Effects of Tannic Acid Supplementation on the Intestinal Health, Immunity, and Antioxidant Function of Broilers Challenged with Necrotic Enteritis

Abstract

Clostridium perfringens causes necrotic enteritis (NE) after proliferation in the intestine of poultry, resulting in considerable losses to the poultry industry. This study aimed to investigate the impact of tannic acid on the antioxidant, immunity, and gut health of broilers with NE. In the experiment, 630 one-day-old Cobb500 male chicks were randomly divided into six treatment groups, with seven replicate cages and with fifteen birds in each cage. The treatment groups were as follows: control group (NC), challenged group (PC), and challenged NE chickens treated with 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/kg tannic acid (PTA1, PTA2, PTA3, and PTA4, respectively). To induce NE, coccidia vaccine and Clostridium perfringens were administered on day 19 and days 22–28, respectively. Indexes related to antioxidant, immune, and intestinal health were measured on days 28 and 35. During the infection period, we observed significant increases in fecal water content, D-LA, TNF-α, and malondialdehyde concentrations (p < 0.05). Conversely, significant decreases were noted in chyme pH and in T-AOC, IL-4, and IL-10 concentrations (p < 0.05). The addition of tannic acid exhibited a linear decrease in fecal water content and TNF-α concentration (p < 0.05). Furthermore, tannic acid supplementation resulted in a quadratic curve decrease in D-LA concentration and linear increases in T-AOC, IL-4, and IL-10 (p < 0.05). Cecal microbiological analysis revealed that Ruminococcaceae and Butyricimona were dominant in PTA3. In conclusion, the dietary addition of tannic acid may reduce the negative effects of NE by increasing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity, improving the intestinal barrier, and regulating the intestinal flora.

The Impact of Tannic Acid Consumption on Bone Mineralization

“…It has been demonstrated that flavonoids stimulate bone defect regeneration, minimize inflammation, and have a significant anticatabolic effect by reducing trabecular bone loss and increasing bone mineral density [44]. Research conducted on Cobb 500 chicks with necrotic enteritis showed that dietary supplementation of TA (250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/kg) resulted in decreased TNFα levels and increased levels of anti-inflammatory parameters (T-AOC, IL-4, and IL-10) in serum [11]. Similarly, favorable effects were observed in studies on rats with induced inflammation that were given TA at doses of 25 or 50 mg/kg [45].…”

“…Microbiological analysis of the cecum in Cobb 500 broilers with necrotic enteritis showed that TA administration improved gut barrier function and regulated gut flora. Moreover, the decreased levels of D-lactic acid and diamine oxidase in the serum indicate the potential positive effect of TA in maintaining gut barrier integrity [11].…”

“…Phenolic compounds include tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and their chemically modified or polymerized derivatives [9]. Tannins are used in medicine, cosmetics, and nutrition, mainly due to their astringent, anticancer, and antimutagenic properties, which stem from their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities [10,11]. They also exhibit antimicrobial properties [12].…”

Effect of Tannic Acid on Antioxidant Function, Immunity, and Intestinal Barrier of Broilers Co-Infected with Coccidia and Clostridium perfringens

“…Dietary TA can also alleviate tissue inflammation and protect intestinal health by lowering the mRNA levels of tissue inflammation elements and increasing the mRNA levels of intestinal intact proteins in broilers [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. It has been shown that TA can alleviate the inflammation of broilers with NE conditions and enhance the antioxidative ability by activating the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway in rats [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. However, whether TA could improve antioxidant capacity and alleviate oxidative stress through the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway in broilers with NE condition has yet to be reported.…”