Effect of aspirin to intentionally induce leaky gut on performance, inflammation, and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle

Abstract

The negative impacts of stress on gastrointestinal tract (GIT) barrier function can result in compromised animal growth and health. Aspirin is known to cause mucosal injury leading to increased gut permeability and tight junction damage and can be used as a model to study leaky gut in cattle. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term impact of aspirin-induced chronic leaky gut on cattle growth and carcass attributes. Two treatments were evaluated in two studies: control (no aspirin) or 0.25% of the diet dry matter (DM) aspirin fed daily. Diets consisted of 50% corn, 24% dried distillers grains, 20% corn silage, and 6% supplement on a DM basis. In experiment 1, sixteen Angus × Simmental heifers, allotted by body weight (BW) and breed composition, were fed diets for 154 d. On day 155, heifers were dosed with 1 liter of a 180-mM Cr–ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solution using an esophageal tube and had urine collected every 1.5 to 3 h for 48 h for analysis of Cr as a measure of gut leakiness. In experiment 2, ninety-six Simmental × Angus steers (355.0 ± 14.8 kg) were allotted by BW and breed composition and fed treatment diets for 159 d. Weight was recorded monthly and serum was collected on day 159 and analyzed for lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Heifers fed 0.25% aspirin in experiment 1 excreted more Cr into urine compared with heifers not fed aspirin (overall treatment effect, P = 0.01). In experiment 2, aspirin tended to increase serum LBP (P = 0.06) but had no effect on concentrations of IL-6, haptoglobin, SAA, or AST (P ≥ 0.25). Aspirin tended to decrease average daily gain (P = 0.10), decreased hot carcass weight and rib-eye area (P ≤ 0.05), and increased fat thickness, marbling score, and yield grade (P ≤ 0.02). Aspirin tended to increase kidney, pelvic, and heart fat percentage (P = 0.10) and had no effect on liver abscesses (P ≥ 0.80). This study indicates that leaky gut induced by long-term administration of aspirin has negative impacts on feedlot performance and carcass composition. The negative impact of aspirin-induced leaky gut on animal performance suggests that chronic leaky gut caused by other factors (subacute acidosis, stress) may be a significant problem for the feedlot industry.

Bacillus paralicheniformis 809 and Bacillus subtilis 810 support in vitro intestinal integrity under hydrogen peroxide and deoxynivalenol challenges

“…2). Others have demonstrated that leaky gut occurrence can trigger an inflammatory response that ultimately leads to significant reductions in dry matter intake and milk yield of lactating dairy cows ( Kvidera et al., 2017a ), as well as reductions in average daily gain that leads to lighter carcasses at slaughter of beef cattle ( Briggs et al., 2021 ). Therefore, evaluating alternatives that support the integrity of the GIT and its cells, while also reducing or alleviating the occurrence of leaky gut, and maintaining adequate health and performance of the beef and dairy cattle herd are imperative to support the profitability of livestock operations.…”

“…The GIT of ruminants is challenged with different stressors, including potentially harmful bacteria, mycotoxins, reactive oxygen species ( ROS ), endotoxins, and pro-inflammatory cytokines that may lead to the occurrence of the hyperpermeable intestine syndrome ( Copani et al., 2021 ; Boll et al., 2024 ; de Gregorio et al., 2023 ). This syndrome, also known as leaky gut, alters the GIT microbiota ( O’Hara, et al., 2020 ), triggering an inflammatory response that leads to production losses in beef and dairy cattle ( Cooke, 2017 ; Kvidera et al., 2017a , b ; Briggs et al., 2021 ). Mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol ( DON ), and ROS accumulation may also lead to dysbiosis and increased permeability of the GIT, leading to damages of the gut epithelium ( Antonissen et al., 2014 ; Mazzoli et al., 2019 ).…”

Impact of combined management strategies of monensin and virginiamycin in high energy diets on ruminal fermentation and nutrients utilization

“…This suggests that the prolonged use of additive combinations may hinder the utilization of one of the primary components of feedlot diets ( 2 , 3 ). Reduced starch degradability in the rumen results in more starch passing into the intestines, which can reduce diet energy utilization ( 47 , 48 ), and trigger inflammatory processes in animals ( 49 ), thus impacting animal performance ( 10 ). Moreover, Squizatti et al ( 24 ) also reported that cattle fed MON decreased ruminal degradability of DM, NDF, ADF, starch, NFE, and TDN, but increased CP degradability when compared to animals consuming VM.…”

Effects of OmniGen® PRO on ruminal fermentation, stress, and inflammation of Holstein cattle induced with a subacute ruminal acidosis

“…However, stress can disrupt or alter a cow's genetic potential for maximum milk production. Many common stressful events, such as transportation, heat stress, and ruminal subacute and acute acidosis, can affect cow health and reduce milk production (Stone, 2004;Hong et al, 2019;Briggs et al, 2021). Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is one of the most common metabolic diseases for lactating dairy cows, affecting about 19% and 26% of early and mid-lactation dairy cows, respectively (Garrett et al, 1997;Oetzel et al, 1999).…”