Dietary supplementation of glycine modulates inflammatory response indicators in broiler chickens

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of dietary glycine (Gly) supplementation on inflammatory responses in broiler chicks fed a basal diet using maize and soybean meal as the primary ingredients. Inflammation-related processes following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection were examined by analysing plasma concentrations of nitrate plus nitrite (NOx) and ceruloplasmin (Cer) in experiments 1 and 2, or expression of several genes in the spleen and liver including IL-1 beta and -6, TNF-like ligand (TL)1A, inducible NO synthase, interferon (IFN)-gamma and toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 were examined in experiment 3. Growth performance was also determined following immunological stimulation by both LPS and Sephadex injection in experiment 2. In experiment 1, birds fed a diet supplemented with Gly at 10 or 20 g/kg showed lower responses in plasma NOx and Cer than birds fed the diet supplemented with Gly at 0 or 40 g/kg. In experiment 2, a similar effect of Gly supplementation at 10 g/kg on plasma NOx and Cer was observed when chicks were fed either an isonitrogenous diet with Gly or glutamic acid (Glu). Gly-supplemented diet-fed birds showed better growth performance than Glu-supplemented diet-fed birds. The splenic expression of inflammatory response-related genes in birds fed a diet supplemented with Gly at 10 g/kg diet was lower than that of birds fed the basal diet in experiment 3. These results suggest that dietary Gly supplementation modulates the inflammatory response partly through changes in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IFN-gamma and TL1A.     

Dietary supplementation increases milk output in the rat

The effects of dietary supplementation on milk output and maternal body composition were investigated in the lactating rat. The supplement was a cooked homogeneous mixture of eggs and maize oil, and had the same protein-energy: total energy value as the control diet. During 2-12 d post partum rats were fed ad lib., either on the control diet alone or on the control diet plus the supplement. Measurements were made of milk output using an isotope-dilution technique, milk composition, and dam and litter body-composition changes. Compared with the dams receiving only the control diet, dams provided with the supplement consumed 19.7% more energy and protein and produced 31.2% more milk and mobilized less body fat. By 12 d of age, pups in litters of dams receiving the supplement were significantly heavier than those in litters of dams receiving the control diet only, and they contained more protein and more fat. It is concluded that dietary supplementation of lactating rats can enhance lactational performance.     

Dietary arginine supplementation increases mTOR signaling activity in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs

Dietary arginine supplementation increases growth of neonatal pigs, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the arginine treatment activates translation initiation factors and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle. Piglets were fed milk-based diets supplemented with 0 or 0.6% L-arginine between 7 and 14 d of age. Following a 7-d period of arginine supplementation, at 1 h after the last meal, jugular venous blood samples were obtained for metabolite analysis, whereas longissimus muscle and liver were collected to determine the abundance and phosphorylation state of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR), ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E-binding protein-1 (4E-BP1), eIF4E, and eIF4G. Fractional rates of protein synthesis were measured in muscle and liver using the [(3)H]phenylalanine flooding-dose technique. Arginine supplementation increased (P < 0.05) daily gain, the plasma insulin concentration, and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle but not in liver. The arginine treatment enhanced the formation of the active eIF4E x eIF4G complex but reduced the amount of the inactive 4E-BP1 x eIF4E complex in muscle. These changes were associated with elevated levels of phosphorylated mTOR and 4E-BP1 in muscle of arginine-supplemented piglets (P < 0.05). Neither the total amounts nor phosphorylation levels of the translation initiation factors in the liver differed between control and arginine-supplemented piglets. Collectively, these results suggest that dietary arginine supplementation increases mTOR signaling activity in skeletal muscle, but not in liver, of milk-fed neonatal pigs. The findings provide a molecular mechanism for explaining the previous observation that increased circulating arginine stimulated muscle protein synthesis and promoted weight gain in neonatal pigs.     

Dietary encapsulated glycine influences Clostridium perfringens and Lactobacilli growth in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens

Three experiments were conducted to determine whether there is a causative relation between dietary glycine concentration and intestinal Clostridium perfringens growth in broiler chickens. Expt. 1 showed that glycine concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in jejunum and ileum of birds fed fat-encapsulated glycine compared with crystalline glycine. In Expt. 2, 2 cages of 6 birds were assigned to 1 of 6 experimental diets formulated to contain 7.6 and 10.6, 17.8 and 40.6, 27.8 and 30.6, 37.8 and 20.6, 47.7 and 10.6, and 7.8 and 50.6 g/kg total glycine and proline, respectively, provided primarily by supplementation with encapsulated glycine or proline as required. In Expt. 3, 12 groups of 6 birds were fed 4 different diets supplemented with encapsulated glycine to achieve 7.6, 21.0, 34.3, or 47.7 g/kg total glycine. The birds were orally challenged with C. perfringens type A on d 1 and d 14-21 and killed on d 28. In Expt. 2, C. perfringens populations were higher (P < 0.05) in ileum and cecum of birds, which received either 37.8 or 47.7 g/kg total glycine compared with those fed 7.6 g/kg glycine. In Expt. 3, C. perfringens numbers were higher (P < 0.05) in ileum of birds fed either 34.3 or 47.7 g/kg dietary glycine than those given either 7.6 or 21.0 g/kg glycine. Conversely, lactobacilli counts in ileum and cecum were significantly lower in birds fed the higher levels of glycine in both experiments. High C. perfringens colonization and high intestinal lesion scores were associated with reduced performance (P < 0.05). We conclude that glycine is an important determinant of C. perfringens growth in the intestinal tract of broiler chickens.     

Fiber-degrading enzyme increases body weight and total serum cholesterol in broiler chickens fed a rye-based diet

Broiler chickens were fed diets based on either outer or inner endosperm from rye. These diets were fed with or without a fiber degrading enzyme to study the effects of the dietary fiber fraction on production results, body composition, serum lipid concentrations and apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients. Elimination of the dietary fiber effect by the enzyme generally improved the production results and caused an increase in total serum cholesterol concentrations. On average, at d 21 of the experiment chickens fed the enzyme supplemented outer endosperm diet had body weights and serum total cholesterol concentrations -23% and 37% higher, respectively, than those of birds fed the corresponding unsupplemented diet. The body fat content tended to be higher and the protein content was generally lower in chickens fed enzyme-supplemented diets. Chickens fed the unsupplemented outer endosperm diet had a low apparent ileal crude fat digestibility of only 23%, and birds fed the enzyme-supplemented diet had crude fat digestibility that was 113% higher but still lower than that of birds fed the inner endosperm diet. Birds fed enzyme-supplemented diets generally had higher apparent ileal digestibilities of organic matter, crude protein, starch, crude fat and dietary fiber components.     

Dietary L-carnitine supplementation in obese cats alters carnitine metabolism and decreases ketosis during fasting and induced hepatic lipidosis

This study was designed to determine whether dietary carnitine supplement could protect cats from ketosis and improve carnitine and lipid metabolism in experimental feline hepatic lipidosis (FHL). Lean spayed queens received a diet containing 40 (CL group, n = 7) or 1000 (CH group, n = 4) mg/kg of L-carnitine during obesity development. Plasma fatty acid, beta-hydroxybutyrate and carnitine, and liver and muscle carnitine concentrations were measured during experimental induction of FHL and after treatment. In control cats (CL group), fasting and FHL increased the plasma concentrations of fatty acids two- to threefold (P < 0.0001) and beta-hydroxybutyrate > 10-fold (from a basal 0.22 +/- 0.03 to 1.70 +/- 0.73 after 3 wk fasting and 3.13 +/- 0.49 mmol/L during FHL). In carnitine-supplemented cats, these variables increased significantly (P < 0.0001) only during FHL (beta-hydroxybutyrate, 1.42 +/- 0.17 mmol/L). L-Carnitine supplementation significantly increased plasma, muscle and liver carnitine concentrations. Liver carnitine concentration increased dramatically from the obese state to FHL in nonsupplemented cats, but not in supplemented cats, which suggests de novo synthesis of carnitine from endogenous amino acids in control cats and reversible storage in supplemented cats. These results demonstrate the protective effect of a dietary L-carnitine supplement against fasting ketosis during obesity induction. Increasing the L-carnitine level of diets in cats with low energy requirements, such as after neutering, and a high risk of obesity could therefore be recommended.     

Enzyme supplementation of dry and wet wheat-based feeds for broiler chickens: performance and gut responses

To test whether the improvements in digestive efficiency due to either wetting of the food or inclusion of enzymes are accompanied by the same changes in gut function, foods with a high content of wheat were fed to broiler chicks from 1-42 d old. Twenty-four birds were caged individually while a further sixty-four were in group pens in experiments of 2 x 2 factorial design with two levels of enzyme (0 or 1 g/kg, designed for wheat) and two levels of water addition (0 and 1300 g/kg). Food intake and live-weight gain were significantly increased by wet feeding (from 89.3 to 153.4 g/d and from 39.7 to 65.4 g/d respectively), the differences increasing with age, while the enzyme had no significant effect (120.5 and 122.2 g/d and 51.9 and 53.1g/week respectively). The viscosity of digesta was greatly reduced both by wetting (from 4.40 to 2.64 kPa. s) and enzyme (from 4.47 to 2.57 kPa. s) but there was a significant interaction with age in which the viscosity was low throughout in the wet only, enzyme only and wet + enzyme treatments but declined with age from a very high level in the dry, no enzyme treatment (11.5 kPa. s at 14 d). While wetting increased weight and length of digestive tract and thickness of some parts of the gut, enzyme had no significant effect, tending to reduce gut wall thickness. Crypt cell proliferation rate (CCPR) was significantly reduced by wet feeding (from 39.4 to 28.7 cells/crypt per 2 h) and by enzyme supplementation (from 38.9 to 29.2 cells/crypt per 2 h). Therefore, while both wetting and enzyme addition to the food reduced digesta viscosity and CCPR to a similar extent, the former had marked stimulatory effects on food intake and weight gain while the latter had little effect. The mode of action of wet feeding is therefore deduced to be not primarily through its effects on viscosity and CCPR.     

Factors influencing salmonella shedding in broiler chickens

Three variables were included in a study to determine their effect on the incidence of Salmonella typhimurium in broilers challenged at four days of age. Variables included the presence or absence of a feed additive, avoparcin; the use of new or used litter and the initiating dose of salmonella. Cloacal swabs were taken from approximately 600 chicks at weekly intervals for 45 days. At 10(4), 10(6) and 10(8) c.f.u./chick there was a direct association of challenge dose and the incidence of positive chicks for the first several weeks. Chicks raised on used litter showed an appreciable reduction in susceptibility to salmonella when compared to control animals on fresh litter. As the birds approached slaughter age, the influence of litter hygiene and challenge dose diminished under the conditions of this study. Avoparcin in the diet at 10 p.p.m. had no enhancing effect on salmonella shedding at any time during the 45-day sampling period. The implications of competitive exclusion are discussed.     

Chlorella (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) supplementation decreases dioxin and increases immunoglobulin a concentrations in breast milk

In addition to meeting nutritional requirements, breast milk plays important roles in biodefense for nursing infants. Dioxins have been detected at high concentrations in breast milk, raising concerns about disorders in nursing infants caused by breast milk containing dioxins in Japan. We analyzed dioxin levels in breast milk and maternal blood samples from 35 pregnant women in Japan. We also measured immunoglobulin (Ig) A concentrations in breast milk and investigated correlations with dioxin concentrations. In addition, 18 of the 35 women took Chlorella pyrenoidosa (Chlorella) supplements during pregnancy, and the effects on dioxin and IgA concentrations in breast milk were investigated. Toxic equivalents were significantly lower in the breast milk of women taking Chlorella tablets than in the Control group (P = .003). These results suggest that Chlorella supplementation by the mother may reduce transfer of dioxins to the child through breast milk. No significant correlation was identified between dioxin and IgA concentrations in breast milk in the Control group. It is unlikely that normal levels of dioxin exposure via food have a remarkable influence on IgA in breast milk. IgA concentrations in breast milk in the Chlorella group were significantly higher than in the Control group (P = .03). Increasing IgA levels in breast milk is considered to be effective for reducing the risk of infection in nursing infants. The present results suggest that Chlorella supplementation not only reduces dioxin levels in breast milk, but may also have beneficial effects on nursing infants by increasing IgA levels in breast milk.     

Dietary supplementation with beta-glucan enriched oat bran increases faecal concentration of carboxylic acids in healthy subjects

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Carboxylic acids (CAs), especially butyric acid, have been suggested to counteract colonic diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and colon cancer. Colonic formation of CAs can be influenced by the diet, but the concentrations and pattern formed need to be evaluated for different food products in humans. To elucidate how the colonic concentration of CAs in healthy subjects is influenced by dietary supplementation with oat bran, and whether the concentration varies over time and during consecutive days. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Twenty-five healthy subjects (age 24+/-1.3) were recruited to the study. The subjects were given 40 g beta-glucan enriched oat bran per day, corresponding to 20 g dietary fibre, in 4 slices of bread. CAs were analysed in faeces during three consecutive days after 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks on this diet. RESULTS: The concentration of acetic, propionic, butyric, isobutyric and isovaleric acid was higher (P<0.05-0.001) after 8 weeks on the oat bran diet as compared with values at entry, whereas that of lactic acid was lower (P<0.05). After 12 weeks, the concentrations of acetic, propionic and isobutyric acid were still higher and that of lactic acid lower. The variation between individuals was considerable, whereas in the same individuals there was little variation. CONCLUSIONS: Oat bran increased the faecal concentration of CAs after 8 weeks, indicating an increased concentration also in the distal colon. The concentration of all main acids increased, except for lactic acid, which decreased. Oat bran may therefore have a preventive potential adjunct to colonic diseases.     

Nutrition affects fat-free body composition in broiler chickens

The independence of fat-free body composition from nutrition is assumed in most models that simulate animal growth. This assumption has not been investigated extensively. We studied the allometric relationships between water and ash with protein in growing broiler chickens and tested whether the amounts of water or ash at a given protein weight was affected by nutritional factors. Two experiments, each with a 2 x 9 factorial design, were conducted using male broiler chickens of two body weight ranges [200-800 g (expt. 1) and 800-1600 g (expt. 2)]. The treatment factors were two levels of feed intake and nine dietary ideal protein to protein-free energy ratios (PE-ratio). Protein was balanced for amino acid content. The allometric relationships of water and ash with protein were different for carcass and organs. The relationship between water and protein was not affected by nutrition, except for a 7% reduction in water weight at a fixed protein weight in the carcass in expt. 1 at the lowest compared with the highest PE-ratio (P < 0.001). The relationship between ash and protein was strongly affected by nutrition. The lowest PE-ratio increased ash weight at a fixed protein weight in the carcass by up to 28%, compared with the highest PE-ratio (P < 0.001). We conclude that, at least for modern meat-type animals, nutrition can significantly affect fat-free body composition at a certain fat-free body weight. The nutritional effects on fat-free body composition could be incorporated into models of the chemical body composition of growing animals.     

Factors influencing salmonella shedding in broiler chickens.

Three variables were included in a study to determine their effect on the incidence of Salmonella typhimurium in broilers challenged at four days of age. Variables included the presence or absence of a feed additive, avoparcin; the use of new or used litter and the initiating dose of salmonella. Cloacal swabs were taken from approximately 600 chicks at weekly intervals for 45 days. At 10(4), 10(6) and 10(8) c.f.u./chick there was a direct association of challenge dose and the incidence of positive chicks for the first several weeks. Chicks raised on used litter showed an appreciable reduction in susceptibility to salmonella when compared to control animals on fresh litter. As the birds approached slaughter age, the influence of litter hygiene and challenge dose diminished under the conditions of this study. Avoparcin in the diet at 10 p.p.m. had no enhancing effect on salmonella shedding at any time during the 45-day sampling period. The implications of competitive exclusion are discussed.     

Dietary supplementation of probiotic Bacillus polyfermenticus, Bispan strain, modulates natural killer cell and T cell subset populations and immunoglobulin G levels in human subjects

A probiotic is a viable microbial dietary supplement that has beneficial effects such as prevention and treatment of specific gastrointestinal disorders, including counteracting gut barrier dysfunction associated with inflammation and infection. Probiotic Bacillus polyfermenticus, which is commonly called Bispan strain, has been appropriately used for the treatment of long-term intestinal disorders. The use of B. polyfermenticus for immune-related chronic intestinal disease may be appropriate considering that about 80% of the body's immune system is localized in the gastrointestinal tract. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of probiotic B. polyfermenticus on the immune response of human subjects through the quantification of immune cell population and serum levels of immunoglobulins (Igs). Twenty-five male subjects, 20-35 years of age, were randomly assigned to either a control group (n =12) supplemented with a placebo or the experimental group (n = 13) supplemented with B. polyfermenticus tablets at a dose of 3.1 x 10(8) colony-forming units/day for 8 weeks. Dietary intake analyses from 3-day dietary records from three consecutive days including one weekend day and two weekdays revealed no significant differences in total energy and nutrient intakes between the two groups. The humoral immune response was monitored by the number of total B lymphocytes and serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM. To investigate the changes in immune cell populations, percentages of total T lymphocytes, CD4+ helper T cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, and CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells were quantified. The concentration of IgG in the experimental group was 12% higher than in the placebo group after 8 weeks of Bispan supplementation. Also, the percentages of CD4+ helper T cells, CD8+cytotoxic T cells, and CD56+ NK cells in the Bispan strain-supplemented group were 32%, 28%, and 35% higher, respectively, compared with the control group. Because of a higher increment of the CD4+ T cell subset than CD8+ T cells, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cells was greater in the experimental group. This study suggests that the supplementation of B. polyfermenticus has a potentially positive effect on immune function by enhancing IgG production as well as by modulating the number of immune cell population such as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and NK cells.     

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale and Mycoplasma synoviae in broiler chickens in Jordan

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2008 to July 2010 in commercial broiler flocks in southern (n = 50) and northern (n = 50) areas of Jordan, to determine the flock-level prevalence of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) infections. Tracheal swabs were collected from commercial broilers with respiratory disease and tested by polymerase chain reaction. In total, 21% (95% CI: 18-45%) and 25% (95% CI: 20-51%) of commercial broiler flocks were positive for ORT and MS, respectively. In the southern areas the prevalence of flocks with positive tracheal swabs for ORT and MS was 16% and 10%; in the northern areas the prevalence was 26% and 40%, respectively. Of the flocks tested, 7% were infected with ORT and MS simultaneously. Further epidemiological studies are recommended to determine risk factors and evaluate the economic consequences of ORT and MS infections in the region. Furthermore, studies are required to isolate ORT and MS and develop vaccines against the local field isolates.     

L-carnitine supplementation,caffeine and fuel oxidation in the exercising rat

The effect of L-carnitine (L-C) supplementation on carnitine status and on the reduction of muscle energy stores during exercise was investigated in the rat. L-C was supplied in the feed (5mg/kg) of trained, male Sprague Dawley rats for 10 days. After supplementation, the concentration of L-C in blood and muscles increased markedly (blood free L-C from 23 to 99 μmol/l, p<0.001; quadriceps, soleus and gluteus muscles, between +36% and +77%, p<0.001). The decrease of total L-C in muscles upon 40 minutes of treadmill running (between −15% and −29% p<0.001) was prevented by this supplementation. Glycogen decrements in both red muscles following exercise were similar either with or without L-C (between −70% and −84%, p<0.01). Intragastric administration of caffeine (15mg/kg) prior to exercise had no effect on circulating fatty acids, increased the mobilization of triglycerides from the quadriceps (p<0.01), but produced no synergistic effect with L-C on the amount of substrates used.     

Dietary supplementation by older adults in Japan

This study documented the prevalence and pattern of dietary supplements usage among older adults in Japan. Persons aged 55-75 years residing in middle and southern Japan were recruited and interviewed face-to-face on their use of dietary supplements. Among the 572 (355 male and 217 female) participants from 10 prefectures, 45.8% took supplements on a weekly or daily basis, the prevalence was higher for women (52.5%) than men (41.7%). Many types of miscellaneous supplements were consumed. The most popular supplement was vinegar for both men (11.0%) and women (15.2%), followed by energy drink (8.5%) for men, and multivitamin (8.5%) for men and vitamin C (8.3%) for women. The findings suggested an increasing trend of dietary supplementation by Japanese older adults when compared to previous studies.     

Iron supplementation increases gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats

Gentamicin (GM), an aminoglycoside antibiotic, can cause acute renal failure in humans and experimental animals. It has been proposed that lipid peroxidation may play a role in GM nephrotoxicity. Nutrients such as copper, selenium or iron that influence lipid peroxidation may also be a factor in toxicity. This study investigated the effect of supplemental dietary iron on the nephrotoxicity of GM. Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed control [0.75 mmol (42 mg) iron/kg] or iron-supplemented [4.32 mmol (242 mg) iron/kg] diets for 3 wk. Rats were subsequently injected intraperitoneally with GM (50 or 100 mg.kg body wt-1.d-1) or saline for 8 d. High dietary iron resulted in greater sensitivity to GM (100 mg/kg body wt) toxicity in terms of elevated urinary excretion of n-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) and increased mineralization, casts and megalocytes in renal tubules. After GM treatment was terminated, NAG excretion decreased with both dietary treatments. However, renal tubular cell damage, due to GM, remained higher than in saline-treated controls in rats fed 4.32 mmol iron/kg diet.     

Bioavailability of water- and lipid-soluble thiamin compounds in broiler chickens

The bioavailability of thiamin mononitrate, thiamin chloride-hydrochloride and benfotiamin was compared in broiler chickens. A thiamin-deficient diet was supplemented with either 1.8 and 1.5 mg/kg thiamin equivalent as water-soluble salts, or with 1.5 and 1.2 mg/kg thiamin equivalent as benfotiamin, respectively, and fed to 3 replicate groups/treatment for 21 days. Weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion rate were not significantly affected by solubility or dietary level of thiamin. Likewise, using biochemical indices of thiamin status (erythrocyte transketolase activation coefficient, and thiamin concentrations in blood and liver), no differences were found between the water-soluble thiamin salts, indicating that they have identical potency. In contrast, biochemical indices of thiamin status showed a significantly higher bioavailability for benfotiamin than for the water-soluble sources.