Quinoa Soluble Fiber and Quercetin Alter the Composition of the Gut Microbiome and Improve Brush Border Membrane Morphology In Vivo (Gallus gallus)

Abstract

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), a gluten-free pseudo-cereal, has gained popularity over the last decade due to its high nutritional value. Quinoa is a rich source of proteins, carbohydrates, fibers, tocopherols (Vitamin E), unsaturated fatty acids and a wide range of polyphenols. The study used Gallus gallus intra-amniotic feeding, a clinically validated method, to assess the effects of quinoa soluble fiber (QSF) and quercetin 3-glucoside (Q3G) versus control. Quercetin is a pharmacologically active polyphenol found in quinoa. Six groups (no injection, 18 Ω H2O, 5% inulin, 1% Q3G, 5% QSF, 1% Q3G + 5% QSF) were assessed for their effect on the brush border membrane (BBM) functionality, intestinal morphology and cecal bacterial populations. Our results showed a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in BBM morphology, particularly goblet and Paneth cell numbers, in the group administered with quinoa and quercetin. However, there were no significant changes seen in the expression of the genes assessed both in the duodenum and liver between any of the treatment groups. Furthermore, fibrous quinoa increased the concentration of probiotic L. plantarum populations compared to the control (H2O). In conclusion, quercetin and quinoa fiber consumption has the potential to improve intestinal morphology and modulate the microbiome.

Alterations in Intestinal Brush Border Membrane Functionality and Bacterial Populations Following Intra-Amniotic Administration (Gallus gallus) of Nicotinamide Riboside and Its Derivatives

“…Therefore, the administration of NRCl and its derivatives triggers altered expression of key BBM genes involved in digestion, and absorption, with additional effects on intestinal microbiota composition and function. Further and as was previously suggested, these functional changes, as demonstrated via gene expression of key BBM proteins (zinc transporter, inflammatory cytokines, absorptive proteins, and mucin), were previously associated with BBM tissue physiological and morphometric alterations, as increased villi size [ 24 , 50 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 ]. These alterations may potentially also be associated with increased proliferation of cellular populations that hold essential roles in BBM function, including, enterocytes, and therefore, increased villus surface area (the intestinal digestive and absorptive surface), and goblet cells (produce and secrete mucus), both number and diameter in intestinal villi and crypt [ 18 , 22 , 24 , 47 , 50 , 93 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 ].…”

Alterations in Intestinal Brush Border Membrane Functionality and Bacterial Populations Following Intra-Amniotic Administration (Gallus gallus) of Catechin and Its Derivatives

“…These compounds did not significantly affect the body weight, cecum, or to-body weight ratio ( Table 1 ). A potential explanation for this finding is the previous short exposure period in other intra-amniotic administration studies investigating the effects of plant-origin bioactive compounds [ 44 , 45 , 48 , 52 , 54 ].…”

“…As previously described [ 34 , 43 , 44 , 46 ], the primers used in the real-time polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) were designed using Real-Time Primer Design Tool software (IDT DNA, Coralvilla, IA, USA) based on 13 gene sequences from the GenBank database. The sequences are shown in Table S1 .…”

“…Villus epithelium analysis was conducted as previously published [ 43 , 44 , 52 , 53 ]. The duodenal samples were soaked in buffered formaldehyde (4% ( v / v )), dehydrated, cleared, and embedded in paraffin.…”

“…Recently, the positive impact of catechins, as food additives, on poultry growth performance and egg quality has been studied and found to improve poultry antioxidant status [ 41 , 42 ]. Our present study utilizes the intra-amniotic administration approach ( in ovo feeding) in the Gallus gallus , where the amniotic fluid, which is naturally and orally consumed by the embryo starting at day 17, is entirely consumed by hatch, which allows for testing the effects of the solution administered into the amniotic fluid on the different systems of interest [ 29 , 39 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. In the current study, the impact of intra-amniotic administration of catechin and its derivatives at a dosage range of 6.2–12.8 mg/mL on BBM functionality was assessed by evaluating duodenal gene expression of biomarkers of mineral status, BBM digestive and absorptive ability, immune function, and inflammation in vivo in the Gallus gallus .…”