Feeding of deoxynivalenol increases the intestinal paracellular permeability of broiler chickens

Abstract

In recent years, the deleterious effects attributed to mycotoxins, in particular on the intestine, faced increased attention and it was shown that deoxynivalenol (DON) causes adverse effects on gut health. In this context, it has been repeatedly reported that DON can alter the intestinal morphology, disrupt the intestinal barrier and reduce nutrient absorption. The underlying mechanism of a compromised intestinal barrier caused by DON in chickens has yet to be illustrated. Although, DON is rapidly absorbed from the upper parts of the small intestine, the effects on the large intestine cannot be excluded. Additionally, a damaging effect of DON on the gut epithelium might decrease the resistance of the gut against infectious agents. Consequently, the objectives of the present studies were: (1) to investigate the impact of DON on the epithelial paracellular permeability by demonstrating the mucosal to serosal flux of 14 C-mannitol in the small and large intestine applying Ussing chambers and (2) to delineate the effects of DON on the colonization and translocation of Escherichia coli. Both parameters are well suited as potential indicators for gut barrier failure. For this, a total of 75 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were housed in floor pens on wood shavings with feed and water provided ad libitum. Birds were randomly allocated to three different groups (n = 25 with 5 replicates/group) and were fed for 5 weeks with either contaminated diets (5 or 10 mg DON/kg feed) or basal diets (control). Body weight (BW) and BW gain of birds in the group fed with 10 mg/kg DON were significantly lower than in group with 5 mg/kg DON and the control group. Moreover, the mannitol flux in jejunum and cecum was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in DON-fed groups compared to control birds. Consistent with this, DON enhanced the translocation of E. coli with a higher number of bacteria encountered in the spleen and liver. Altogether, the actual results verified that DON can alter the intestinal paracellular permeability in broiler chickens and facilitates the translocation of enteric microorganisms such as E. coli to extra-intestinal organs. Considering that moderate levels of DON are present in feed, the consumption of DON-contaminated feed can induce an intestinal breakdown with negative consequences on broiler health.

Low Doses of Mycotoxin Mixtures below EU Regulatory Limits Can Negatively Affect the Performance of Broiler Chickens: A Longitudinal Study

“…Notwithstanding, the results reported to date are consistent with the results obtained in the current study. Broiler chicken exposed to 1-5 mg/kg DON experienced significant reduction in body weight and feed intake from Days 17 to 34 [39][40][41][42]. Similarly, Keçi et al [43] reported a decreased body weight gain (up to 6%) in broilers fed DON-contaminated diet.…”

“…Consequently, intestinal toxicity of mycotoxins has attracted a lot of scientific interest [ 45 ]. Several researchers have reported an increased paracellular intestinal permeability and translocation of enteric microorganism ( Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringen ) to the liver and spleen as well as alteration of corticosterone level, intestinal mucus layer and intestinal epithelial antioxidative mechanisms, when birds were exposed to DON and FBs at levels below EU guidance values [ 38 , 42 , 46 , 47 ]. Although broilers intestines were not investigated in this study, we suggest that the reduced feed efficiencies in Trials 1, 2, 8, 9, 14 and 15 may be due to deleterious effects of identified mycotoxins on intestinal mucosa structures and functions.…”

The Mycotoxin Deoxynivalenol (DON) Promotes Campylobacter jejuni Multiplication in the Intestine of Broiler Chickens With Consequences on Bacterial Translocation and Gut Integrity

“…Both, mycotoxin contamination of feed and C. jejuni prevalence in broilers have an increasing global health and economic impact on poultry production. The Fusarium mycotoxin DON is a ubiquitous mycotoxin with negative effects on the growth performance of broiler chickens (26,27). As an inhibitor of protein synthesis DON mainly affects cells with a high-protein turnover, such as intestinal epithelial and immune cells (28).…”

“…Thereafter, during the course of the experiment, 0.6-mL samples were taken from the serosal compartment (cold side) at defined time intervals (every 30-min). Manipulation of Ussing chambers and experimental procedures were performed as described by Awad et al (26). Finally, after addition of a liquid scintillation fluid to all samples up to 5 mL, the presence of radioisotope in the samples was measured by a liquid scintillation counter (Aquasafe 300 Plus, Zinsser Analytic, Maidenhead, UK).…”

Nontoxic-dose deoxynivalenol aggravates lipopolysaccharides-induced inflammation and tight junction disorder in IPEC-J2 cells through activation of NF-κB and LC3B

“…Chen et al suggested that nontoxic OTA (4 μM) could promote DON-induced (4 μM) intestinal barrier dysfunction in IPEC-J2 cells ( Ying et al, 2019 ). Wageha et al have found that DON (5 and 10 mg/kg feed) could facilitate the translocation of enteric microorganisms such as E. coli to extra-intestinal organs in broiler chickens ( Awad et al, 2019 ). However, the interaction and its mechanism between germ and DON are still unclear.…”