Dietary Vitamin E Research Articles

PSV-22 Effects of different fat sources and vitamin E levels/isoforms on growth performance, antioxidant status, and fatty acid profile in the liver of pigs grown to 150 kg

Abstract The study objective was to assess the contribution of fat source and vitamin E (VE) supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status, and fatty acid profile in the liver of pigs at heavy slaughter weight (148.09 ±1.64 kg). A total of 72 individually-fed pigs (36 barrows, 36 gilts; 28.55 ±1.16 kg) were randomly assigned to 12 dietary treatments in a 2 × 6 factorial arrangement. Fat treatments were tallow and corn-oil. The VE treatments included four levels of α-tocopheryl-acetate (ATA; 11, 40, 100, and 200 ppm) and two levels of mixed tocopherols (primarily γ-tocopherol; 40 and 100 ppm). Liver samples were collected at slaughter. Data analysis were performed by ANOVA using GLM in SAS. No effect of dietary fat sources, isoforms of VE, and levels of γ-tocopherol were detected on growth performance or liver antioxidant status (GSH, GSSG, SOD, and MDA). Increasing dietary ATA linearly increased overall ADG (0.98, 1.02, 1.02, and 1.08 kg/day; P = 0.02) from 28 to 150 kg; overall ADG of pigs fed γ-tocopherol-diets was 1.07 and 1.04 kg/day, respectively. An interaction between fat sources and ATA was observed on cumulative ADG during Phase1-3 (28-100 kg; P = 0.04) and Phase1-4 (28-125 kg; P = 0.03) wherein pigs fed corn-oil-diet, but not tallow-diet, had increased ADG with increased dietary ATA. Increasing dietary ATA quadratically increased SOD activity (P < 0.05; highest at 100 ppm), and quadratically decreased MDA content (P < 0.05; lowest at 40 ppm) in the liver. Liver fatty acid profile was affected by fat source (P < 0.05) but not VE treatment, pigs fed corn-oil-diets had less SFA (34.23 vs. 35.45%; P = 0.02) and MUFA (11.98 vs. 18.38%; P < 0.0001), but more PUFA (49.14 vs. 40.78%; P < 0.0001) than pigs fed tallow-diets in the liver. Beneficial effects of dietary VE supplementation were observed on growth performance and antioxidant status of pigs under conditions of this study.

Dietary and serum vitamins A and E and colorectal cancer risk in Chinese population: a case-control study.

The effect of vitamin A (VA) and vitamin E (VE) on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk is controversial. The aim of this study is to examine the association between serum concentrations and dietary intakes of VA and VE and the risk of CRC in Guangdong, China. A total of 535 cases and 552 sex and age-matched (5-year interval) controls were recruited during July 2010 to September 2014. Dietary information was assessed by face-to-face interviews using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Concentrations of VA and VE were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) after adjusting for various potential confounders. A higher intake of VA and VE was found to be associated with 52 and 43% reduction in CRC risk. The ORs of the highest quartile compared with the lowest quartile intake were 0.48 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.73, Ptrend<0.01) for VA and 0.57 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.88, Ptrend<0.01) for VE. An inverse association was also found between serum retinol and CRC risk, with an adjusted OR (95% CI) of 0.28 (0.19-0.43) (Ptrend<0.01). However, no statistically significant association was found between serum α-tocopherol and CRC risk. Stratified analysis by sex showed that serum retinol and dietary VA and VE were inversely associated with CRC risk in both sexes. This study supported the hypothesis that lower serum levels of retinol and lower intakes of VA and VE were associated with the risk of CRC in a Chinese population.

Dietary vitamin E affects small intestinal histomorphology, digestive enzyme activity, and the expression of nutrient transporters by inhibiting proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells within jejunum in weaned piglets1.

Vitamin E (VE) is an indispensable vitamin in piglet feed formula. Among other things, it affects tissues including small intestine tissues and in particular its major unit intestinal epithelial cells. Previously, limited in vivo experiments have focused on the effect of VE on the intestine, particularly digestion and absorption. VE has been shown to inhibit proliferation of some types of cells. This experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that VE affects intestinal functions by influencing the intestinal epithelial cell proliferation. Thirty 21-d old weaned [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] piglets with BWs of 6.36 ± 0.55 kg were randomly divided into five VE-containing feeding formula groups. The treatments were (i) 0 IU (control), (ii) 16 IU, (iii) 32 IU, (iv) 4. 80 IU, and (v) 5. 160 IU. The treatments lasted 14 d. At the end of the experiment, all subjects were sacrificed to obtain blood and tissue samples. The results suggest that VE did not affect the growth performance. VE did tend to decrease jejunal crypt depth (linear, P = 0.056) and villus width (linear, P < 0.05). Sucrase activity significantly decreased in the adding 80 IU VE compared with the control (P < 0.05). Jejunal crypt, cell proliferation in 80 IU group significantly decreased compared with the control group (P < 0.05). This study suggests that dietary VE may affect intestinal morphology and functions by inhibiting weaned piglet jejunal epithelial cell proliferation.

Dietary L-carnitine and vitamin-E; a strategy to combat ochratoxin-A induced immunosuppression

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary ochratoxin A (OA), in the presence and absence of L-carnitine (LC) and vitamin E (VE), on the humoral immune responses of White Leghorn cockerels (WLC). One-day old white male Leghorn chicks were divided into 12 groups, having 20 birds each and were offered ration contaminated with OA (1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg feed) alone and concurrently with LC (1.0 g/kg) and/or VE (0.2 g/kg), for 42 days. The humoral immune responses were accessed by lymphoproliferative response to avian tuberculin, in-vivo phagosomes activity to carbon particles and antibody response to the sheep red blood cells (SRBCs). The dietary addition of OA alone suppressed the humoral immune responses, however, the exposure of birds to 1.0 mg/kg OA in the presence of LC and/or VE showed a significant reduction in OA induced immunotoxicity. This protective response was absent in the birds fed 2.0 mg/kg OA in the presence and absence of LC and/or VE. Histopathological and morphometric examination of the bursa of Fabricius exhibited a decrease in the severity and frequency of OA induced lesions in the presence of dietary LC and/or VE. The use of LC and VE as dietary supplement, can effectively overcome OA (≤1.0 mg/kg) induced immunosuppression.

Impacts of selenium and vitamin E supplementation on mRNA of heat shock proteins, selenoproteins and antioxidants in broilers exposed to high temperature

The study was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary selenium (Se) and vitamin E (VE) supplementation on mRNA level of heat shock proteins, selenoproteins, and antioxidant enzyme activities in the breast meat of broilers under summer heat stress conditions. A total of 200 male broilers (Ross 308) of 1 day age were randomly separated into 4 groups in a complete randomized design and were given a basal diet (Control, 0.08 mg Se/kg diet) or basal diet supplemented with VE (250 mg/kg VE), sodium selenite (0.2 mg/kg Se), or Se + VE (0.2 mg/kg Se + 250 mg/kg VE) to investigate the expression of key antioxidant and heat shock protein (HSP) genes under high temperature stress. Dietary Se, VE and Se + VE significantly enhanced the activities and mRNA levels of catalase as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) but decreased the mRNA levels of HSP70 and HSP90. Se alone or combined with VE increased the concentration of selenoprotein P and selenoproteins mRNA level and decreased the expression of HSP60. In addition, Se and Se + VE significantly enhanced the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and the expression of GPx1 and GPx4 in breast muscle tissues. It is noteworthy that all the treatments significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the breast meat. Overall results showed that Se in combination with VE has maximal effects to mitigate heat stress. Based on given results it can be recommended that Se + VE are a suitable dietary supplement for broilers to ameliorate the negative effects of summer heat stress conditions.

Supplementing dietary rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) powder and vitamin E in broiler chickens: evaluation of humoral immune response, lymphoid organs, and blood proteins.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) powder (RP) and vitamin E (VE) at different levels on humoral immunity of broilers during a 42-day production cycle. A total of 270 1-day-old male chicks were assigned to nine groups with three replicates of ten birds each, and diets were supplemented with 0, 0.5, or 1.0% RP and 0, 100, or 200mg/kg VE, respectively. Commercial-inactivated vaccines against avian influenza (AI) and Newcastle disease (ND) viruses, and living infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccine were administered by spray method. Sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were administered subcutaneously. Blood samples were collected from birds 1week after each vaccination to determine antibody titers. At the 42nd day, blood samples were also assessed for globulin level, and lymphoid tissues (thymus, spleen, and bursa) were weighed. Neither antibody titers against viruses nor lymphoid tissues weight were affected by RP and/or VE (P > 0.05) treatments. However, broilers supplemented with 0mg/kg of VE had lower antibody titers against SRBC than those fed 100mg/kg of VE (P < 0.05) at the 24th day. A significant RP × VE interaction effect (P < 0.05) on plasma globulin level was observed. The findings of our study suggest that dietary RP and VE additives can interact and modulate the humoral immunity of broilers, but not sufficiently to improve antibody titers against specific virus during a 42-day production cycle.

Effects of dietary vitamin E supplementation on growth performance, fatty acid composition, lipid peroxidation and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) expressions in juvenile blunt snout bream Megalobrama amblycephala.

A 9-week feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin E (VE) supplementation on growth performance, liver fatty acid composition, lipid peroxidation and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) genes expressions in blunt snout bream juveniles. Fish (average initial weight: 0.59g) were fed diet supplemented with 0, 50, 100, 300 and 500mg α-tocopherol acetate/kg in triplicates, which were found to, respectively, contain 11.2, 56.3, 114.6, 306.5 and 588.4mg α-tocopherol/kg diet. Results showed that final weight, body weight gain and specific growth rate significantly increased with increasing dietary VE supplemented level from 11.2 to 56.3mg/kg. When the broken-line model was employed to estimate the adequate requirement of vitamin E based on body weight gain, the optimal level was 55.5mg/kg in diet. Hepatosomatic index value significantly decreased with incremental dietary VE levels. However, liver VE concentration showed a direct relationship with the dietary VE level. The percentages of 20:5n-3, 22:6n-3 and total n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in liver increased with increasing dietary VE supplementation. Meanwhile, the expressions of PPAR-α, PPAR-β and PPAR-γ in liver were down-regulated by supplementation of dietary VE level from 56.3 to 588.4mg/kg. In conclusion, supplementation of more than 55.5mg/kg vitamin E may improve growth and increase n-3 LC-PUFA content in blunt snout bream, which is beneficial to human consumer.

Dietary vitamin E improves meat quality and antioxidant capacity in broilers by upregulating the expression of antioxidant enzyme genes

ABSTRACTA total of 240 one-day-old broiler chicks were divided into 3 treatments with 4 replicates of 20 birds. The birds were fed a corn–soybean meal diet supplemented with 0, 100, and 200 mg/kg vitamin E (VE), respectively. The results indicated that VE supplementation led to a significant decrease in shear force (P < .05), and showed higher b* values and lower a* values (P < .05). Dietary supplementation with VE significantly increased VE concentration in serum compared to that in the control group (P < .05). Total antioxidant capacity activity in breast muscle or serum was increased with the increase in dietary VE supplementation in a dose-dependent manner (P < .05). Total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were linearly increased with the increase in dietary VE (P < .05), while malondialdehyde content decreased linearly (P < .05). The mRNA expression of SOD and GSH-Px in liver was linearly increased with the increase in dietary VE (P < .05). These findings suggest that dietary VE could increase meat quality by upregulating the expression of antioxidant enzyme genes in broilers.

Genetic Variations Involved in Vitamin E Status.

Vitamin E (VE) is the generic term for four tocopherols and four tocotrienols that exhibit the biological activity of α-tocopherol. VE status, which is usually estimated by measuring fasting blood VE concentration, is affected by numerous factors, such as dietary VE intake, VE absorption efficiency, and VE catabolism. Several of these factors are in turn modulated by genetic variations in genes encoding proteins involved in these factors. To identify these genetic variations, two strategies have been used: genome-wide association studies and candidate gene association studies. Each of these strategies has its advantages and its drawbacks, nevertheless they have allowed us to identify a list of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with fasting blood VE concentration and α-tocopherol bioavailability. However, much work remains to be done to identify, and to replicate in different populations, all the single nucleotide polymorphisms involved, to assess the possible involvement of other kind of genetic variations, e.g., copy number variants and epigenetic modifications, in order to establish a reliable list of genetic variations that will allow us to predict the VE status of an individual by knowing their genotype in these genetic variations. Yet, the potential usefulness of this area of research is exciting with regard to personalized nutrition and for future clinical trials dedicated to assessing the biological effects of the various isoforms of VE.

Selenium and vitamin E in sow diets: II. Effect on selenium status and antioxidant status of the progeny

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of 2 selenium (Se) sources and 2 vitamin E (VE) levels in gestating and lactating diets of sows on Se status and antioxidant status of their progenies at farrowing and 21-d postpartum. The study was conducted in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of Se sources (0.30mg/kg diet of sodium selenite or Se-enriched yeast) and VE levels (30 or 90IU/kg diet). A total of 234 multiparous sows were bred and started on 1 of 4 dietary treatment according to parity and body condition, and then maintained on feed until 21-d postpartum. At farrowing and at weaning, 8 piglets per treatment (1 piglet/litter) were selected on similar body weight and sampled to ensure 6 piglet samples per treatment. The Se content was determined in serum, whole blood, umbilical cord blood and tissues, whereas antioxidant status of liver and serum were determined by analyzing the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. The newly-born piglets from sows fed organic Se had higher Se contents in kidney (P<0.05) and loin (P<0.10), higher serum T-AOC (P<0.05) and SOD activity (P<0.05), lower serum MDA content (P<0.05), and higher hepatic T-AOC (P<0.05), and GSH content (P<0.05) than newborns from sows fed inorganic Se. The 21-d-old nursery piglets from sows fed organic Se have higher Se contents in heart (P<0.10), pancreas (P<0.05), thymus gland (P<0.05), thyroid and loin (P<0.05), higher serum GSH content (P<0.05), lower serum MDA content (P<0.05), and higher hepatic T-AOC (P<0.05) and GSH content (P<0.05), and greater SOD activity (P<0.10), than 21-d-old piglets from sows fed inorganic Se. No source×VE level interaction was evident for Se status and antioxidant status of the progeny (P>0.05) expect for hepatic Se content of newborns and serum Se content of 21-d-old piglets (P<0.05). The α-tocopherol level in serum of newborn and weaning piglets increased when sows fed elevated VE diet (P<0.05). In summary, Se status and antioxidant status of the progeny including newborns and 21-d-old nursery piglets were improved when Se was added as organic Se instead of inorganic Se in sow diet. However, the Se status and antioxidant status of the progeny were scarcely unaffected by maternal dietary Se source×VE level interaction. When sows were fed the treatment diets from breeding until weaning, sows fed organic Se had more weaned piglets with similar individual pig weight at weaning compared with sows fed inorganic Se.

Dietary Vitamin E Is More Effective than Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acid for Improving The Kinematic Characteristics of Rat Sperm.

Although key roles for dietary vitamin E (VITE) and fatty acid (FA) in fertility have been confirmed, limited data are available on the effects of VITE alone, or a constant level of VITE supplemented by dietary omega-6 and omega-3 FAs in combination on male reproduction. Consequently in this paper, the effects of VITE, sunflower oil, fish oil and their combination on rat sperm were investigated. We divided 50 mature male Wistar rats into 5 groups (n=10) in a experimental completely randomized design for eight weeks: i. Control (CTR): standard diet; ii. Vitamin E diet (VITE): 2 times greater than recommendations; iii. Sunflower oil group (n-6) [gavaged with 0.5 ml/day/rat sunflower oil+VITE diet]; iv. Fish oil group (n-3): [gavaged with 0.5 ml/day/rat fish oil+VITE diet] and v. n-3+n-6 group [gavaged with 0.3 ml fish oil/day/rat+0.2 ml sunflower oil/day/rat+VITE diet]. The sperm parameters were measured by computer assisted semen analyzer (CASA). All data were analyzed with SPSS software. Feed intake decreased in groups which were administered sunflower oil compared with the other groups (P<0.05). The groups which received only VITE or fish oil+VITE had a significantly higher concentration of sperm compared with the n-6+n-3 and CTR group (P<0.05). VITE and n-3 showed significant improved progressive motility compared to the CTR group, whereas the n-6 and n-6+n-3 groups were in the middle (P<0.05). The highest sperm kinematic parameters were observed in the VITE only group. There was no strong correlation between sperm parameters and blood lipid profiles. Dietary VITE and fish oil+VITE can improve sperm quality. Our findings can be a focus for improvements in sperm quantity and motility in fertile animals using only dietary VITE.

Selenium and vitamin E together improve intestinal epithelial barrier function and alleviate oxidative stress in heat-stressed pigs.

What is the central question of this study? Oxidative stress may play a role in compromising intestinal epithelial barrier integrity in pigs subjected to heat stress, but it is unknown whether an increase of dietary antioxidants (selenium and vitamin E) could alleviate gut leakiness in heat-stressed pigs. What is the main finding and its importance? Levels of dietary selenium (1.0p.p.m.) and vitamin E (200IUkg(-1) ) greater than those usually recommended for pigs reduced intestinal leakiness caused by heat stress. This finding suggests that oxidative stress plays a role in compromising intestinal epithelial barrier integrity in heat-stressed pigs and also provides a nutritional strategy for mitigating these effects. Heat stress compromises the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity of mammals through mechanisms that may include oxidative stress. Our objective was to test whether dietary supplementation with antioxidants, selenium (Se) and vitaminE (VE), protects intestinal epithelial barrier integrity in heat-stressed pigs. Female growing pigs (n = 48) were randomly assigned to four diets containing from 0.2p.p.m. Se and 17 IUkg(-1) VE (control, National Research Council recommended) to 1.0p.p.m. Se and 200 IU kg(-1) VE for 14days. Six pigs from each dietary treatment were then exposed to either thermoneutral (20°C) or heat-stress conditions (35°C 09.00-17.00h and 28°C overnight) for 2days. Transepithelial electrical resistance and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (4kDa; FD4) permeability were measured in isolated jejunum and ileum using Ussing chambers. Rectal temperature, respiratory rate and intestinal HSP70 mRNA abundance increased (all P <0.001), and respiratory alkalosis occurred, suggesting that pigs were heat stressed. Heat stress also increased FD4 permeability and decreased transepithelial electrical resistance (both P<0.01). These changes were associated with changes indicative of oxidative stress, a decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and an increased glutathione disulfide (GSSG)-to-glutathione (GSH) ratio (both P<0.05). With increasing dosage of Se and VE, GPX-2 mRNA (P = 0.003) and GPX activity (P = 0.049) increased linearly, the GSSG:GSH ratio decreased linearly (P = 0.037), and the impacts of heat stress on intestinal barrier function were reduced (P<0.05 for both transepithelial electrical resistance and FD4 permeability). In conclusion, in pigs an increase of dietary Se and VE mitigated the impacts of heat stress on intestinal barrier integrity, associated with a reduction in oxidative stress.

Effect of dietary fish oil with or without vitamin E supplementation on fresh and cryopreserved ovine sperm

This study was carried out to determine whether dietary fish oil (FO) with or without vitamin E (VE) supplementation would have a beneficial effect on characteristics of fresh and cryopreserved ovine sperm. Sixteen rams were allotted to four groups and fed one of the four diets: control diet (CON; without FO and VE supplementation), VE diet supplying 200 IU VE/day.ram, FO diet containing 2.5% (dry matter basis) FO, and OVE diet containing FO and VE. Semen samples were collected at Weeks 7, 9 and 11 for evaluation of seminal quality. Frozen samples from Weeks 9 and 11 were subjected to computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Seminal volume, percentage of sperm with normal morphology and intact acrosome and seminal concentration of malondialdehyde were increased in FO rams (P &lt; 0.05). In VE rams, semen volume and percentage of morphologically normal sperm were higher compared with CON rams; however, in OVE rams these attributes were not different from those in CON rams. Other traits in fresh semen were not affected by the diet. Fish oil alone negatively affected the sperm viability, but not motility, of the frozen–thawed semen; however, simultaneous supplementation with FO and VE resulted in increased percentage of morphologically normal sperm, motility, and viability. The percentages of CASA type A (showing rapid progressive motility) and type B (showing medium progressive motility) sperm were higher in OVE compared with other groups. Vitamin E supplementation decreased the beat-cross frequency values compared with other groups. Other CASA parameters were not affected by the diets. In conclusion, dietary FO and VE in the breeding season of ram, generally, do not cause significant changes in fresh sperm quality but, for cryopreservation of sperm, supplementation of the diet with an antioxidant such as VE may be beneficial when polyunsaturated fatty acids are added to the diet.

Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying seed vitamin E content in soybean with main, epistatic and QTL × environment effects

AbstractSoybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seed contains small amounts of tocopherol, a non‐enzymatic antioxidant known as lipid‐soluble vitamin E (VE). Dietary VE contributes to a decreased risk of chronic diseases in humans and has several beneficial effects on resistance to stress in plants, and increasing VE content is an important breeding goal for increasing the nutritional value of soybean. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying VE content with main, epistatic and QTL × environment effects were identified in a population of F5 : 6 recombinant inbred lines from a cross between ‘Hefeng 25’ (a low‐VE cultivar) and ‘OAC Bayfield’ (a high‐VE cultivar). A total of 18 QTLs were detected that showed additive main effects (a) and/or additive × environment interaction effects (ae) in different environments. Moreover, 19 epistatic pairs of QTLs were found to be associated with α‐tocopherol (α‐Toc), γ‐tocopherol (γ‐Toc), δ‐tocopherol (δ‐Toc) and total VE (TE) contents. The QTLs identified in multienvironments could provide more information about QTL by environment interactions and could be useful for the marker‐assistant selection of soybean cultivars with high seed VE contents.

Interactive effects of dietary magnesium and vitamin E on growth performance, body composition, blood parameters and antioxidant status in Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus) fed oxidized oil

A study was conducted to investigate effects and interactions of magnesium (Mg) and vitamin E (VE) on growth performance, body composition, hepatic antioxidant capacity and serum biochemistry parameters of juvenile Japanese seabass Lateolabrax japonicus under oxidative stress condition. Fish (initial average body weight of 6.10 ± 0.20 g) were fed 9 oxidized oil diets supplemented with 3 grade levels of Mg (0, 520 and 1570 mg kg−1 diet) and VE (0, 60 and 200 mg kg−1 diet) for 8 weeks in freshwater. The results showed that diets supplemented 520 mg kg−1 Mg and/or 60 mg kg−1 VE had highest growth and muscle lipid content. There were highest total superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities and lowest malondialdehyde content in liver of fish fed diets supplemented 520 mg kg−1 Mg and/or 60 mg kg−1 VE. Contrary to Mg concentrations, Ca concentrations and Ca/Mg ratio in whole body were inversely related to dietary Mg levels. However, combined deficiency or excess of dietary Mg and VE led to the decrease of hepatic antioxidant capacity, body lipid deposition and growth of Japanese seabass under oxidative stress condition.

Effects of dietary supplementation with ferulic Acid or vitamin e individually or in combination on meat quality and antioxidant capacity of finishing pigs.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E (VE), ferulic acid (FA) and their combination supplementation on meat quality and antioxidant capacities of finishing pigs. Sixty barrows were randomly allocated to four experimental diets using a 2×2 factorial arrangement with 2 VE supplemental levels (0 or 400 mg/kg) and 2 FA supplemental levels (0 or 100 mg/kg) in basal diets. After 28 days, six pigs per treatment were slaughtered. The results showed that VE supplementation increased loin eye area of pigs (p<0.05) and FA supplementation increased pH45min value (p<0.05). The interaction of FA×VE was observed in shear force of longissimus dorsi muscle (p<0.05). Moreover, supplementation with VE decreased hepatic and sarcous malondialdehyde (MDA) content, increased hepatic glutathione (GSH) content and sarcous glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (p<0.05). Additionally, supplementation with FA increased hepatic GSH-Px activity and decreased sarcous MDA content (p<0.05). However, dietary treatment did not affect the expression of genes related to nuclear factor, erythroid 2-like 2 (NFE2L2) pathway. These results suggest that dietary FA and VE could partially improve meat quality and antioxidant capacity of finishing pigs, but not by activating NFE2L2 pathway under the normal conditions of farming.

Effects of vitamin E supplementation on growth, lipid peroxidation and fatty acid composition of Dojo loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus Cantor) fingerlings

A high mortality of cultured loach during their early development has constrained loach aquaculture industry in China. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin E (VE) supplementation on growth performance, lipid peroxidation and fatty acid composition of loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus fingerlings. Six test diets supplemented with 0 (0E), 50 (50E), 100 (100E), 150 (150E), 200 (200E) and 500 mg kg−1 (500E) of dl-α-tocopheryl acetate were fed loach fingerlings (mean initial weight 24.0 ± 0.2 mg) in triplicate for 40 days. Results showed that the fish fed diet 100E and 200E had significantly higher body weight gains and specific growth ratios and significantly lower feed conversion ratios compared with fish fed diet 0E. With the increase in dietary VE level, whole-body VE content was significantly increased (except 500E) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value was significantly reduced. Increasing dietary VE level increased the percentages of 20:4n-6 and 20:5n-3 in neutral lipid fraction, but decreased the percentages of 20:4n-6 and 20:5n-3 in polar lipid fraction. In conclusion, VE requirement of loach fingerlings for optimum growth and functionally preventing lipid peroxidation was 136.1 mg kg−1 of dry diet under the present experimental conditions.

Effects of vitamin E on expressions of eight microRNAs in the liver of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Currently, microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to regulate cellular processes such as apoptosis, differentiation, cell cycle, and immune functions, and their expression can be altered by distinct stress conditions, such as oxidative stress. In immune systems of fish, vitamin E (VE) has a defined role as an antioxidant. In order to understand the molecular mechanism of vitamin E defending from oxidative stress, three groups of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (initial weight 3.25 ± 0.02 g) were fed to satiation with 3 semi-purified diets containing VE (dl-α-tocopherol acetate) of 0, 50, and 2500 mg/kg supplementation, respectively, with the expressions of eight miRNAs (miR-21, miR-223, miR-146a, miR-125b, miR-181a, miR-16, miR-155 and miR-122) in the liver of tilapia subsequently detected after 8-week growth experiment. Results showed that VE-deficient (0 mg/kg supplementation) decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and decreased the expressions of miR-223, miR-146a, miR-16 and miR-122, while excessive supplementation of VE (2500 mg/kg) decreased SOD activity and increased the expressions of all the eight miRNAs. The targets of the eight miRNAs were further predicated with bioinformatic approach and the possible regulating mechanisms of VE via miRNAs were analyzed. The present study confirmed that the differences in dietary VE affected expression of hepatic miRNAs which may partly demonstrate the molecular mechanism of VE, and the new idea of introducing miRNAs into research will provide the basic data for researches of molecular nutrition.

Effects of vitamin E and selenium yeast on growth performance and immune function in ducks fed maize naturally contaminated with aflatoxin B1

This study was conducted to determine the effects of a combined vitamin E (VE) and selenium yeast (SeY) supplementation on growth performance, blood profiles, relative organ weight, and immune function in ducks fed diets containing maize naturally contaminated with a variety of mycotoxins, but primarily aflatoxin (AFB1). A total of 448 ducks were blocked on the basis of sex and body weight, and then randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with 2 levels of AFB1 contaminated maize (0 or 100%) and 2 VE and SeY levels (0IU VE and 0mgSeY/kg or 50 IU VE and 0.2mgSeY/kg) for a 28-d study period. There were 7 replications (pens) per treatment and 16 birds per pen. Detectable levels of other toxins were present but that only AFB1 exceeded limits, and the level of the AFB1 was 196.8μg/kg in the contaminated maize, 130.5 and 142.4μg/kg in the 100% contaminated starter diets with or without VE and SeY, respectively, and 152.6 and 157.1μg/kg in the 100% contaminated grower diets with or without VE and SeY, respectively. Ducks fed AFB1 contaminated maize diets had lower (P<0.05) ADG and ADFI, and greater (P<0.05) death rates during the whole experiment. The supplementation of VE and SeY increased (P<0.05) FCR during d 0 to 14 but decreased (P<0.05) ADFI during d 15 to 28 and 0 to 28. Interactions were observed (P<0.05) in ducks fed AFB1 contaminated diets. Feeding AFB1 contaminated maize diets increased (P<0.05) the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, whereas the levels of total protein, albumin, and globulin decreased (P<0.05) at both d 14 and 28. However, VE and SeY had no consistent effects. The lymphocyte proliferation and acid α-naphthylacetate esterase positive ratios (ANAE+) were decreased (P<0.05) by the inclusion of AFB1 contaminated diets during the whole experiment but benefited from VE and SeY supplementation. Dietary VE and SeY improved (P<0.05) the levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) throughout the experiment. Avian influenza (H5N1) antibody titer was reduced (P<0.05) by the inclusion of AFB1 contaminated maize without VE and SeY supplementation. Ducks fed AFB1 contaminated maize diets had greater (P<0.05) relative weights of spleen and bursa of fabricius but lower (P<0.05) thymus, and the supplementation of VE and SeY increased (P<0.05) the relative bursa of fabricius weight in the presence of contaminated maize. Interactive effects were observed (P<0.05) in ANAE+ and IL-2 on d 28 and relative weight of bursa of fabricius. In conclusion, feeding AFB1 contaminated maize caused adverse effects on growth performance, immunity, and relative immune organ weight in ducks, while dietary addition of VE and SeY partially counteracted the negative effects of AFB1 on growth and death rate.

Effect of extra dietary vitamin E on preventing nutritional myopathy in broiler chickens

SUMMARY Nutritional myopathy in broiler chickens is a condition that is generally asymptomatic but leads to a loss of meat quality. This condition could sometimes be associated with suboptimal or deficient levels of vitamin E (VE) in the diet. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of extra dietary VE in a commercial diet on muscle integrity and to determine an efficient diagnostic test for early detection of muscle damage, to subsequently adjust VE levels in the diet. One-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 2 diet treatments: a commercial diet in which up to 50 mg/kg of VE was added, or a commercial diet with no extra VE. At 28, 35, 42, and 49 d, blood samples were taken to measure plasma VE and creatine kinase (CK) activity. Both pectoralis superficialis and adductor magnus muscles were sampled for histological examination, and degenerated fibers were counted. Plasma levels of VE were higher in chickens from the test group (P = 0.001), whereas CK activity was not different between groups (P = 0.20). Less damaged fibers were also observed in the pectoral muscle at 28 d in chickens receiving the diet supplemented with extra VE. Therefore, adding VE to the conventional diet increased plasma VE and mildly decreased the number of damaged fibers in the pectoral muscle of young broilers. Blood CK activity was not a reliable biochemical indicator of mild muscle degeneration in broiler chickens.