Lycopene affects the immune responses of finishing pigs

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate dietary lycopene levels on the immune responses of finishing pigs. Forty barrows and 40 gilts, averaging 75.04 ± 1.6 kg of initial weight, were allotted in a randomised blocks design arranged in a 2 Â 5 factorial scheme, consisting of two sexes (males and females) and five lycopene levels (0, 12.5, 25.0, 37.5, 50.0 mg/kg of diet). The studied parameters were submitted to the statistical analysis adopting 5% significance. Increasing lycopene in pig diets increased the plasma albumin (p ¼ .023). There was no interaction (p > .05) between sex and lycopene on the leukocyte profile or haematocrit concentration. As lycopene levels increased in the diet, the lymphocyte concentration increased linearly (p ¼ .045). The neutrophil concentration and the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio were affected (p < .05) by dietary lycopene levels, showing a lower neutrophils concentration at 17.49 mg lycopene/kg of diet, and the lowest neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio was observed at 16.46 mg/kg. Eosinophils were also affected (p ¼ .050) by lycopene supplementation, estimating the greater response by adding 22.69 mg lycopene/kg of diet. There was an interaction (p ¼ .011) between the blood collection period and lycopene levels for anti-BSA IgG, resulting in higher production of anti-BSA IgG with the supplementation of up to 20.06 mg of lycopene/kg of diet. Dietary lycopene supplementation for finishing pigs affected the cellular and humoral immune response, and the highest anti-BSA IgG production was achieved by supplementing 20.06 mg lycopene/kg of diet. ARTICLE HISTORY

Effect of lycopene and vitamin E on hematological parameters, performance, bacterial count and histopathological alterations in E. coli infected broilers.

“…Regarding to Leukogram in our study LYC treated group (group 2) revealed significant leukocytosis and lymphocytosis 4 days PI. Similar results were obtained by Fachinello et al (2018), who observed the immuneactivating effect of LYC on finishing pigs. In contrast to our results Pozzo et al (2013) found that male Hubbard broiler chicks received the basal diet supplemented with 500 mg LYC/kg for 35 days didn't showed any significant changes in leukogram.…”

“…Increase TLC and lymphocytic count may be attributed to that LYC stimulates lymphocytes by increasing the production of interleukin-2 and interferon gamma, a potent activator of T lymphocytes (Yuksek et al, 2013). Also, LYC stimulate leukocytic proliferation and synthesis (Fachinello et al, 2018). VE treated E. coli infected group (group 6) when compared to infected non-treated group showed a significant decrease in heterophils and monocytic count 4 days and 2 weeks PI respectively (restoration of their values toward control limits).…”

New Insights into Molecular Mechanism behind Anti-Cancer Activities of Lycopene

“…This suggests that the effect of lycopene in immune system modulation is not as simple as absorption and execution and it could be a result from a complicated network consisted of simultaneous activation of various immunomodulatory pathways [99]. In barrow and gilt finishing pigs, 0, 12.5, 25, 37.5, 50 mg/kg of lycopene administration followed by immunization using 1 mg BSA caused increased lymphocyte concentration and anti-BSA IgG, reduced neutrophil concentration and eosinophil while causing no change in basophil and monocyte [100]. Changes in lymphocyte concentration could be an indicator of activation of cell-mediated or humoral immune response and thus, lycopene was proposed to be able to influence immune response and the production of antigen-specific antibodies.…”

Lycopene Improves the Metformin Effects on Blood Glucose and Neutrophil Counts in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

“…Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) experience disorders of blood glucose metabolism that affect immunity. It has been found that diabetes mellitus (DM) patients experience disturbances in the number and function of neutrophils (1)(2)(3)(4).…”