The hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway plays a key role in both embryonic and postnatal development of the intestine and is responsible for gut homeostasis. It regulates stem cell renewal, formation of the villous–crypt axis, differentiation of goblet and Paneth cells, the cell cycle, apoptosis, development of gut innervation, and lipid metabolism. Ligands of the Hh pathway, i.e., Indian hedgehog (Ihh) and Sonic hedgehog (Shh), are expressed by superficial enterocytes but act in the mesenchyme, where they are bound by a Patched receptor localised on myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. This activates a cascade leading to the transcription of target genes, including those encoding G1/S-specific cyclin-D2 and -E1, B-cell lymphoma 2, fibroblast growth factor 4, and bone morphogenetic protein 4. The Hh pathway is tightly connected to Wnt signalling. Ihh is the major ligand in the Hh pathway. Its activation inhibits proliferation, while its blocking induces hyperproliferation and triggers a wound-healing response. Thus, Ihh is a negative feedback regulator of cell proliferation. There are data indicating that diet composition may affect the expression of the Hh pathway genes and proteins, which in turn, induces changes in mucosal architecture. This was shown for fat, vitamin A, haem, berberine, and ovotransferrin. The Hh signalling is also affected by the intestinal microbiota, which affects the intestinal barrier integrity. This review highlights the critical importance of the Hh pathway in shaping the intestinal mucosa and summarises the results obtained so far in research on the effect of dietary constituents on the activity of this pathway.

This study aimed to determine the effects of Zn sources, used with potato fiber (PF) or lignocellulose (LC), on electrolyte concentration and the mucus layer in the large intestine of pigs. The experiment involved 24 barrows with an initial body weight of 10.8 ± 0.82 kg, divided into four groups fed the following diets: LC and ZnSO₄, LC and Zn glycinate (ZnGly), PF and ZnSO₄, or PF and ZnGly. Fiber supplements provided 10 g crude fiber/kg diet, while Zn additives introduced 120 mg Zn/kg diet. After four weeks of feeding, the pigs were sacrificed and digesta and tissue samples were taken from the cecum and colon. PF increased the water content and decreased the phosphorus concentration in the large intestine in comparison with LC. PF also increased calcium, iron, and chloride concentrations in the descending colon. Mucus layer thickness and histological parameters of the large intestine were not affected. ZnGly diets increased MUC12 expression in the cecum as compared to the LC-ZnSO₄ group. In the ascending colon, the PF-ZnGly diet increased MUC5AC expression, while both PF groups had greater MUC20 expression in comparison with the LC-ZnSO₄ group. In the transverse colon, the LC-ZnGly group and both PF groups had higher MUC5AC expression in comparison with the LC-ZnSO₄ group, and both ZnGly groups had higher MUC20 expression than ZnSO₄ groups. PF and ZnGly increased MUC4 and MUC5AC expression in the descending colon. PF and ZnGly may exert a beneficial effect on colon health in pigs by upregulating the expression of the MUC5AC and MUC20 genes and are more effective than LC and ZnSO₄.

Poultry meat, due to its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, is particularly susceptible to lipid oxidation, which affects its quality and shelf life. Optimizing meat composition, including fatty acid profile and antioxidant activity, is essential for consumer health. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing hydrogel capsules containing immobilized lavender essential oil (HE group) and capsules without immobilized essential oil (H group) on the oxidative stability, fatty acid profile, and mineral composition of broiler chicken breast muscles. The study results showed that supplementation with the lavender oil hydrogel (HE) significantly reduced total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and CuZn-SOD activity in breast muscles. Although TBARS values did not show significant differences, the reduced SOD activity may indicate decreased free radical production or more effective action of other antioxidant mechanisms. The fatty acid profile was significantly altered, with a lower content of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) observed in the HE group. Significant changes were also observed in the mineral composition of the muscles. The HE group had a higher sodium content and lower copper and iron levels compared to the control group. These changes may indicate an effect of the hydrogel and essential oil on mineral metabolism and bioavailability. The study suggests that hydrogels with immobilized lavender essential oil (LEO) may positively affect poultry meat quality by improving its fatty acid profile and oxidative stability, although these mechanisms require further research and confirmation.

In this study, two different ITFs sources were incorporated into a cereal-based diet to evaluate possible aortic protein and gene changes in nursery pigs. The animals were fed two different experimental diets from the 10th day of life, supplemented with either 4% of dried chicory root (CR) or with 2% of native inulin (IN). After a 40-day dietary intervention trial, pigs were sacrificed at day 50 and the aortas were harvested. Our data indicate that dietary ITFs have the potential to influence several structural and physiological changes that are reflected both in the mRNA and protein levels in porcine aorta. In contrast to our hypothesis, we could not show any beneficial effects of a CR diet on vascular functions. The direction of changes of several proteins and genes may indicate disrupted ECM turnover (COL6A1 and COL6A2, MMP2, TIMP3, EFEMP1), increased inflammation and lipid accumulation (FFAR2), as well as decreased activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (TXNDC5, ORM1). On the other hand, the IN diet may counteract a highly pro-oxidant environment through the endothelin–NO axis (CALR, TCP1, HSP8, PDIA3, RCN2), fibrinolytic activity (ANXA2), anti-atherogenic (CAVIN-1) and anti-calcification (LMNA) properties, thus contributing to the maintenance of vascular homeostasis.

The present study investigated the impact of microplastics, specifically polystyrene microparticles (PS-MP), on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) neurohormonal axis, which regulates reproductive functions in animals and humans. The primary objective was to examine the effects of PS-MP on the expression of key genes and hormone concentrations within the gonadotropic system of sheep. Two doses of PS-MP—the lower dose (LD; 0.015 mg/kg) and the higher dose (HD; 0.15 mg/kg)—were administered intravenously every three days over two estrous cycles (34 days). Both doses significantly decreased the relative abundance of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) transcripts in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH), whereas only the HD reduced GnRH mRNA levels in the preoptic area (POA). These transcript-level changes were not accompanied by detectable alterations in GnRH protein concentration. In the MBH, the expression of kisspeptin (KISS-1) and neurokinin B (NKB) genes decreased following exposure to the HD, whereas in the POA, significant decrease in expression were observed only after the LD administration. Changes in prodynorphin (PDYN) gene expression were confined to the MBH and were dose-dependent: the LD increased transcript levels, whereas the HD caused a decrease. The HD of PS-MP also significantly downregulated GnRH receptor (GnRHR) expression in the anterior pituitary (AP). Both PS-MP doses resulted in marked reductions in luteinizing hormone beta (LHβ) and follicle-stimulating hormone beta (FSHβ) subunit gene expression in the AP, without significant changes in hormone protein concentrations. Exposure to PS-MP reduced plasma LH and FSH concentrations: the lower dose reduced both hormones, while the higher dose significantly reduced mainly FSH, showing statistical differences between doses. To summarize, the present study demonstrates that PS-MP exerts a modulatory effect on the secretory activity of the central reproductive system in sheep, at both the hypothalamic and pituitary levels. Consequently, PS-MP has the potential to induce significant disruptions to the reproductive processes of large farm animals.