This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplementing broiler chicken diets with an encapsulated product based on capsicum and other spice (black pepper and ginger) extracts on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, digestive enzyme activity and antioxidant response. To this end, 480 1-day-old male chicks were randomly assigned to two experimental treatments (12 pens/treatment; 20 birds/pen). Dietary treatments included a basal diet with no additives (CONTROL) and a basal diet supplemented with 250 ppm of the spice additive (SPICY; Lucta S.A., Spain). Supplementation of SPICY increased body weight (p < 0.05) compared with CONTROL at 7 d of age and improved (p < 0.01) ADG from 0 to 7 d of age. The apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, gross energy and crude protein was higher (p < 0.05) in birds fed the SPICY diet compared with the CONTROL diet. Birds fed SPICY showed lower (p < 0.05) plasma catalase (CAT) activity, and the hepatic gene expression of CAT and Nrf2 was down-regulated (p < 0.05) compared with the CONTROL. In conclusion, the inclusion of 250 ppm of SPICY in broiler diets improved growth performance at 7 d of age and positively affected nutrient digestibility and antioxidant response.

Feed restriction and fasting experienced during commercial production negatively affect unweaned calves' behavior and health status. Transportation and stays at assembly centers are the main factors generating these disorders. For this study, 20 unweaned Angus-Holstein bull calves [44.1 ± 2.04 kg of body weight (BW) and 14.7 ± 0.63 d of age (± standard error)] were used to evaluate the effects of feed restriction and fasting on performance, energy status [serum concentration of glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and nonesterified fatty acids], and gastrointestinal permeability [serum concentration of citrulline, chromium (Cr)-EDTA, lactulose, and d-mannitol]. Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments that simulated the feed restrictions of an assembly center situation on one hand, and the fasting hours during transportation on the other. Treatments were as follows. Control (CT): from d -4 to -1, calves were fed 2.5 L of milk replacer (MR) twice daily; concentrate and straw were offered ad libitum. Mild (MD): calves were fed only MR (d -4 to -1) as described for CT, and on d -1 calves were subjected to a 9-h feed withdrawal. Moderate (MO): calves were fed only MR (d -4 to -1) as described for CT and on d -1 subjected to a 19-h feed withdrawal. Severe (SV): calves were fed only 2.5 L of a rehydrating solution twice daily (d -4 to -1) and on d -1 subjected to a 19-h feed withdrawal. From d 0 to d 42 (weaning) all calves were fed the same feeding program (MR, concentrate, and straw ad libitum). Results showed that BW was greater for the CT treatment compared with the others from d 0 to d 7, whereas BW of SV was lesser compared with the others from d -1 to d 7. No differences among treatments were observed at weaning. At d 2 concentrate intakes of MD, MO, and SV were lesser compared with CT. By d 4, concentrate intake of SV was similar to that for CT and greater than MD and MO. Similarly to BW, no differences in concentrate intake among treatments were observed at weaning on d 42 of the study. At d -1 for SV and d 0 in all restricted calves, serum glucose concentration was lesser compared with CT. At d -1 and 0, nonesterified fatty acids and BHB serum concentrations were greater in the SV calves compared with the other treatments. By d 2, serum concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids, BHB, and glucose were restored to CT levels. At d -1 serum citrulline concentration was lesser in SV and greater in MD calves. The CT calves had lower serum concentrations of Cr-EDTA (d -1 and d 0), lactulose (d 0), and d-mannitol (d 0) compared with the other restricted calves. Results showed that degree of dietary restriction, type of liquid diet (MR or rehydrating solution), and fasting hours (9 vs. 19 h) affected calves' BW, concentrate intake, and serum concentration of markers indicative of energy status and gastrointestinal permeability.

The effects of supplementing chicken diets with an olive pomace extract (OE) from Olea europaea on performance and gut health after a challenge of intestinal permeability (IP) increase were studied. Treatments included a control diet with no additives (CF), and diets supplemented with 100 ppm of monensin (MF) or with 500 (OE500F) and 1500 ppm (OE1500F) of an OE. At 14 d, all birds, except those allocated in a control group (CNF), were submitted to a 15.5 h short-term fasting period to induce IP increase. Fasting increased (p < 0.05) lactulose/mannitol ratio and Alpha 1 Acid Glycoprotein concentration, and reduced (p < 0.001) villus/crypt ratio. Moreover, a down-regulation of Claudin-1 (p < 0.05), an up-regulation of TLR4 and IL-8 (p < 0.05) ileal gene expression was observed in CF birds compared to CNF. OE500F treatment reduced duodenal crypt depth compared to CF (p < 0.05; OE linear effect). Mannitol concentration and ileal IL-8 expression were reduced in OE500F compared to CF and OE1500F (p = 0.05). Fasting challenge induced an increase in IP triggering an inflammatory response. Supplementation of OE up to 1500 ppm did not affect growth performance and alleviated some of the negative effects of the fasting challenge.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat that is worryingly rising in the livestock sector. Among the proposed strategies, immunostimulant development appears an interesting approach to increase animal resilience at critical production points. The use of nanoparticles based on cytokine aggregates, called inclusion bodies (IBs), has been demonstrated as a new source of immunostimulants in aquaculture. Aiming to go a step further, the objective of this study was to produce cytokine nanoparticles using a food-grade microorganism and to test their applicability to stimulate intestinal mucosa in swine. Four cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) involved in inflammatory response were produced recombinantly in Lactococcus lactis in the form of protein nanoparticles (IBs). They were able to stimulate inflammatory responses in a porcine enterocyte cell line (IPEC-J2) and alveolar macrophages, maintaining high stability at low pH and high temperature. In addition, an in vivo assay was conducted involving 20 piglets housed individually as a preliminary exploration of the potential effects of IL-1β nanoparticles in piglet intestinal mucosa after a 7 d oral administration. The treated animals tended to have greater levels of TNF-α in the blood, indicating that the tested dose of nanoparticles tended to generate an inflammatory response in the animals. Whether this response is sufficient to increase animal resilience needs further evaluation.

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of an olive pomace extract (OE) and a fat-encapsulated extract composed of a blend of oleoresins from Capsicum sp., black pepper, and ginger (SPICY) on broiler chicken performance and antioxidant function. In total, 640 1-day-old male chicks were randomly assigned to five experimental diets (eight replicates/treatment, 16 birds/replicate). Diets included a basal diet with no added vitamin E (NC), NC plus 100 ppm of vitamin E (PC), NC plus 1250 ppm of OE, NC plus 250 ppm of (SPICY), and NC plus 1250 ppm OE plus 250 ppm of SPICY (SPIOE). Phytogenic additives were supplied by Lucta S.A., Spain. Compared to the NC, the PC significantly (p < 0.05) increased ADG from 8 to 14 days of age, with both OE and SPICY showing intermediate values between both controls. At the end of this trial, at 35 days of age, a significant (p < 0.05) increase in plasma GPx activity was observed in PC-fed birds compared to the NC, with no effects of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity. Birds fed the OE and SPICY displayed intermediate values of GPx activity compared to both controls. The expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and glutathione S-Transferase Alpha 4 (GSTA4) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the jejunal mucosa of birds fed the OE compared to the NC. Moreover, the expression of HSP70 was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in birds fed the OE compared to SPICY but was not significantly different compared to the blend of both extracts (SPIOE). In conclusion, OE and SPICY were useful in maintaining growth performance in no vit E-supplemented diets, particularly in the case of OE mediated by its antioxidant action through HSP70.