Marine and plant-based omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) are widely added to animal diets to promote growth and immunity. We tested the hypothesis that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and their 1:2 combination could counteract acute or long-term damage of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in Intestinal Porcine Epithelial Cell line-J2 (IPEC-J2). The results showed that 24 h treatment with EPA or DHA exhibited proliferative effects in IPEC-J2 cells at low to moderate concentrations (6.25–50 μM) (p < 0.05). Further, 24 h pretreatment with individual DHA (3.3 µM), EPA (6.7 µM) or as DHA:EPA (1:2; 10 µM) combination increased the mitochondrial activity or cell membrane integrity post-LPS (24 h), DSS (24 h) and H2O2 (1 h) challenge (p < 0.05). Additionally, DHA:EPA (1:2, 10 µM) combination decreased the apoptotic caspase-3/7 activity around twofold after 24 h LPS and DSS challenge (p < 0.05). Our study confirms the proliferative and cytoprotective properties of EPA and DHA in IPEC-J2 cells. Increased intracellular mitochondrial activity and cell membrane integrity by ω-3 PUFAs can play a role in preventing enterocyte apoptosis during acute or chronic inflammatory and oxidative stress.

In vitro digested milk proteins: evaluation of Angiotensin-1-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory and antioxidant activities, peptidomic profile and mucin gene expression in HT29-MTX cells by Giromini et al. We studied the bioactive effect of in vitro digested whey protein isolate (WPI), casein proteins (CP) and soy proteins (CTR) in term of Angiotensin-1-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory activity (ACE1-I), antioxidant (AOX) and intestinal HT29-MTX-E12 cell metabolic activity and mucus-production. Our results indicate that milk proteins possess higher AOX and ACE1-I activity after in vitro digestion. Peptidomic analysis reveal that WPI and CP generated potentially bioactive peptides mainly associated to ACE1-I bioactivity. We also reported that specific concentrations of WPI, CP and CTR are able to promote HT29-MTX-E12 cells metabolic activity and, in the case of CP, the MUC5AC and MUC2 gene expression, suggesting that the consumption of milk proteins can have a positive effect on intestinal defenses. Running head: Milk protein digestion: bioactivity and peptidomics In vitro digested milk proteins: evaluation of Angiotensin-1-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory and antioxidant activities, peptidomic profile and mucin gene expression in HT29-MTX cells

The gastrointestinal tract of livestock and poultry is prone to challenge by feedborne antigens, pathogens, and other stress factors in the farm environment. Excessive physiological inflammation and oxidative stress that arises firstly disrupts the intestinal epithelial barrier followed by other components of the gastrointestinal tract. In the present review, the interrelationship between intestinal barrier inflammation and oxidative stress that contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease was described. Further, the role of naturally existing immunomodulatory nutrients such as the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, citrus pectin, and milk-derived exosomes in preventing intestinal barrier inflammation was discussed. Based on the existing evidence, the possible molecular mechanism of these bioactive nutrients in the intestinal barrier was outlined for application in animal diets.