We assessed the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Co, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Ni in chicken meat and meat products, feed, and litter, as well as laying hens’ eggs, feed and litter to monitor the quality of products on the market and their safety for human consumption as judged by recommended daily allowance (RDA) and tolerable upper levels. Samples were chosen as the most popular poultry products in Saudi Arabia. A total of 45 broiler samples of frozen or fresh meat, liver, burger, or frankfurter were chosen from the same brand. Additionally, 60 table eggs from four commercial brands were collected, and the edible parts of these were used to determine levels of minerals and toxic elements. Furthermore, 30 feed and litter samples were collected from the starter, grower, and layer diets of broilers and laying hens. The results indicated that there were significant levels of most of the trace elements and heavy metals in the different meat sources. Furthermore, the liver contained the highest levels of elements, except for Cr, Co, and Ni. The highest Cr level was detected in the fresh meat, followed by frozen meat. Trace elements (Mn and Co) and heavy metals (Ni and Pb) were not detected in either the frozen or the fresh meat. The chicken burger and the frankfurter exhibited similar trace-element and heavy-metal contents, except for Zn and Mn, as the frankfurter showed higher concentrations than the burger. Differences in most of the trace and toxic elements among the different sources of eggs were not found to be significant, except for Zn. Differences between the broiler meat and table eggs were only substantial for Fe and Zn. Fe was significantly higher in meat than in eggs, and the opposite trend was found for Zn. The liver contained higher heavy metals than the eggs, except for Cr. In addition, the burger had higher concentrations of essential (Cu and Co) and heavy metals (Pb and Ni) than the eggs but had lower levels of Zn and Cr. The frankfurter exhibited significantly higher levels of Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Pb, and Ni than the eggs but lower levels of Zn and Cr. To summarize, Cd, Pb, As, and Se were not detected in the broiler meat or eggs, indicating no risks from these toxic elements. Conversely, the liver exhibited the highest content of heavy metals, except for Cr, indicating that the intake of Pb and Cd was above the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for adults. The meat products exhibited higher Pb, Cd, and Ni levels than the broiler meat and the table eggs, suggesting that they posed a health threat to humans, and the intake of Pb in the meat products was higher than the RDA. Thus, chicken meat and table eggs, which are primary protein sources, are safe sources of human nutrition, while liver and meat products may present potential health hazards through the food chain.

Eggs are an important source of food due to its favorable effects on human health derived from the protein, fats, minerals, vitamins and bioactive components. We studied the effects of source of eggs in the retail market on fatty acids, lipid profiles and antioxidant status in eggs. Eggs from four sources named A, B, C, and D in the retail market were collected to determine fatty acid, total lipid, and cholesterol profiles; hypocholesterolemic, atherogenic and thrombotic indices; antioxidant status (e.g., of malondialdehyde); and total antioxidant capacity in the whole edible parts of eggs (albumen + yolk) and egg yolk. Samples were collected four times and pooled over times to represent 5 and 10 samples per source for determinations of fatty acids and determinations of lipid profiles and antioxidant status, respectively. Fatty acid, total lipid, and cholesterol profiles; hypocholesterolemic, atherogenic and thrombotic indices; presence of malondialdehyde; and total antioxidant capacity in the whole edible parts of eggs and egg yolk showed significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) among different sources of eggs in retail market. Source D showed higher levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and linoleic and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)/polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio but lower levels of MUFA and linolenic, arachidonic, eicosapentaeonic (EPA), decohexaenoic (DHA), and total ω9 fatty acids and lower unsaturated fatty acids (UFA)/SFA ratio. Similar trend was shown in fatty acids profiles of the whole edible parts of eggs. On the other hand, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), LDL/high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio, and atherogenic and thrombogenic indices and total antioxidant capacity of source D were significantly higher than those of other source, but levels of hypocholesterolemic index, and malondialdehyde levels were lower for source D. Eggs in the retail market in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia, from May to August 2015 showed a different pattern of fatty acid and cholesterol profiles; hypocholesterolemic, atherogenic, and thrombogenic indices; and antioxidant status, which might reflect the nutritional and husbandry practice of laying hens. This can affect the nutritional values of eggs, and hence, customer benefits, suggesting the need for standardization and quality control based on nutrient index values.

The supplementation of different ω-6/ω-3 ratio to the diets of the laying hens has been studied to evaluate the effects on performance, egg quality, egg health indices, egg fatty acid profiles, and immune response. One-hundred and twenty, 50-weeks-old hens were divided into three groups fed diets with different ω-6/ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) at ratio: 16.7:1, 9.3:1, and 5.5:1, respectively. Each group contained eight replicates of five hens. Hens fed the diet with the highest ω-6/ω-3 ratio had significantly increased weight gain compared to those fed the 5.5:1 and 9.3:1 ω-6/ω-3 ratios. In contrast, hens fed the 9.3:1 ω-6/ω-3 ratios laid significantly more eggs, had increased egg mass, greater livability, and a better FCR than the control group. However, hens fed a ratio of 5.5:1 ω-6/ω-3 PUFA showed improved thrombogenic, atherogenic, hypocholesteremia, and hypocholesteremia/hypercholesteremia indices. In conclusion, laying hens of the 9.3:1 ω-6/ω-3 PUFA group showed improved laying performance, while a ratio of 5.5:1 enriched the ω-3 PUFA in eggs and boosted the immune response of hens.

Objective: The potential of aqueous extract of Christ’s thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) leaves (SLAE) to reduce the negative impacts of heat stress on production performance and physiological traits was investigated in dual-purpose layers under subtropical farming.Methods: A total of 200, 25-week-old laying hens (Inshas strain) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments including SLAE at 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mL/kg, respectively. The average temperature-humidity index value was 26.69 during the experimental period. The SLAE contained saponin (0.045%), total flavonoid content of 17.9 mg of quercetin equivalent/ 100 g and overall antioxidant capacity concentration of 17.9 mg of ascorbic acid equivalent/100 g.Results: The maximum final body weight (BW), BW gain, egg weight, number, and mass occurred at the level of SLAE7.5 inclusion. The egg quality was significantly higher in SLAE groups than in control, and overall, SLAE7.5 had the most favorable influence at 28 and 32 weeks. Liver and kidney function, as well as lipids profile, improved significantly by SLAE inclusion; the lowest concentrations of these parameters were in SLAE7.5 hens. Treatment with SLAE7.5 increased total antioxidant capacity and endogenous antioxidant enzymes compared to control, whereas no effect on superoxide dismutase was noticed.Conclusion: The addition of SLAE at 7.5 mL/kg diet improved egg laying performance and quality, metabolic profiles, and antioxidant status during hyperthermia conditions.

This study evaluated the protective effects of green coffee (Coffea arabica L.) extract (GCE) against metabolic and endocrine disturbances induced by fipronil (FIP) in male rats. Animals were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 6): control, GCE (100 mg/kg), FIP (4.85 mg/kg), and combined FIP + GCE, and treated orally for 90 days. FIP exposure significantly impaired glucose homeostasis, as indicated by a 14.8% increase in the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) response and a 2.4-fold increase in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). It also disrupted lipid metabolism, with marked elevations in triglycerides (74.10%) and total cholesterol (57.55%). Endocrine imbalance was evident, including increased resistin levels (113.86%) and reduced triiodothyronine (T3; −37.5%), adiponectin (−42.73%), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL; −9.31%). Oxidative stress and inflammation were significantly enhanced, as demonstrated by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA; +93.56%) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β: +246.56%; IL-6: +275%), alongside a reduction in total antioxidant capacity (TAC; −45.24%). Additionally, serum albumin levels decreased markedly (−54%). Co-administration of GCE significantly improved metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory parameters, including insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Histopathological analysis further confirmed its protective effects on hepatic and renal tissues. Overall, GCE mitigates FIP-induced metabolic and endocrine dysfunction, likely through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent synovitis, progressive joint destruction, and significant morbidity. Despite advances in targeted therapies, achieving sustained remission remains challenging, necessitating the exploration of novel, multi-targeted therapeutic strategies. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of a self-emulsifying nanoformulation, quercetin-loaded pumpkin seed oil nanoemulsion (Qu-PSONE), in a complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced RA rat model, focusing on elucidating its integrated molecular mechanisms. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n = 50) were divided into a normal control group (n = 10) and an RA-induced rat model (n = 40), with the latter being further subdivided into four experimental groups: RA control, free quercetin (Qu), pumpkin seed oil nanoemulsion (PSONE), and Qu-PSONE-treated groups. We performed comprehensive analyses, including physicochemical characterization of the nanoformulations and quantification of synovial protein levels of key mediators (IL-17, TLR-4, NF-κBp65, Nrf2, OPG, RANKL, JAK1, and STAT3) via ELISA. In parallel, synovial gene expression of GSDMD and miRNA-146a was assessed using RT-qPCR. Treatment efficacy was further evaluated through paw thickness measurements, clinical arthritis scoring, radiographic assessment of joint erosion, and histopathological examination, alongside immunohistochemical staining for TNF-α and MMP-9. Results: Our findings demonstrate that Qu-PSONE exerts a superior nutrigenomic inhibitory effect on the inflammatory cascade and joint deformity associated with CFA-induced adjuvant arthritis. The Qu-PSONE significantly modulated miRNA-146a expression, serving as a sensitive indicator of attenuated synoviocyte activation. This treatment concurrently increased Nrf2 synovial level, suppressed synovial NF-κBp65, TLR-4, and IL-17 levels, which in turn downstream-inhibited the JAK/STAT pathway, balanced RANKL/OPG signaling, and downregulated transcriptional priming of the pyroptotic marker GSDMD. Together, these findings demonstrate that Qu-PSONE effectively breaks the inflammatory cascade in adjuvant arthritis. These palliative effects of Qu-PSONE were robustly correlated with reduced paw edema, improved arthritis scores, mitigated radiographic joint damage, and diminished synovial infiltration and MMP-9 expression, as confirmed by histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Conclusions: Qu-PSONE halts arthritic progression and curtails joint damage through multitarget suppression of the NF-κBp65/TLR-4/IL-17 inflammatory axis at the synovial level. This response is accompanied by reduced JAK1 and STAT3 protein expression, re-established RANKL/OPG homeostasis to mitigate bone destruction, and attenuated GSDMD transcript levels, with miRNA-146a serving as a responsive biomarker of disease resolution.