Effects of dietary quercetin on the antioxidative status and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens fed with oxidized oil

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of quercetin on the antioxidant ability, intestinal barrier functions, and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens fed with oxidized soya oil. Four hundred eighty male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned to 5 treatments, each involving 8 cages (12 birds per cage). The treatment groups were as follows: the control group, birds fed with basal diets containing oxidized oil, and birds fed with basal diets containing oxidized oil and supplemented with 200 ppm of quercetin, 400 ppm of quercetin, and 800 ppm of quercetin. The results showed that dietary supplementation with quercetin at a dose of 400 ppm or 800 ppm alleviated the increased serum malondialdehyde ( MDA ) level induced by oxidized oil on day 11 ( P = 0.005) and reversed the increased MDA level in the mucosa on day 11 ( P = 0.021). Quercetin significantly upregulated the transcription of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 ( Nrf2 ) and its downstream genes such as catalase ( P < 0.001), superoxide dismutase 1 ( P < 0.001), glutathione peroxidase 2 ( P = 0.018), heme oxygenase-1 ( HO-1 ) ( P = 0.0), and thioredoxin ( P = 0.002) and reversed the mRNA expression of HO-1 ( P = 0.007) in the ileal mucosa. Tight junction protein 1 was only downregulated by oxidized oil ( P = 0.013). In addition, quercetin (800 ppm) alleviated the decreased mRNA expression of mucin 2 ( MUC2 ), which contributed to the intestinal chemical barrier ( P = 0.039). The supplemental dose of 400 ppm of quercetin was able to promote Lactobacillus in the cecum, which enhanced the gastrointestinal tract health. In summary, these results indicated that quercetin ameliorated the oxidized oil–induced oxidative stress by upregulating the transcription of Nrf2 and its downstream genes to restore redox balance and reinforced the intestinal barrier via higher expression and secretion of MUC2 and facilitating the growth of Lactobacillus in the cecum. Therefore, quercetin could be a potential feed additive that can be applied in poultry production for amelioration of oxidative stress caused by oxidized oil and preventing the potential invasion of exogenous pathogens.

Potential Implications of Citrulline and Quercetin on Gut Functioning of Monogastric Animals and Humans: A Comprehensive Review

“…In antibiotic-treated mice, quercetin supplementation improved the diversity of the gut bacterial community, increased the length of intestinal villi, and improved mucosal thickness [120]. Another study also reported that quercetin suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-17, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the colon tissues, and enhanced the population of Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Clostridia, but significantly reduced those of Fusobacterium and Enterococcus [121]. Quercetin also inhibited the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinomyces viscosus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Helicobacter pylori [121].…”

Mitigation Effects of Bentonite and Yeast Cell Wall Binders on AFB1, DON, and OTA Induced Changes in Laying Hen Performance, Egg Quality, and Health

“…The organ index was calculated according to the formula, organ index (g/kg) = organ weight/body weight [ 11 , 50 ]. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as well as concentrations of albumin (ALB) and total protein (TP) in serum were measured by an automatic biochemistry analyzer (Beckman Synchron CX4PRO, Brea, CA, USA).…”

Redox Homeostasis in Poultry: Regulatory Roles of NF-κB

“…The influence of selenium and selenoproteins in maintaining redox balance and immune responses of poultry and pigs was presented [ 11 ], and the effect of oxidative stress and redox disbalance on inflammation, including a detailed immune system investigation, was discussed [ 12 , 13 ]. Oxidative stress-related disturbances of the redox balance in the poultry gut have also been described [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. The long-term effects of Ochratoxin A on the glutathione redox system in chickens have been investigated [ 17 ], and the protective effects of milk thistle on redox-homeostasis imbalance of duck liver imposed by mycotoxins [ 18 ] were shown.…”