietary chitosan oligosaccharides on oxidative stress and inflammation response in liver and spleen of yellow-feather broilers exposed to high ambient temperature

Heat stress jeopardised animal health by inducing oxidative stress and inflammation. This study was done to investigate the effects of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on oxidative stress and inflammation response in liver and spleen of yellow-feather broilers under high ambient temperature. A total of 144 35-day-old female Chinese indigenous yellow-feather broilers (body weight 450.21 ± 10.05 g) were randomly allocated into 3 dietary treatments with 6 replication pens, each pen had 8 broilers. The treatments were: Control, basal diet; COS100, basal diet with 100 mg/kg COS; COS200, basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS. During day 22 to 42 (57 to 77 days of age), broilers in the COS200 group had higher (p < .05) ADFI than broilers in the Control group. Broilers in the COS200 group had lower (p < .05) serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and tumour necrosis factor-α levels, and spleen malondialdehyde (MDA) content, but had higher (p < .05) liver superoxide dismutase activity and serum interleukin-10 level than broilers in the Control group. Broilers in the COS100 and COS200 groups had lower (p < .05) serum and liver MDA content, and serum interleukin-1β level, but had higher (p < .05) serum glutathione peroxidase activity than broilers in the Control group. In conclusion, dietary COS supplementation can alleviate heat stress-induced oxidative stress and inflammation response in liver and spleen by decreasing lipid peroxidation, increasing anti-oxidant enzyme activities and IL-10 level. HIGHLIGHTS Dietary COS decreased serum ALT, AST, IL-1β, TNF-α and MDA. Dietary COS increased serum GSH-Px and IL-10, liver SOD, and spleen GSH-Px.