Total Antioxidant Capacity Activity Research Articles

Changes of oxidative status in yellowfin seabream larvae (Acanthopagrus latus) during development

Dynamic changes of tissues, organs and growth that occur in fish larvae during the transition to the juvenile stage are accompanied by differences in metabolic, locomotor and feeding activities that can reflect on fish's oxidative status. In this study, we examine how body growth, antioxidant system (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and oxidative damage (malondialdehyde-MDA) parameters change in larvae of yellowfin seabream larvae (Acanthopagrus latus) during early development (0, 7, 15, 22 and 30 day after hatching-DAH). Body growth (length and weight) starts to intensify from 15 DAH. We observed general increase in the antioxidant system (AOS) with the age of larvae from newly hatched and 7 DAH up to 15 and 22 DAH individuals. 15 and 22 DAH larvae had the greatest levels of TAC, SOD and GR activity, while 30 DAH larvae had higher CAT activity from 0, 7 and 15 DAH and MDA concentration in comparison to 15 DAH individuals. Several developmental events can be linked with observed results: lower AOS in 0 and 7 DAH individuals with low locomotor activity, growth, endo-exogenous feeding phase and cell differentiation; 15 and 22 DAH larvae are under pressure of fast growth, enhanced swimming and foraging capacity; while higher MDA production in 30 DAH larvae can be a result of shifts in muscle metabolism, changes in both quality and quantity of food and a significant increase in weight. The present study provides insight into the changes in redox status during the ontogeny of A. latus, fish species about which physiology is still little known but with a potential for use in marine culture. Ability to lower oxidative stress during critical developmental periods can enhance that potential.

Effects of dietary tryptophan on the antioxidant capacity and immune response associated with TOR and TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways in northern snakehead, Channa argus (Cantor, 1842).

Dietary tryptophan (Trp) has been shown to influence fish feed intake, growth, immunity and inflammatory responses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of Trp on immune system of juvenile northern snakehead (Channa argus Cantor, 1842). A total of 540 fish (10.21 ± 0.11g) were fed six experimental diets containing graded levels of Trp at 1.9, 3.0, 3.9, 4.8, 5.9 and 6.8 g/kg diet for 70 days, respectively. The results showed that supplementation of 1.9-4.8 g/kg Trp in diets had no effect on the hepatosomatic index (HSI) and renal index (RI), while dietary 3.9 and 4.8 g/kg Trp significantly increased spleen index (SI) of fish. Dietary 3.9, 4.8, 5.9 and 6.8 g/kg Trp enhanced the total hemocyte count (THC), the activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Malondinaldehyde (MDA) levels in the blood were significantly decreased by consuming 3.9 and 4.8 g/kg Trp. Fish fed with 3.0 and 3.9 g/kg Trp diets up-regulated interleukin 6 (il-6) and interleukin 8 (il-8) mRNA levels. The expression of tumor necrosis factor α (tnf-α) was highest in fish fed with 3.0 g/kg Trp diet, and the expression of interleukin 1β (il-1β) was highest in fish fed with 3.9 g/kg Trp diet. Dietary 4.8, 5.9 and 6.8 g/kg Trp significantly decreased il-6 and tnf-α mRNA levels in the intestine. Moreover, Trp supplementation was also beneficial to the mRNA expression of interleukin 22 (il-22). Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of target of rapamycin (tor), toll-like receptor-2 (tlr2), toll-like receptor-4 (tlr4), toll-like receptor-5 (tlr5) and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (myd88) of intestine were significantly up-regulated in fish fed 1.9, 3.0 and 3.9 g/kg Trp diets, and down-regulated in fish fed 4.8, 5.9 and 6.8 g/kg Trp diets. Dietary 4.8 and 5.9 g/kg Trp significantly increased the expression of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase beta subunit (ikkβ) and decreased the expression of inhibitor of kappa B (iκbα), but inhibited nuclear transcription factor kappa B (nf-κb) mRNA level. Collectively, these results indicated that dietary 4.8 g/kg Trp could improve antioxidant capacity and alleviate intestinal inflammation associated with TOR and TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways.

The GPx-1 Gene Variants (rs1050450) in Obesity: Association with the Risk of Obesity and the GPx Activity in Females.

This study aimed to investigate the GPx-1 gene polymorphism (rs1050450), the level of oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters, and the lipid profile in an obese Kurdish population in Sulaimani, Iraq. In a case-control study,134 obese subjects and 131 normal BMI healthy individuals participated. The GPx-1 gene polymorphism was assessed by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The levels of biochemical and oxidative parameters were determined using photometric methods. The results showed that the fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly higher in obese subjects compared to the control group. Obese individuals had significantly lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than the controls. The GPx-1 activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were significantly elevated in the obese group compared to the control group (P=0.006, and P<0.001, respectively). No significant difference was detected in genotype and allele frequencies of GPx-1 (rs1050450) between obese and normal BMI groups. However, the presence of the GPx-1 TT genotype enhanced the risk of obesity in females by 1.93-fold (95% CI 1.04-3.58, P=0.036). In the total population, the GPx activity increased in the presence of TT compared to CC+CT and CT genotypes. The study indicated that obesity is linked to significantly higher levels of FBS, TG, LDL-C, TAC, and GPx activity and lower level of HDL-C. Also, we found the GPx-1 gene polymorphism was associated with the risk of obesity in females and increased the GPx activity.

Possible Role of Oxidative Stress and Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway in Pentylenetetrazole-induced Epilepsy in Aged Rats.

To examine the impact of aging on the response of rats to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induction of epilepsy and the possible role of oxidative stress and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/ heme oxygenase (HO)-1 pathway in this response. Forty male albino rats were equally allocated into 4 groups; 1) Young control (YC) group, aged 8-12 weeks, 2) Old control (OC) group, aged 24 months, 3) PTZ-Young group: young rats received PTZ (50 mg/Kg, i.p. every other day) for 2 weeks and 4) PTZ-Old group: as group 3 but rats were old. The seizure score stage and latency to the first jerk were recorded in rats. Redox state markers in brain tissues including malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were evaluated. Also, the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 genes were measured in the brain tissues. Old rats showed an early and a significant rise in the seizure score with PTZ administration and a significant drop in the seizure latency compared to young rats (P <0.01). Also, old rats showed a significantly higher MDA concentration and a significantly lower TAC and catalase activity than young rats (P <0.01). Moreover, the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was significantly lowered in old rats compared to young rats with PTZ administration (P < 0.01). Aging increases the vulnerability of rats to PTZ-induced epilepsy. An effect might come down to the up-regulation of oxidative stress and the down regulation of antioxidant pathways including Nrf2 and HO-1.

Effects of Isaria cicadae on growth, gut microbiota, and metabolome of Larimichthys crocea

The large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) is the most productive mariculture fish in China, and its aquaculture scale is expanding along the southeastern coast of China, but that development is causing environmental damage by increasing the use of antibiotics and other chemicals. How to improve fish immunity through non-antibiotic substances is still a problem facing aquaculture industry. At present, the experiments have shown that Isaria cicadae spent substrate (IC) can improve the growth performance and immunity of Oreochromis niloticus. Therefore, I. cicadae may be a natural alternative to antibiotic for aquaculture. In order to study the effects of IC on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, intestinal microbiota, and intestinal metabolism of large yellow croakers, the fish were divided into three groups with three replicates in each group. Basal diet, basal diet with 2% and 6% IC supplementation (IC2 and IC6 groups), respectively. The results showed that weight gain rate (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of large yellow croaker significantly increased (P < 0.05) in IC6 group. The content of triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) increased significantly (P < 0.05), and total cholesterol (T-CHO) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in IC2 group. Compared to IC0 group, the activity of malondialdehyde (MDA) , superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) increased significantly (P < 0.05) in IC2 group, the activity of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and GSH-Px increased significantly (P < 0.05) in IC6 group, and the activity of lysozyme (LZM) increased significantly in IC2 and IC6 groups. The addition of IC in the diets significantly increased the diversity of the microbial community in the intestine of large yellow croaker (P < 0.05), significantly improved the relative abundance of Acidobacteriota (P < 0.05) at the phylum level, and reduced the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Desulfobacterota, and Synergistota (P < 0.05). At the genus level, the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Cetobacterium and Mycoplasma, which are dominant bacteria in fish gut, significantly increased (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of Ruminofilibacter, Desulfomicrobium, DMER64, Syntrophomonas, Hydrogenophaga, and Aminobacterium reduced significantly (P < 0.05). Among them, Ruminofilibacter, DMER64, Syntrophomonas and Hydrogenophaga are bacteria that can participate in the hydrolysis and acidification of organic matter, while DMER64 is the hydrogen carrier. The intestinal metabolome analysis showed that IC could improve metabolic composition and function, which was related to host immunity and metabolism. In conclusion, I. cicadae can improve the growth performance, regulate the lipid metabolism and immune and antioxidant capacity of large yellow croakers by regulating intestinal microbiota and intestinal metabolism. This study provides a reference for the application of IC in aquaculture.

Effects of dietary supplementation with different levels of palygorskite-based composite on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of palygorskite-based composite (PBC) on growth performance, antioxidant status, and meat quality of broilers. A total of 320 one-day-old mixed-sex Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated to 1 of 5 groups with 8 replicates of 8 birds each, and given a basal diet supplemented with 0, 250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg PBC for a 42-day trial, respectively. PBC quadratically increased feed efficiency during the late and overall experimental periods (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, 1,000 mg/kg PBC increased feed efficiency during the overall period (P < 0.05). PBC linearly increased serum total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity at 21 d and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity at both 21 d and 42 d (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, PBC supplementation, regardless of its level, increased 21-day serum SOD activity (P < 0.05). The 21-day serum GSH-Px activity was increased by PBC when its level exceeded 250 mg/kg (P < 0.05). PBC linearly increased 42-day total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity, but linearly decreased 42-day malondialdehyde level in liver (P < 0.05). An addition of PBC, irrespective of its level, increased 42-day hepatic T-AOC activity (P < 0.05). PBC quadratically increased 45-min yellowness value and linearly increased 24-h pH value, but quadratically decreased 24-h lightness value and linearly and quadratically reduced 24-h drip loss in breast muscle (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the 24-h drip loss of breast muscle was decreased by PBC, regardless of its dosage (P < 0.05). An addition of PBC linearly increased 42-day T-AOC and T-SOD activities of breast muscle (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, muscle T-SOD activity was increased by PBC, regardless of its administration level (P < 0.05). These results suggested that PBC could improve growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality of broilers, and its recommended dosage is 1,000 mg/kg.

Experimental Study on the Anti-tumor and Pro-apoptotic Effects of Paeonol in Human Gliomas

Background: Current studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer effects of paeonol in some tumors; however, its effect on gliomas remains unknown. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the anti-tumor effect of paeonol in human glioma tissues and cells including its effect and connection with apoptosis and oxidative stress in gliomas. Methods: Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the antiproliferative effect of paeonol in human U251 glioma cells. Transwell and colony-forming assays were employed to assess the effect of paeonol on the ability of invasion and colony formation of U251 cells. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and catalase activity (CAT) were measured to evaluate the effect of paeonol on oxidative stress in U251 cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-q) PCR and western blot were utilized to detect caspase-3 expression levels. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining detected the effect of paeonol on U251 cell apoptosis. Results: Paeonol decreased cell viability, as well as the proliferation, invasion, and colony formation ability of U251 cells. Paeonol reduced MDA content and increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and T-AOC in U251 cells. Caspase-3 expression was lower in human glioma tissues than in normal tissues of the human brain. Paeonol promoted U251 cell apoptosis as revealed by TUNEL staining results and the significant up-regulation of caspase-3 expression in U251 cells. Conclusion: These results indicated that paeonol has anti-tumor and pro-apoptotic effects in gliomas via oxidative stress regulation and the caspase-3 pathway. Our study, therefore, provides new ideas for the clinical treatment of gliomas.

Effects of heat exposure and vitamin C intervention on oxidative stress and blood pressure changes in treadmill rats

Objective: To investigate the effect of oxidative stress caused by heat exposure on the blood pressure increase of treadmill rats and the intervention of antioxidants. Methods: In June 2021, Twenty-four healthy SD male rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal temperature feeding, normal temperature treadmill, high temperature treadmill and high temperature treadmill supplementation with vitamin C groups, 6 rats in each group. The rats run on the platform in normal temperature or heat exposure environment for 30 min in the morning and in the afternoon daily, 6 days per week. The daily vitamin C supplement dose of high temperature treadmill supplementation with vitamin C group was 10 mg/kg. BP recordings were done at the end of the week. The rat vascular lipofuscin (LF) was detected by ELISA, the rat serum nitric oxide (NO) was detected by nitrate reductase method, the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected by thibabituric acid method, the serum glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected by chemiluminescence method, and the serum catalase (CAT) was detected by ammonium molybdate method. The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of serum was measured by iron reduction/antioxidant capacity method, and the content of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in vascular tissue was measured by Western blot. The intra-group mean was compared by repeated measurement analysis of variance, and the inter-group mean was compared by single-factor analysis of variance and post-event LSD-t test. Results: Compared with the previous time point, the systolic BP and diastolic BP of the high temperature treadmill group were significantly increased at 7, 14 and 21 d, and decreased at 28 d which were higher than the initial level (P<0.05), and the systolic BP and diastolic BP values at each experimental time point were significantly higher than those of normal temperature treadmill group (P<0.001). The changes of thickening of the artery wall, no smoothing of the endodermis and irregular arrangement of muscle cells in high temperature treadmill group were observed. Compared with the normal temperature treadmill group, the content of MDA in serum, and LF in vascular tissue were significantly increased, the activities of SOD, CAT, T-AOC, the content of NO in serum, and the expression of Nrf2 in vascular tissue were significantly decreased in high temperature treadmill group (P<0.05). Compared with the high temperature treadmill group, the systolic BP and diastolic BP values at 7, 14, 21 and 28 d, the content of serum MDA and LF in vascular tissue were significantly decreased, the activities of CAT and T-AOC, and the expression of Nrf2 in vascular tissue significantly increased (P<0.05), the histopathological changes of the artery wall improved in high temperature treadmill supplementation with vitamin C group. Conclusion: Heat exposure has effect on oxidative stress, which may be related to the increase of BP. Vitamin C as an anti-oxidative enhancer can prevent those negative effects, which could alleviate the pathological changes of vessel intima in heat-exposed rats. And the Nrf2 may be a regulated factor to vascular protection.

Effects of Gum Arabic and its nanoparticles on hepato-renal toxicity induced by bromobenzene in male rats: Physiological, histological, and immunological studies

This experimental study investigates the possible protective effects of Gum Arabic (GA) and its nanoparticles in hepato- and reno-toxicity induced by bromobenzene (BB) in rats and possible mechanisms of action. Thirty-five adult male albino rats were sorted into the following: Group 1 (control), Group 2 (NPs), Group 3 (GA, received 2 ml/kg of 10%w/v aqueous suspension), Group 4 (Gum-NPs, received GA loaded NPs), Group 5 (BB), received 460 mg/kg, Group 6 (GA+BB) and Group 7 (GA-NPs+BB). Treatment was via oral gavage daily for 10 days. Liver and kidney functions were measured in sera and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was measured in tissue homogenates, and renal and hepatic tissues expression of caspase-3 were immuno-histochemical assessed beside histological alteration using a light microscope. BB treatment produced impairment of liver and kidney functions and decreased TAC activities and increased caspase-3 expressions in the liver and kidney and altered liver and kidney structures. Co-administration of GA and GA loaded on NPs for 10 days alleviated damaged effects of BB, especially in GA-NPs groups in liver and kidney functions and structures, and decrease expression of caspase-3 in the tissues. In conclusion, GA and its NPs had protective actions versus BB-induced destruction of the kidney and liver due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis actions.

Effects of dietary β-glucan on growth rate, antioxidant status, immune response, and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in genetic improvement of farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus)

This study was conducted to assess the influences of dietary β-glucan on growth rate, antioxidant status, immunity response, and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus). Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated to contain 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.8% β-glucan, respectively. Fish with similar size (average body weight, 3.43 ± 0.02 g) were randomly distributed into 12 tanks with 40 juveniles per tank and hand-fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 10 weeks. The fish were then challenged by A. hydrophila and their cumulative survival rate was recorded for the next week. No obvious influences on growth rate and feed utilization of GIFT were induced by dietary β-glucan addition (P > 0.05). However, dietary 0.4% β-glucan inclusion increased the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level but decreased the triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as well as alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities (P < 0.05). Similarly, the increased intestinal superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) activities as well as the decreased intestinal malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species contents were also observed in GIFT fed diet with 0.4% β-glucan (P < 0.05). Dietary addition of 0.8% β-glucan increased the plasma SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and TAC activities, but reduced the plasma MDA content (P < 0.05). Dietary β-glucan inclusion regardless of levels improved the hepatic SOD, glutathione reductase, catalase, peroxidase, TAC, and acid phosphatase activities, but depressed the hepatic nitric oxide and MDA contents (P < 0.05). Plasma lysozyme activity was improved by the inclusion of 0.4% and 0.8% β-glucan (P < 0.05); plasma immunoglobulin M, complement 3 and complement 4 contents were improved by dietary β-glucan inclusion (P < 0.05); respiratory burst activity of macrophages was improved by the addition of 0.2% β-glucan (P < 0.05). Additionally, dietary β-glucan supplementation reduced the mortality rate and increased the relative percentage survival of GIFT challenged by A. hydrophila (P < 0.05). These results indicated that suitable β-glucan inclusion (0.4–0.8%) could promote the antioxidant status, immune response and disease resistance of GIFT, and β-glucan can be used as a feed additive for GIFT.

Effects of Clostridium butyricum on growth performance, meat quality, and intestinal health of broilers.

This study investigated the effects of Clostridium butyricum on the growth performance, meat quality and intestinal health of broilers. A total of 800 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned to two groups with 16 replicates of 25 broilers per group and fed with a basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 1.5 × 109 cfu/kg C. butyricum and 5 × 108 cfu/kg C. butyricum at 1-21 d and 22-42 d, respectively (CB). The results indicated that C. butyricum significantly increased the final body weight, average daily gain at 1-42 d in the growth performance of broilers (P < 0.05). Moreover, C. butyricum significantly increased value and pH24h value of breast meat but reduced the drip loss and shear force (P < 0.05). Regarding serum antioxidant indices, C. butyricum significantly increased the total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and total antioxidative capacity activities and reduced the malondialdehyde content (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the broilers in the CB demonstrated an increase in jejunal lipase and trypsin activities, villus height (VH) and VH-to-crypt depth ratio at 42 d compared with those in the CON (P < 0.05). C. butyricum also upregulated the intestinal mRNA levels of zonula occludens-1, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), SOD1 and interleukin-10 in the jejunal mucosa (P < 0.05), but it downregulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.05). These results indicate that C. butyricum can improve the growth performance and meat quality of broilers. In particular, C. butyricum can improve the intestinal health of broilers, which is likely to be related to the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Effects of different levels of dietary chlorogenic acid supplementation on growth performance, intestinal integrity, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens at an early age

This study was conducted to investigate effects of graded levels of chlorogenic acid (CGA) supplementation on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, intestinal integrity, and antioxidant capacity of broilers at an early age. Two hundred and forty one-day-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks were assigned to five groups with six replicates of eight birds each, and were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control group), 125, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg CGA for 14 days, respectively. The CGA administration linearly and quadratically increased body weight and weight gain and quadratically reduced feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05), and these effects were more pronounced when its dosage was 500 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The CGA supplementation especially at a level of 500 mg/kg linearly increased glucose concentration and quadratically lowered serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels (P < 0.05). Dietary CGA administration linearly and quadratically reduced plasma diamine oxidase activity and D-lactate concentration (P < 0.05), and these effects were more prominent in 500 mg/kg CGA-supplemented group (P < 0.05). The CGA supplementation linearly increased the ratio between duodenal villus height and crypt depth and ileal villus height (P < 0.05). Moreover, supplementing 500 mg/kg CGA elevated the ratio of jejunal villus height and crypt depth when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The CGA administration linearly and/or quadratically increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities and glutathione level, and decreased malondialdehyde concentration in serum, duodenum, and jejunum (except T-AOC activity and glutathione level in jejunum) (P < 0.05). Moreover, an addition of CGA linearly or quadratically increased T-AOC activity and glutathione level and reduced malondialdehyde concentration in ileum (P < 0.05). The beneficial effects of CGA on the antioxidant capacity in serum and intestinal mucosa were more apparent when its supplemental level was 500 mg/kg. The results suggested that CGA could improve growth performance, intestinal integrity, and antioxidant status of broilers at an early age, with its recommended dosage being 500 mg/kg.

Dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol modulates gut microbiota and improves the growth, meat quality, and antioxidant status of growing-finishing pigs.

25-Hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD3) is the active metabolite of regular vitamin D3 in vivo, which has a stronger biological activity and is more easily absorbed by the intestine than regular vitamin D3. Our study aimed to detect the potential influences of 25OHD3 on pork quality, antioxidant status, and intestinal microbiota of growing-finishing pigs receiving low-phosphorus (P) diet. Forty pigs [initial body weight (BW): 49.42 ± 4.01 kg] were allocated into two groups including low-P diet (CON group) and low-P diet supplemented with 50 μg/kg 25OHD3 (25OHD3 group). The whole experiment lasted for 88 days, including phase 1 (day 1-28), phase 2 (day 29-60), and phase 3 (day 61-88). The results showed that 25OHD3 supplementation tended to decrease feed conversion ratio in phase 3 and overall phase in comparison with the CON group. 25OHD3 increased (p < 0.05) serum contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and decreased (p < 0.05) serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase level. 25OHD3 increased (p < 0.05) mucosal GSH-Px activity in the duodenum and ileum, and tended to increase redness value and the activities of total antioxidant capacity and SOD in longissimus dorsi. 25OHD3 significantly upregulated the mRNA level of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase, and tended to change the mRNA levels of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 and kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 in longissimus dorsi. Moreover, 25OHD3 supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) n-6/n-3 and iodine value in longissimus dorsi. For bone quality, 25OHD3 supplementation increased (p < 0.05) calcium content, bone mineral content, and breaking strength in the metacarpal bones. Moreover, the colonic abundance of Lactobacillus was significantly higher in pigs fed with 25OHD3, and exhibited a positive association with serum antioxidant status, pork quality, and bone characteristics. Overall, the inclusion of 25OHD3 in low P diet partly improved production performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, bone properties, and gut microbiota composition of growing-finishing pigs.

Effects of Artemisia ordosica polysaccharide on growth performance and antioxidant capacity in broilers

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary Artemisia ordosica polysaccharide (AOP) supplementation on broilers’ growth performance and antioxidant function. A total of 288 1-day-old Arbor Acre broilers were randomly divided into 6 groups with 6 replicates each (n = 8). The groups contained a control diet group (basal diet, CON), an antibiotic diet group (basal diet + 50 mg/kg chlortetracycline, CTC) and AOP diet groups (basal diet containing 250, 500, 750, 1000 mg/kg AOP, respectively). The experiment included starter phase (days 1–21) and grower phase (days 22–42). The results showed that adding 750 mg/kg AOP increased the average daily gain (ADG), decreased feed/gain (F/G). Adding 500–1000 mg/kg AOP in the diet of broilers increased the activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in spleen, liver and small intestine (P < 0.05). The addition of AOP increased the gene expression levels of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), CAT, GSH-Px and SOD in Nrf2 signalling pathway. Our data suggested that AOP could improve broilers’ growth performance and antioxidant function. Therefore, AOP may be used as a growth promotion and antioxidant feed additive in broiler chickens instead of antibiotics.

In-silico annotation of the chemical composition of Tibetan tea and its mechanism on antioxidant and lipid-lowering in mice.

Tibetan tea is a kind of dark tea, due to the inherent complexity of natural products, the chemical composition and beneficial effects of Tibetan tea are not fully understood. The objective of this study was to unravel the composition of Tibetan tea using knowledge-guided multilayer network (KGMN) techniques and explore its potential antioxidant and hypolipidemic mechanisms in mice. The C57BL/6J mice were continuously gavaged with Tibetan tea extract (T group), green tea extract (G group) and ddH2O (H group) for 15 days. The activity of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in mice was detected. Transcriptome sequencing technology was used to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects of Tibetan tea in mice. Furthermore, the expression levels of liver antioxidant and lipid metabolism related genes in various groups were detected by the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. The results showed that a total of 42 flavonoids are provisionally annotated in Tibetan tea using KGMN strategies. Tibetan tea significantly reduced body weight gain and increased T-AOC and SOD activities in mice compared with the H group. Based on the results of transcriptome and qPCR, it was confirmed that Tibetan tea could play a key role in antioxidant and lipid lowering by regulating oxidative stress and lipid metabolism related pathways such as insulin resistance, P53 signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, fatty acid elongation and fatty acid metabolism. This study was the first to use computational tools to deeply explore the composition of Tibetan tea and revealed its potential antioxidant and hypolipidemic mechanisms, and it provides new insights into the composition and bioactivity of Tibetan tea.

Antioxidant, phytochemical composition and proximate analysis of Mangifera haden seeds

Mangifera haden is a tropical fruit that is rich in diverse array of bioactive phytochemicals. The present study was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant capacity, phytochemicals and proximate composition present in aqueous extract and three different fractions of Mangifera haden seeds. Phytochemical analyses were investigated using standard method. The whole sample of Mangifera haden seeds were analyzed for proximate composition using standard analytical methods. The in vitro antioxidant effects of the plant extract and fractions were determined using: FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), DPPH (2, 2 – Diphenyl – 1 picrylhydrazyl) and TAC (Total Antioxidant Capacity) studies. Proximate composition and calorific value of whole sample of Mangifera haden seeds revealed that the percentage values of moisture, ash, lipid, fibre, protein and carbohydrate were (8.39, 2.77, 17.18, 4.29, 4.82 , 62.55) and 1772.89 kj/100g respectively. Phytochemical constituents of crude extract, ethyl acetate, methanol and n-hexane fractions of Mangifera haden seeds showed that they contain relative amount of flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, triterpenes, alkaloids and coumarins. All these antioxidant activities increased with increasing concentrations in a dose dependent manner. The in vitro antioxidant studies revealed ethyl acetate fraction with the highest antioxidant activity using FRAP, TAC and DPPH activity while n-hexane fraction exhibited the lowest antioxidant status. These results showed that ethyl acetate fraction of Mangifera haden seeds has high concentration of phytochemical compounds and high amount of antioxidant while n-hexane fraction exhibited the lowest concentration of phytochemical potential and antioxidant status. The phytocomponents of the different fractions of Mangifera haden seeds were investigated using Perkin Elmer GC-MS. The prevailing compounds in ethyl acetate, methanol and n-hexane fraction are 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester (15.16 %,), 7-epi-trans-sesquisabinene hydrate (27.86%) and (Z)-Oleic acid (100%).

Changes of oxidant-antioxidant parameters in small intestines from rabbits infected with E. intestinalis and E. magna

Rabbit coccidiosis is a very serious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria, which increases the production rate of free radicals, especially reactive oxygen species. When the generation of free radicals exceeds the scavenging capacity of the body’s antioxidant system, the oxidant-antioxidant balance is broken, resulting in oxidative stress. This study was designed to investigate the effect on the oxidant-antioxidant status of rabbits infected with E. intestinalis and E. magna. To this end, eighteen 30-d-old weaned rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups as follows: the E. intestinalis infection group with 3×103 sporulated oocysts of E. intestinalis, the E. magna infection group with 20×103 sporulated oocysts of E. magna, and the uninfected control group. We measured the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in rabbits’ small intestinal tissues (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) of the three groupson day 8. The results showed that CAT activity and MDA levels significantly increased, while the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC decreased after E. intestinalis and E. magna infection. Besides, the jejunum and ileum were particularly damaged in the rabbits. It is concluded that the pathological oxidative stress occurs during the E. intestinalis and E. magna infection process and the body’s oxidant-antioxidant balance is disrupted.

Effects of Continuous LPS Induction on Oxidative Stress and Liver Injury in Weaned Piglets

Due to imperfections in their immune and digestive systems, weaned piglets are susceptible to invasions of the external environment and diseases, especially bacterial infections, which lead to slow growth, tissue damage, and even the death of piglets. Here, a model of weaned piglets induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was established to explore the effects of continuous low-dose LPS induction on the mechanism of liver injury. A total of forty-eight healthy 28-day-old weaned piglets (weight = 6.65 ± 1.19 kg) were randomly divided into two groups: the CON group and LPS group. During the experimental period of thirteen days, the LPS group was injected intraperitoneally with LPS (100 μg/kg) once per day, and the CON group was treated with the same volume of 0.9% NaCl solution. On the 1st, 5th, 9th, and 13th days, the serum and liver of the piglets were collected for the determination of serum biochemical indexes, an antioxidant capacity evaluation, and histopathological examinations. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of the TLR4 pathway and inflammatory cytokines were detected. The results showed that the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the serum increased after LPS induction. The activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the serum and liver homogenate of the LPS group were lower than those of the CON group, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the serum and the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver of the LPS group were higher than those in the CON group. At the same time, morphological impairment of the livers occurred, including hepatocyte caryolysis, hepatocyte vacuolization, karyopycnosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration, and the mRNA expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were upregulated in the livers after LPS induction. The above results were more obvious on the 1st and 5th days of LPS induction, while the trend during the later period was not significant. It was concluded that the oxidative stress and liver injury occurred at the early stage of LPS induction, while the liver damage weakened at the later stage. The weaned piglets probably gradually developed tolerance to the endotoxin after the continuous low-dose induction of LPS.

Quercetin alleviates intestinal inflammation and improves intestinal functions via modulating gut microbiota composition in LPS-challenged laying hens

Quercetin, a well-known flavonoid, has been demonstrated to exert beneficial effects on intestinal functions and gut microbiota in birds. In this study, we investigated the effects of quercetin supplementation on inflammatory responses, intestinal barrier functions and gut microbial community in LPS-challenged laying hens. A total of two hundred eighty-eight 32-wk-old Jingfen No.6 laying hens were randomly assigned to 3 groups, the CON group, the LC group and the LQ group. LQ group was fed with 0.4 mg/kg quercetin and at the end of 12 wk, LC and LQ groups were challenged intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After LPS challenge, 8 birds of each group were randomly selected and sampled. LPS challenge induced an obvious intestinal mucosal injury, necrosis and shedding, while quercetin intervention maintained its structure. Quercetin significantly decreased the elevated malondialdehyde contents (P < 0.05), and increased the activity of total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05) in intestinal mucosa of LPS-challenged laying hens. Quercetin rescued the LPS-induced decreases in goblet cell density and mucin2 expression levels (P < 0.05). There was a significant decline (P < 0.05) in the mRNA expression of Claudin1 and Occludin in intestinal mucosa of LPS-challenged layers, which could be alleviated (P < 0.05) by dietary quercetin. LPS challenge induced the increased expression levels (P < 0.05) of IL-1β and TLR-4 in intestinal mucosa, while these rises could be reversed (P < 0.05) following dietary quercetin supplementation. LPS challenge induced a shift in gut microenvironment, and quercetin addition could elevate the relative abundance of some short chain fatty acids (SCFA)-producing or health-promoting bacteria such as Phascolarctobacterium, Negativicutes, Selenomonadales, Megamonas, Prevotellaceae, and Bacteroides_salanitronis. In conclusion, dietary quercetin addition ameliorated the LPS challenge-induced intestinal inflammation and improved intestinal functions, possibly associated with its modulation on gut microbiota, particularly the increased population of SCFA-producing bacteria.

Research Note: Dietary resveratrol supplementation improves the hepatic antioxidant capacity and attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in yellow-feathered broilers

This experiment investigated the protective effect of resveratrol (RES) on the hepatic antioxidant status and systemic inflammation in yellow-feathered broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 240 healthy 1-day-old yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into 4 groups (control, LPS, RES, and RES+LPS), with 5 replicates of 12 chickens per replicate. The experiment lasted 21 d. The broilers were fed with either the basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg RES followed by intraperitoneal challenge with LPS (1 mg/kg body weight) or the same amount of saline at d 16, 18, and 20. The results showed that dietary RES supplementation could improve the activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver of yellow-feathered broilers challenged with LPS (P < 0.05). Furthermore, LPS challenge increased the plasma interleukin-17 (IL-17) concentration, the hepatic interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) concentrations, as well as the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), IL-6, and IL-1β in the spleen (P < 0.05), and decreased the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) concentrations in the plasma, liver, and spleen (P < 0.05). However, dietary RES supplementation could reduce the increased TNF-α levels in the plasma, liver, and spleen induced by LPS, and increased TGF-β level in the liver and spleen (P < 0.05). Collectively, these results suggest that dietary RES supplementation could effectively improve the hepatic antioxidant capacity and attenuate LPS-induced inflammation in yellow-feathered broilers during the starter stage.