Dietary Supplementation Of Chitosan Research Articles

Effects of Dietary Chitosan on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indices, Antioxidant Capacity, and Immune Response of Juvenile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under Cadmium Stress

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of varying levels of dietary chitosan supplementation on mitigating cadmium stress and its influence on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, antioxidant capacity, immune response, inflammatory response, and the expression of related genes in juvenile Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus). Five groups of juvenile tilapias (initial body weight 21.21 ± 0.24 g) were fed five diets with different levels (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) of chitosan supplementation for 60 days under cadmium stress (0.2 mg/L Cd2+). The findings indicated that, compared with the 0% chitosan group, dietary chitosan could significantly increase (p < 0.05) the final weight (Wf), weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), daily growth index (DGI), and condition factor (CF), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) expressed the opposite trend in juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly increase (p < 0.05) the activities (contents) of cholinesterase (CHE), albumin (ALB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), and lysozyme (LZM), while glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and complement 3 (C3) in the serum of juvenile GIFT expressed the opposite trend. Dietary chitosan could significantly increase (p < 0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and significantly decrease (p < 0.05) the activities (contents) of glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly increase (p < 0.05) the activities (contents) of CAT, GST, GSH-Px, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and significantly decrease (p < 0.05) the contents of MDA in the liver of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly increase (p < 0.05) the activities (contents) of SOD, GSH-Px, T-AOC, Na+-K+-ATPase, and Ca2+-ATPase and significantly decrease (p < 0.05) the activities (contents) of CAT, GST, and MDA in the gills of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly up-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of cat, sod, gst, and gsh-px in the liver of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly up-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of interferon-γ (inf-γ) in the gills and spleen and significantly down-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of inf-γ in the liver and head kidney of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly down-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of interleukin-6 (il-6), il-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (tnf-α) in the liver, gills, head kidney, and spleen of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly up-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of il-10 in the liver, gills, head kidney, and spleen of juvenile GIFT. Dietary chitosan could significantly up-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of transforming growth factor-β (tgf-β) in the liver and significantly down-regulate (p < 0.05) the gene expression of tgf-β in the head kidney and spleen of juvenile GIFT. In conclusion, dietary chitosan could mitigate the impact of cadmium stress on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, antioxidant capacity, immune response, inflammatory response, and related gene expression in juvenile GIFT. According to the analysis of second-order polynomial regression, it was found that the optimal dietary chitosan levels in juvenile GIFT was approximately 1.42% to 1.45%, based on its impact on Wf, WGR, SGR, and DGI.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Chitosan on the Muscle Composition, Digestion, Lipid Metabolism, and Stress Resistance of Juvenile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Exposed to Cadmium-Induced Stress.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary chitosan supplementation on the muscle composition, digestion, lipid metabolism, and stress resistance, and their related gene expression, of juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) subjected to cadmium (Cd2+) stress. Juvenile tilapia with an initial body weight of 21.21 ± 0.24 g were fed with a formulated feed containing five different levels (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) of chitosan for 60 days, while the water in all experimental groups contained a Cd2+ concentration of 0.2 mg/L. The results showed that, compared with the control group (0% chitosan), the contents of crude fat and crude protein in the muscle, the activities of lipase, trypsin, and amylase in the intestine, as well as the relative expression levels of metallothionein (mt), cytochrome P450 1A (cyp1a), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (cpt-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (pparα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (pparγ), hormone-sensitive lipase (hsl), lipoprotein lipase (lpl), malate dehydrogenase (mdh), leptin (lep), fatty acid synthase (fas), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (srebp1), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (scd) genes in the liver of juveniles were significantly increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary chitosan supplementation could alleviate the effects of Cd2+ stress on the muscle composition, digestive enzymes, lipid metabolism, and stress resistance, and their related gene expression, of juvenile tilapia, and to some extent reduce the toxic effect of Cd2+ stress on tilapia.

The effects of ketogenic and chitosan-based diets on submandibular salivary gland in rat model: a comparative histological study

ObjectiveThis study was carried out in the submandibular salivary glands (SSGs) of rats to demonstrate the effect of a ketogenic diet (KD) in comparison with dietary chitosan supplementation.MethodEighteen albino rats were randomly divided into three equal groups of six animals each. Rats in Group I were fed a balanced diet and considered controls. Meanwhile, those of Groups II and III were fed a KD, a balanced diet with high molecular weight chitosan, respectively. After 45 days, rats were euthanized, and the SSGs were dissected carefully for staining with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunohistochemical staining, and Congo red special stain. Quantitative data from α-SMA staining and Congo red staining were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons post hoc test.ResultsRegarding Congo red and α-SMA staining, one-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference between the three groups. For α-SMA staining and Congo red staining, Group II had the highest mean values of 91.41 ± 3.30 and 68.10 ± 5.04, respectively, while Group I had the lowest values of 56.13 ± 3.96 and 16.87 ± 2.19, respectively. Group III had mean values of 60.70 ± 3.55 for α-SMA and 19.50 ± 1.78 for Congo red. Tukey’s multiple comparisons post hoc test revealed significant differences between groups I & II and between groups II & III (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, there was a nonsignificant difference between groups I and III (P > 0.05).ConclusionA KD has a deleterious effect on rats’ SSG whatever the test we used, and dietary chitosan supplementation ameliorates these damaging effects.

The effects of supplemental dietary chitosan on broiler performance and myopathic features of white striping

White striping (WS) is a common myopathy seen in fast-growing broilers. Studies have demonstrated that chitosan is effective as an antioxidant and has antiobesity and fat-absorption reduction properties. We hypothesized that the dietary supplementation of chitosan would have similar effects when fed to fast-growing broilers and would thus lower WS incidence and improve meat quality. One hundred twenty-six broilers were fed corn-soy diets. The grower and finisher diets contained either 0, 0.2, or 0.4% chitosan. After a 6 wk growth period, birds were euthanized, and then WS and gross pathology scores were assessed. Pectoralis major tissues were collected to evaluate cook loss, drip loss, histopathology scores, and the gene expression of CCR7, LECT2, CD36, PPARG, and PTGS2. There were no significant differences between the broiler weights, thus chitosan did not appear to compromise the overall growth of the broilers. Female broilers fed 0.4% chitosan had the lowest WS incidence, while male broiler fed 0.4% chitosan had the least cook loss. However, gene expression analyses did not offer insight into any grossly or histologically visualized differences in the muscles. Thus, while we can postulate that chitosan could have some positive effect in reducing WS incidence and improving meat quality, further studies are required to better scrutinize the mechanisms by which chitosan affects WS and other such myopathies in fast-growing broilers.

Influence of Dietary Chitosan Supplementation on Growth Indicators, Nutrient Digestibility, Immunity, Cecal Microbiota, and Intestinal Morphology of Growing Male Rabbits

Abstract The present study aimed to assess the influence of dietary chitosan on production performance, nutrient digestibility, slaughter traits, immune function, cecal microbiota, and intestinal histomorphometry of growing rabbits for 56 days. In total, sixty New Zealand White male rabbits aged 35 days (574±7.26 g, mean ± SEM) were arbitrarily assigned to four dietary groups. The experimental diets were fortified with chitosan powder at 0, 250, 500, and 1000 mg per kg diet, respectively. It was found that final weight, specific growth rate, daily weight gain, and feed: gain enhanced linearly (P&lt;0.05) with increasing chitosan levels in the diet. No significant differences were found for all slaughter traits, including hot carcass weight, carcass yield, and internal organ weights, besides carcass parts, including head, fore, intermediate and hind parts. Hematocrit percentage (linear, P = 0.024), serum lysozyme activity (linear, P = 0.004), immunoglobulin M, and complement C3 concentrations (linearly, P&lt;0.001) increased with increasing chitosan supplementation levels. The organic matter (P = 0.009), dry matter (P = 0.008), and nitrogen-free extract (P = 0.012) digestibilities were enhanced quadratically by dietary supplementation with chitosan. Cecal lactobacilli, E. coli, coliform and Salmonella spp. populations (linear, P&lt;0.05) decreased in response to chitosan supplementation. All the dietary chitosan levels increased villus width, villus length, and crypt depth (linear, P&lt;0.001), whereas muscular layer thickness decreased (linear, P=0.002). In summary, supplementing the diet of growing rabbits with chitosan can improve growth indicators, immunity, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphology, as well as reduce pathogenic cecal bacteria.

Influence of dietary chitosan supplementation on ovarian development and reproductive performance of New Zealand White rabbit does

Abstract This study aimed to determine the effect of dietary chitosan supplementation on the productive and reproductive performance of New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. Forty healthy weaned female rabbits were randomly distributed into four experimental groups (10 females per group) and fed ad libitum for six months. A basal diet without chitosan supplementation was used as a control. The other three experimental groups were fed a basal diet plus 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 g chitosan/kg diet. After eight weeks, three females from each group were sacrificed for morphological observation of ovarian tissues. The remaining animals were used for reproductive studies by a maximum of three parities. Morphological observation of ovaries demonstrated that females fed a diet containing 0.2 g/kg chitosan had increased ovarian diameter and elevated number of mature follicles compared with the control and the other experimental groups. Receptivity, conception rate, and kindling interval were significantly (P˂0.05) higher in females fed diets containing 0.2 and 0.4 g/kg chitosan compared to the other groups. Moreover, there was a trend toward a higher average milk yield throughout the lactating period in females fed a diet containing 0.2 g/kg chitosan (P=0.904). Diets containing up to 0.4 g/kg chitosan were positively correlated with increased receptivity rate and several parities. However, diets containing up to 0.4 g/kg chitosan were negatively correlated with decreased receptivity time, kindling interval, litter size at weaning, mortality rate at weaning, bunny weight at weaning, and milk yield. The present study’s findings indicate that diets containing 0.2 g/kg chitosan improved reproductive efficiency in female NZW rabbits.

Chitosan Enhances Intestinal Health in Cats by Altering the Composition of Gut Microbiota and Metabolites.

The interaction between gut microbiota and the health of the host has gained increasing attention. Chitosan is a natural alkaline polysaccharide with a wide range of beneficial effects. However, rare studies have been observed on the effects of dietary chitosan supplementation on intestinal health in cats. A total of 30 cats with mild diarrhea were divided into three groups, receiving a basic diet with 0 (CON), 500 (L-CS) or 2000 (H-CS) mg/kg chitosan. Samples of blood and feces were collected and analyzed for serology and gut microbiota composition. The results demonstrated that chitosan alleviated symptoms of diarrhea, with enhanced antioxidant capability and decreased inflammatory biomarker levels in serum. Chitosan reshaped the composition of gut microbiota in cats that the beneficial bacteria Allobaculum was significantly increased in the H-CS group. Acetate and butyrate contents in feces were significantly higher in the H-CS group in comparison to the CON group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of dietary chitosan in cats enhanced intestinal health by modulating their intestinal microbes and improved microbiota-derived SCFA production. Our results provided insights into the role of chitosan in the gut microbiota of felines.

Growth Rate of Broiler Production Affected by Xylo-Oligosaccharides and Chitosan

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Chitosan and Xylo-oligosaccharides on broiler performance. A total of one hundred and sixty-five old-day birds were used in this study. The birds were randomly assigned into four treatments (13 chick/replicate). The control (T1) received a basal diet, T2 received (1 g/kg basal diet) Chitosan, T3 (1 g/kg basal diet) Xylo-oligosaccharides, and T4 mixed (0.5+0.5 g/kg chitosan and Xylo-oligosaccharides). The results showed that the supplementation of diets with chitosan, Xylo-oligosaccharides or mixed significantly increased body weight (g), body weight gain (g). On the other hand, birds treated with Chitosan and Xylo-oligosaccharides showed a significant difference in feed intake and FCR compared to the control treatment. We concluded that dietary supplementation of Chitosan and Xylo-oligosaccharides can improve broiler performance.

Dietary Chitosan Supplementation Modulates Hematology, Lipid Profile, Rumen Function, Antioxidant Status, and Thyroxin in Zaraibi Goat Bucks Fed on High-Fat Diets

Recently, chitosan gained a great attention due to its unique biological activities as a natural biodegradable polymer derived from chitin with non-antigenic, non-toxic. It has several positive impacts on animal health including potent antioxidant, antimicrobial activities, and anti-immunogenicity. Therefore, it is a natural, bioactive, mucoadhesive, and biocompatible compound used commonly as a safe additive in animal production. This study was conducted to detect the effects of dietary inclusion of chitosan in high-fat diet (HFD) on growth, hematology, lipid profile, rumen function, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status of Zaraibi goat bucks. Total of 18 sexually mature bucks (38.69±0.57 kg BW) were allocated into 3 groups (n= 6); the control group fed the control diet and treatment groups received HFD (the control diet with 3% fat) and the HFD plus 2.5% chitosan for 8 weeks, respectively. Results showed that HFD increase (P<0.05) final body weight, total weight gain, white blood cells (WBCs), and serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), VLDL, LDL, and malondialdehyde (MDA) with declined free T4 hormone, and HDL with the exhaustion of GSH, CAT and GPx activities beside reducing ruminal total proteins, glucose, ammonia-N, TVFA, total and L-lactate concentrations. Chitosan dietary inclusion to HFD reversed the aforementioned parameters with a notable enhancement of the antioxidant enzyme activities, suppressed the elevated MDA levels, and restored the depleted T4 level. Therefore, chitosan could be safely utilized as a dietary supplement in buck's diets to improve organ functions, lipid profile, antioxidant defense system, scavenge free radicals, and potentiate Buck's reproductive activities.

Effect of dietary chitosan supplementation on productive and physiological performance parameters of growing New Zealand white rabbits

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary chitosan supplementation on the growth performance, carcass traits, and some physiological parameters of weaned New Zealand White rabbits (NZW). Sixty-four NZWs were randomly distributed into four dietary experimental groups (n = 16) and fed a basal diet ad libitum for eight weeks: under Egyptian conditions. The basal diet without chitosan served as the control group, while the other three groups were fed diets containing 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g chitosan/kg diet. We observed significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences among chitosan treatments. Specifically, groups supplemented with chitosan in their diets had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher final body weight and weight gain, as well as an improved feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. Rabbits fed chitosan at 0.2 g/kg diet performed the best in growth traits compared to other treatment groups. Rabbits fed chitosan at 0.4 g/kg diet had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher levels of total protein in their blood than in the control group. However, levels did not differ significantly from that in the 0.2 group. Likewise, the highest (P ≤ 0.05) levels of glucose and HDL concentrations were detected in rabbits fed chitosan at a 0.2 g/kg diet. All chitosan-supplemented groups (especially at 0.2 g/kg diet) had higher economic efficiency and relative profit levels than the control group. Moreover, morphometric evaluations of the small intestine revealed higher villi number and crypt depth values in chitosan-treated animals compared to the control group. We conclude that using chitosan at levels of 0.2 or 0.4 g/kg diet can effectively improve the body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and economic efficiency, as well as the overall health status of NZW under Egyptian conditions.

Sexual behaviour response, testicular development and semen quality of New Zealand white rabbit bucks as influenced by dietary chitosan.

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary chitosan supplementation on sexual behaviour responses, testicular development, and semen quality traits of New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit bucks. Twenty-four 5-week-old rabbit bucks were used in this experiment. Animals were grouped into four equal experimental groups: the control group was fed only on a basal diet, whereas the other groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with three levels of chitosan at 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6g/kg, respectively. Also, bucks that received chitosan at 0.2 and 0.4g/kg had a significantly earlier time of sexual libido (p ≤ .05) and had significantly higher ejaculate volume and sperm concentration than other groups (p ≤ .001). Furthermore, basic and sexual behaviours were significantly improved in bucks fed chitosan at 0.2 and 0.4g/kg compared with other groups. Therefore, it could be concluded that using chitosan at 0.2 and 0.4g/kg enhanced sexual behaviour, improved semen quality, and reproductive efficiency in the NZW rabbit bucks.

Dietary Chitosan Supplementation Improved Egg Production and Antioxidative Function in Laying Breeders.

Simple SummaryChitosan is a natural, non-toxic and biodegradable compound, which has antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-tumor properties. Several studies have shown that chitosan also improve the antioxidant capacity of poultry. Recent research showed that chitosan decreased oxidative damage by activating the nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 pathway, then elevated the meat quality of broilers. Egg breeders are susceptible to oxidative stress during peak egg production, which increase their susceptibility to diseases and lead performance decline. In addition, previous reports on the effect of chitosan on poultry production performance were inconsistent. Based on above reports, this study explored whether chitosan could promote the production performance, and antioxidant defense of laying hens by affecting the nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 pathway. The results showed that addition chitosan to layer hen diet could increase egg production and feed conversion ratio, and the effect was better at the level of 250~500 mg/kg; as well as, chitosan promoted the antioxidant status in serum, liver and duodenum tissues and the effect was better at the level of 500 mg/kg. Chitosan was likely to increase antioxidant enzyme activities by enhancing the expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2, thereby improving the antioxidant capacity of laying breeders.This study was conducted to explore the dietary effect of chitosan on the production performance, and antioxidative enzyme activities and corresponding gene expression in the liver and duodenum of laying breeders. A total of 450 laying breeders (92.44% ± 0.030% of hen-day egg production) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments fed 8 weeks: maize-soybean meal as the basal control diet and the basal diet containing 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of chitosan, respectively. Each treatment was randomly divided into 6 equal replicates, with 15 laying breeders in each replicate. The results showed that dietary chitosan could increase hen-day egg production and feed conversion ratio, especially at the level of 250~500 mg/kg; however, chitosan had no prominent effect on feed intake and average egg weight. Dietary chitosan could dose-dependently promote the antioxidant status in serum, liver and duodenum of layer breeders. It has a better promotion effect at the level of 500 mg/kg; however, the effect was weakened at the level of 2000 mg/kg. Chitosan was likely to enhance the gene expression and activities of Nrf2-mediated phase II detoxification enzyme by up-regulating the expression of Nrf2, thereby improving the antioxidant capacity of laying breeder hens.

Respuesta bioquímica e inmune en tilapia roja (Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus) con suplementación de quitosano en dieta

The use of biostimulants in fish diets is a promising strategy to reduce the use of antibiotics, enhance the biochemical and immune response, which contributes to improving productive yields and reducing economic losses. The biochemical and immune response was evaluated in juvenile red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus), with different levels: 0 (control), 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% chitosan in diet. 270 animals (7.53 ± 0.50 g of initial weight), distributed in a completely randomized design of 6 treatments with 3 replicates and 45 tilapia.treatment-1, were sown in 18 tanks with 90 L of water in a closed system. The juveniles were fed for 55 days with the experimental diets and at the end of the bioassay the tissue and blood plasma samples were taken. Differences were found (p&lt;0.05) in the variables evaluated responses, where the content of lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, carbohydrates and glucose showed higher levels (p&lt;0.05) at lower chitosan concentrations. However, for protein content, a better response (p&lt;0.05) was found at higher levels of chitosan in the diet. Regarding dry matter and ash, no differences were found (p˃0.05). While superoxide dismutase and leukocytes were found in higher concentration (p&lt;0.05) when supplemented with chitosan by 3 and 4%. It was concluded that the juvenile biochemical and immune response of red tilapia was favored with dietary chitosan supplementation.

Dietary chitosan supplementation in Litopenaeus vannamei reared in a biofloc system: Effect on antioxidant status facing saline stress

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with different concentrations of chitosan from shrimp tailings on the antioxidant and immune systems of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei cultivated in a biofloc system (BFT) and subjected to abrupt salinity reduction. The experiment was performed with juvenile shrimp fed diets supplemented with four levels of chitosan: C0 (0 g kg−1 diet – control), C1 (1 g kg−1 diet), C3 (3 g kg−1 diet), and C5 (5 g kg−1 diet). After 35 days, the shrimp were exposed to an acute reduction in salinity from 30 to 5 for 24 h, and the hemolymph, gills, and hepatopancreas were collected. No significant differences were found in the growth performance and survival among treatments. In the gills, acute salinity reduction increased the activity of catalase (CAT), although this effect was reversed by the 5 g kg−1 diet (C5). Furthermore, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was maintained at the basal level in shrimp fed a 1 g kg−1 diet (C1) but reduced in those fed C3 and C5. We also identified a reduction in lipid peroxidation in shrimp fed the C3 and C5 diets. In the hepatopancreas, the GST activities and glutathione (GSH) levels were higher in shrimp supplemented with chitosan, which showed a protective effect. Saline stress and chitosan supplementation did not affect differential hemocyte counts. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that dietary intake of chitosan could enhance some antioxidant defenses of L. vannamei farmed in a BFT system. Thus, the inclusion of at least 1 g kg−1 chitosan could represent a good alternative to improve defense mechanisms and stress resistance, and it could also contribute to the development of sustainable aquaculture.

Dietary supplementation of chitosan affects milk performance, markers of inflammatory response and antioxidant status in dairy cows

High-yielding cows produce a lot of free radicals in the body due to high levels of metabolism during lactation, causing oxidative stress and susceptibility to diseases. The influence and mechanism of chitosan (CHI) on antioxidant status and inflammatory response of dairy cows is unclear. This study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of CHI on promoting milk production and antioxidant status, and reducing markers of inflammatory response of dairy cows. Forty multiple Holstein dairy cows (200 ± 15 days in milk, 34.8 ± 4.95 kg/d of milk yield) were randomly assigned to five treatments (n = 8): control (CON; without CHI addition), supplementation of CHI (mg/kg dietary DMI) with 500 (C500), 1000 (C1000), 1500 (C1500), or 2000 (C2000). The experiment period included 2 weeks for adaptation and 8 weeks for data and sample collection. Blood samples were collected on the 60th day to separate peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The results indicated that supplementation of CHI to the diet linearly increased the milk yield (P < 0.01), energy-corrected milk yield (P = 0.01), milk protein yield (P = 0.03) and lactose yield (P < 0.01) of dairy cows, quadratically increased the proportion of lactose (P = 0.03) and milk urea (P = 0.01), and linearly reduced somatic cell score (P < 0.01) in milk. With the increase of CHI, glutathione peroxidase (P = 0.03) and superoxide dismutase (P = 0.01) activity showed a quadratic increase, while CHI quadratically increased reactive oxygen species (P < 0.01) activity, and linearly reduced malondialdehyde (P = 0.01) and nitric oxide (P < 0.01) content in serum. The supplementation of CHI to the diet suppressed the activity and expression level of gene and protein of inducible nitric oxide synthase, and linearly decreased interleukin-1 content (P = 0.02) and gene expression (P = 0.02). The supplementation of CHI linearly increased the proportion of CD4+ (P < 0.01) and CD3+ (P = 0.03) T lymphocytes. The supplementation of CHI linearly down-regulated the expression of nuclear factor-κBp65 gene (P = 0.01) and phosphorylation level (P = 0.01) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and linearly inhibited the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (P < 0.01) and the production of nitric oxide (P = 0.01). The results suggested that the supplementation of CHI to the diet of dairy cows can improve the milk performance, antioxidant function and reduce pro-inflammatory mediators, which may be related to its inhibition of nuclear factor-κB pathway.

Efficacy of Chitosan Immune Response Against Listeria Monocytogenes Infection in Mice

The present research aimed to study the effect of dietary chitosan supplementation against murineexperimentally infection by Listeria monocytogenes.forty mice were divided equally into 4 groups. The 1st and 2nd groups fed on diet supplement with chitosan(1mg/kg diet) and (1.5mg /kg diet) for (4) weeks respectively, While 3rd and 4th groups considered as controlpositive and negative groups. At (4) weeks the first three groups were inoculated intraperitoneally i/P with(0.2) ml (1×109) CFU/ml, while the 4th group (control negative) inoculated with (0.2) sterile normal saline.At (7) days post infection, the result revealed diet one of mice in each control positive and treated group at(24hrs.) post infection with heavy bacterial isolation from brain, spleen and liver of infected positive groupand mild to absent bacterial isolation in the 1st and 2nd group respectively.Grossly presence of severe congestion in the internal organs with necrotic foci seen on the splenic surface ofinfected positive control while the characteristic feature in the treated infected group was hepatosplenomegaly.Sever pathological changes were noticed in the infected positive control group characterized by suppurativeinflammation with necrosis accompanied with lymphoid depletion and amyloid like substance depositionwhile the main lesion in treated infected groups showed granulomatous lesion, lymphoid hyperplasia andmononuclear cells infiltration with heavy bacterial isolation from brain, spleen and liver of infected positivegroup and mild to absent bacterial isolation in the first and second group respectively, We concluded thatchitosan stimulated and improve the immune responses in mice against Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan on carcass composition and meat quality in growing Huoyan geese

This present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan (CS) on carcass composition and meat quality in growing Huoyan geese. A total of 320 (28-day-old) growing Huoyan geese (sex balance) with similar body weight were randomly divided into the following 4 main groups: basal diet (control), basal diet + 100 mg/kg CS (CS100), basal diet + 200 mg/kg CS (CS200), and basal diet + 400 mg/kg CS (CS400) groups. Each group includes 4 replicates with 20 geese per replicate, and the feeding trail lasted for 4 wk. The results showed that the geese in CS200 group had lower abdominal fat percentage, b∗ value, shear force, crude fat content, and drip loss of breast and thigh muscle than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the CS200 group had higher glutamic acid, glycine, lysine, valine, total nonessential amino acids, total essential amino acids, total amino acids, C22:0, C16:1, C18:1, C20:1, C20:2, C20:5, total monounsaturated fatty acids concentration and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratio and lower total SFA, total PUFA concentration, and total n-6:n-3 ratio in breast muscle than the control group (P < 0.05). Taken together, these results indicated that addition of 200 mg/kg CS improved meat quality in growing Huoyan geese through altering slaughter performance, meat traits, amino acids, and fatty acids composition.

Effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan on immune function in growing Huoyan geese

This present experiment was performed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan (CS) on immune function in growing Huoyan geese. A total of 320 28-day-old healthy growing Huoyan geese (sex balance) with similar body weight were randomly allotted into control, CS100, CS200, and CS400 groups. Each group includes 4 replicates with 20 geese per replicate, and the feeding trial lasted for 4 wk. The 4 diets contained 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg CS per kg feed, respectively. The results showed that compared with the control group, the relative weight of thymus, serum concentrations of IGF-I, INS, GH, T3, T4, IgM, IgG, IgA, complement C3, and IL-2 in CS200 group were significantly higher at both 42 and 56 D of age, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, relative weight of bursa of fabricius (BF), spleen, serum complement C4, and TNF-a concentrations in CS200 group were higher at 56 D of age (P < 0.05), no differences were observed at 42 D of age (P > 0.05). These results indicated that addition of 200 mg/kg CS enhanced immune organs weight, serum concentrations of immunoglobulins, complements, hormone, as well as cytokines, and improved immune function of growing Huoyan geese.

Evaluation of dietary chitosan effects on growth performance, immunity, body composition and histopathology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as well as the resistance toStreptococcus agalactiaeinfection

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary chitosan supplementation on growth performance, body composition, immune response and histopathology of Nile tilapia, and also the in vitro antibacterial activity of chitosan against Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae). About 180 fish (average body weight 39.3 ± 0.3 g) were randomly divided into three groups according to chitosan supplementation: control group (basal diet without chitosan), Ch3 group (3 g chitosan/kg diet) and Ch5 group (5 g chitosan/kg diet). Growth performance parameters and body proximate composition were measured before infection but biochemical parameters and lysozyme and antibacterial activities before and after experimental infection. Results of the present investigation showed dietary chitosan (5 g chitosan/kg diet) significantly (p < .05) improved growth performance parameters, body composition (dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash, and carbohydrate) and serum biochemistry (total protein, albumin, globulin, with no effect on AST, ALT, urea and creatinine) before infection in Ch5 group than the control. After infection, liver enzymes (serum AST and ALT) were maintained lower in fish fed Ch3 or Ch5 than the control. Serum lysozyme and bactericidal activities significantly increased (p < .05) in chitosan groups before and after the challenge. The mortality rate was markedly reduced in the Ch3 group and prohibited in the Ch5 group after the experimental infection. In conclusion, feeding 3 or 5 g chitosan/kg diet increased the growth rate and improved FCR of Nile tilapia. In addition, it reduced mortality by its antibacterial and immunostimulant effects.

Effects of dietary chitosan supplementation on farmed fish; a review

AbstractChitosan is a cationic polysaccharide that is primarily derived from chitin, a natural polymer of N‐acetyl glucosamine mainly found in crustacean, insect exoskeletons and fungal cell walls, by exhaustive alkaline deacetylation to varying degrees. Chitosan has been found to have many favourable biological properties including biosafety, biodegradability and biocompatibility. These advantages make it a very promising material for diverse applications. For terrestrial animals, chitosan has been widely used as a feed additive because of its low side effects, enhancing the growth performance, improving immune functions, inhibition intestinal microbial pathogens and lowering cholesterol. Recently, it has been used as a feed additive in fish diets. Moreover, chitosan has gained an attention as an effective agent in aquaculture water treatment. A number of studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of the use of chitosan in aquaculture. Thus, the present review explored the current state of knowledge on the effects of dietary chitosan on farmed aquatic animals including antimicrobial, growth promoting, antioxidant activity and immunostimulation effects, with a particular emphasis on the optimal dose of chitosan. As well as, this review pointed out the possibility of using chitosan in aquaculture water treatment. According to the studies that were discussed in this review, chitosan is considered as a promising material with a massive potential of applications in aquaculture.