Deoxynivalenol (DON) is extensively detected in many kinds of foods and feeds to harm human and animal health. This research aims to investigate the effect of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on alleviating inflammation and apoptosis of swine jejunal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) triggered by DON. The results demonstrated that cell viability was decreased when DON concentrations increased or incubation time expanded. The pretreatment with CGA (40 μg/mL) for 1 h increased cell viability, decreased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and apoptosis in cells triggered by DON at 0.5 μg/mL for 6 h, compared with the DON alone-treated cells. Moreover, the mRNA abundances of IL-8, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, caspase-3, Bax and ASCT2 genes, and protein expressions of COX-2, Bax and ASCT2 were significantly down-regulated; while the mRNA abundances of ZO-1, claudin-1, occludin, PePT1 and GLUT2 genes, and protein expressions of ZO-1, claudin-1 and PePT1 were significantly up-regulated in the CGA + DON group, compared with the DON alone group. This study indicated that CGA pretreatment alleviated cytotoxicity, inflammation and apoptosis in DON-triggered IPEC-J2 cells, and protected intestinal cell integrity from DON damages.

The potential of fungal probiotics as ruminant feed additives has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of A. oryzae and T. longibrachiatum supplementation on Angus cattle during the early stages of fattening. In this study, 80 Angus cattle aged approximately 9~10 months (40 males and 40 females), with an average initial body weight (BW) of 276.46 ± 27.92 kg, were randomly assigned to four groups. Each group included 4 replicates (2 replicates of males and 2 replicates of females). Each replicate contained 5 male or 5 female Angus cattle. Cattle in the control group received a total mixed ration (TMR) without additives, while those in test groups 1, 2, and 3 received a TMR supplemented with complex probiotics (CPs) at 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 g·kg⁻¹ of feed dry matter (DM), respectively. The adaptation and experimental periods were 7 and 60 days, respectively. Compared with those in the control group, the apparent digestibility of ether extract, calcium, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) was higher in test group 3. Test group 2 exhibited increased apparent digestibility of hemicellulose. Meanwhile, test group 3 exhibited increased levels of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total volatile fatty acids and decreased pH. CPs increased the abundance of the SR1 phylum, Solibacillus, Lysinibacillus, and Planococcaceae_Bacillus and decreased the proportions of Lactococcus, Ruminococcus, and Ophryoscolex. Solibacillus was associated with the apparent digestibility of CP, Ca, and ADF. Planococcaceae_Bacillus was associated with increased apparent digestibility of CP, ADF, and hemicellulose. This suggests that CPs improve crude protein and cellulose digestion by increasing the proportions of Solibacillus and Planococcaceae_Bacillus. Therefore, the optimal CP dietary supplementation dose for Angus cattle was 3 g·kg⁻¹ of DM.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) and patulin (PAT) are common mycotoxins in cereals and fruits, posing health risks for animals and human beings. In order to study their liver toxicity, 24 mice were randomly assigned to four groups, with six replicates in each group (one mouse per cage). The mice were intragastrically administered with DON, PAT, DON + PAT (DP), or without DON and PAT (the control group) for 28 days, respectively. The results showed that body weight gain was significantly reduced by all toxin treatments, compared with the control group, and the lowest body weight gain was observed in the DP group. Histopathology revealed that hepatocyte damage and inflammatory infiltration were more serious in the DP group, exhibiting the highest mRNA abundances of MyD88, IFN-γ, and JAK2. The severity of hepatocyte apoptosis induced in each group followed the order: DON > DP > PAT; the severity of oxidative stress was ranked as DP > DON > PAT. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that numerous differentially expressed genes were regulated by DP treatment, which were mainly enriched in the MAPK, JAK-STAT, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathways. In conclusion, individual exposure to DON or PAT triggered hepatic injury, and their co-exposure further exacerbated liver damage.