A comparative transcriptomic study of vitamin E and an algae-based antioxidant as antioxidative agents: Investigation of replacing vitamin E with the algae-based antioxidant in broiler diets

Abstract

Previous study indicated that inclusion of an algae-based antioxidant as an antioxidative agent [EconomasE, Alltech, Nicholasville, KY; EcoE] significantly reduced the amount of vitamin E (VE) required in broiler diets without compromising performance and meat quality. To assess the mechanisms related to the VE-saving activity of EcoE, as well as other potential functions related to EcoE and VE supplementation, we analyzed gene expression profiles of breast muscle from broilers fed a control diet, the control diet + 50 IU of VE/kg, the control diet + 100 IU of VE/kg, or the control diet + 200 g of EcoE/ton. Evaluation of the serum antioxidant capacity indicated that dietary supplementation of either a high level of VE (50 or 100 IU of VE/kg) or EcoE significantly improved bird antioxidant status. Analysis of gene expression profiles indicated that expression of 542 genes of the breast muscle were altered (P < 0.05, fold change >1.2) by dietary treatments, of which a significant part were commonly regulated by EcoE and VE (especially the control diet + 50 IU of VE/kg). In addition to the process of cellular oxidation, gene ontology analysis indicated the involvement of EcoE and VE on cell morphology, skeletal and muscular system development and function, immune response, and multiple metabolic processes, including lipid, carbohydrate, and drug metabolism. Results of this experiment indicate that the biological roles of high VE, including its activity as an antioxidant, can be greatly mimicked at the transcriptional level by EcoE, and they suggest a relationship of functional redundancy between VE and EcoE in the broiler diets.

Applications of Nutrigenomics in Animal Sectors: A Review

“…Similarly, Kaiser et al (2012) stated that vitamin E containing diet can enhance the immune protection against bacterial lipopolysaccharide associated infection in chicken. Nutrigenomics data analysis also showed that algae based diet can reduce the stress profile in chicken through nutrigenomics data analysis (Xiao et al, 2011). Like vitamin E, different types of minerals such as zinc can actively regulates the transporter gene in intestine of broiler chicken and the expression pattern is directly related to the amount of zinc in feed.…”

Nutrigenomics in Farm Animals

“…Also in animal production, VE is extensively applied to improve growth, reproductive performance, feed efficiency and preferred meat product quality. A transcriptome study in broilers [21] compared the genome wide gene expression profiles of breast muscle from chicks fed vitamin E and an algae-based antioxidant diets. This study found differential expression in transcriptional profiling between the two diets and identified gene networks that likely play key roles related to nutriphysiological functions of vitamin E. In a more recent study [20], different dietary supplementations with Vitamin E (VE) and different inclusion levels of grape pomace (GP) vs an un supplemented control group were compared to study their effects on the expression of candidate genes involved in oxidation and lipid metabolism in broiler muscle.…”

The Role of Functional Feed Additives in Modulating Intestinal Health and Integrity

“…Early steps in this direction have been presented by Xiao et al (2010). This study looked at the molecular mechanisms comparison of two fractions from the yeast cell wall.…”