The effect of grape seed and grape marc meal extract on milk performance and the expression of genes of endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation in the liver of dairy cows in early lactation

Abstract

During the periparturient phase, cows are typically in an inflammation-like condition, and it has been suggested that inflammation associated with the development of stress of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in the liver contributes to the development of fatty liver syndrome and ketosis. In the present study, we investigated the hypothesis that feeding grape seed and grape marc meal extract (GSGME) as a plant extract rich in flavonoids attenuates inflammation and ER stress in the liver of dairy cows. Two groups of cows received either a total mixed ration as a control diet or the same total mixed ration supplemented with 1% of GSGME over the period from wk 3 prepartum to wk 9 postpartum. Dry matter intake during wk 3 to 9 postpartum was not different between the 2 groups. However, the cows fed the diet supplemented with GSGME had an increased milk yield and an increased daily milk protein yield. Cows supplemented with GSGME moreover had a significantly reduced mRNA abundancy of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21, a stress hormone induced by various stress conditions, in the liver in wk 1 and 3 postpartum. In contrast, mRNA abundances of a total of 3 genes involved in inflammation and 14 genes involved in ER stress response, as well as concentrations of triacylglycerols and cholesterol, in liver samples of wk 1 and 3 postpartum did not differ between the 2 groups. Overall, this study shows that supplementation of GSGME did not influence inflammation or ER stress in the liver but increased milk yield, an effect that could be due to effects on ruminal metabolism.

Analysis of hepatic transcript profile and plasma lipid profile in early lactating dairy cows fed grape seed and grape marc meal extract

“…At this time point, both metabolic and inflammatory stress markers, such as plasma NEFA, plasma BHBA and hepatic mRNA concentrations of acute phase proteins (APPs), were increased most compared to later sampling time points (week 3 and week 5) in this study and another study [13, 24]. In this experiment, 28 Holstein cows with an average parity number of 2.8 were used as experimental animals.…”

“…For this investigation, we used liver and plasma samples collected at 1 week postpartum of an experiment with dairy cows [13]. At this time point, both metabolic and inflammatory stress markers, such as plasma NEFA, plasma BHBA and hepatic mRNA concentrations of acute phase proteins (APPs), were increased most compared to later sampling time points (week 3 and week 5) in this study and another study [13, 24].…”

“…In the period between week 3 prepartum and calving, a total mixed ration (TMR) was fed which was calculated to meet the demand of net energy (NE) and crude protein (CP) requirement of a dry cow with a BW of 650 kg and an assumed dry matter intake (DMI) of 12 kg/d, according to the German Society of Nutrition Physiology [25]. After calving, all animals were offered a basal TMR calculated to meet the demand of net energy and CP requirement for producing 34 kg of milk, with an assumed daily DMI of 22 kg [13]. Feed components were collected fortnightly and analyzed according to the official methods of Verband der Deutschen Landwirtschaftlichen Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalten [26].…”

“…The analyzed chemical composition of the TMR offered during dry period and lactation was in average of control and GSGME group as follows (per kg DM): 6.5 and 6.8 MJ NE L , 140 and 166 g CP, 383 and 356 g neutral detergent fiber. More details on the analytical composition of the TMR have been published recently [13]. In the time period from 3 week before the expected calving date until week 9 postpartum, the basal TMR of the GSGME group was supplemented with 1% of GSGME (Antaox, Dr. Eckel, Niederzissen, Germany) based on DM content.…”

“…Numerous studies in humans and rodents have shown that polyphenols are exerting antioxidative, antiinflammatory, cardioprotective, cancer chemopreventive and neuroprotective properties [11, 12]. In a recent study, we investigated the hypothesis that feeding grape seed and grape marc meal extract (GSGME), an inexpensive byproduct of wine and grape juice processing rich in flavonoids, to dairy cows might attenuate inflammation and ER stress in the liver during the transition period [13]. In that study, cows fed GSGME during the transition period had an increased milk yield and had a reduced mRNA concentration of fibroblast-growth factor (FGF)-21, a stress hormone, in the liver at week 1 and week 3 postpartum.…”