Resveratrol alleviates heat stress-induced impairment of intestinal morphology, barrier integrity and inflammation in yellow-feather broilers

Abstract

Context Heat stress is one of the problems commonly found in broiler industry in tropic and subtropic regions that results in impairment of intestinal integrity, leading to inflammation and poor performance. Aims This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary resveratrol supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology and barrier integrity, and inflammation response of yellow-feather broilers under heat stress. Methods In total, 288 birds (28-day-old) were randomly allotted to three treatment groups, with six replicates. A thermo-neutral group (24 ± 2°C) received a basal diet and two heat-stressed groups (37 ± 2°C for 8 h/day and 24 ± 2°C for the remaining time) were fed the basal diet (HT) or basal diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg resveratrol for 14 consecutive days. Key results Compared with the thermo-neutral group, birds in the HT group had a decreased (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake, average daily gain, villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio, mRNA concentrations of mucin-2, secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA), claudin-1,zona occludens-1 and serum concentrations of interferon γ, and increased (P < 0.05) feed to gain ratio, crypt depth, mRNA levels of expression of heat-shock protein (HSP) 70, HSP90, nuclear factor kappa B, mucin-4, claudin-2 and serum concentrations of endotoxin, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α on Day 3 and Day 14, except for claudin-1 on Day 14 and TNF-α on Day 3 (P > 0.05). Compared with HT group, birds in HT supplemented with resveratrol group decreased (P < 0.05) crypt depth (in jejunum on Day 3, ileum on Day 14), mRNA levels of expression of HSP70, HSP90, nuclear factor kappa B, mucin-4, claudin-2 and serum concentrations of endotoxin, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6 and TNF-α, and increased (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake (+11%), average daily gain (+22%) and villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio, mRNA levels of expression of mucin-2, sIgA, claudin-1,zona occludens-1 and serum concentrations of interferon γ, although with few fluctuations between Day 3 and Day 14. Conclusions Dietary supplementation of resveratrol was effective in partially alleviating the adverse effects of heat stress on growth performance and intestinal barrier function in yellow-feather broilers, by restoring the impaired villus-crypt structure, altering the mRNA expression of intestinal HSPs, mucins, sIgA and tight junction-related gene, and inhibiting secretion of pro-inflammation cytokines. Implications Dietary resveratrol supplementation is a considerable nutritional strategy to anti-stress in animal production.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Algae-Derived Polysaccharides on Morphology, Tight Junctions, Antioxidant Capacity and Immune Response of Duodenum in Broilers under Heat Stress

“…In this study, based on the analysis of selected physical gut barrier function-related molecular expression, four-week HS exposure decreased the tight junction protein expression of the duodenum, including occludin and ZO-1, and their absence could be responsible for an increase in intestinal permeability. Similar findings were also obtained by Liu et al [ 9 ] and He et al [ 35 ]. Meanwhile, the present study evaluated the mitigation effects of dietary ADP supplementation on duodenal barrier function-related molecular expression of broilers under HS.…”

“…Consistently, Liu et al [ 6 ] found that 5 weeks of HS decreased the duodenal villus height of yellow-feathered broilers. He et al [ 35 ] suggested that 14 d of HS exposure induced a reduction in jejunal villus height of yellow-feathered broilers. Zhang et al [ 14 ] reported that the Cobb broilers subjected to 21 d of HS resulted in a lower villus height and ratio of villus height to crypt depth.…”

“…Consistently, Liu et al [6] found that 5 weeks of HS decreased the duodenal villus height of yellow-feathered broilers. He et al [35] suggested that 14 d of HS exposure induced a reduction in jejunal villus height of yellow-feathered broilers. Zhang Influence of algae-derived polysaccharide (ADP) supplementation on duodenal relative mRNA expression of immune signaling-pathway-related genes in heat-stressed broilers.…”

Anti-Inflammatory Action and Mechanisms of Resveratrol

“…Heat stress may induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cause antioxidant system disorders, and cause damage to the immune organs in vivo [32]. In a recent report, our research group observed that dietary resveratrol supplementation in broilers was successful in partially alleviating the detrimental effects of heat stress on the function of the intestinal barrier, by restoring the damaged villus-crypt structure, altering the mRNA expression of intestinal heat-shock proteins, secreted immunoglobulin A, and close junctionrelated genes and inhibiting pro-inflammation secretion [33]. Zhang et al [34] reported that dietary supplementation with resveratrol in broilers could partly reverse the adverse effects of heat stress on the growth of immune organ by reestablishing redox status and inhibiting apoptosis.…”

Protective Effects and Potential Mechanisms of Dietary Resveratrol Supplementation on the Spleen of Broilers Under Heat Stress

“…Our previous study has reported that RSV supplementation in heat stress-induced black-boned chickens improved growth performance and reduced oxidative stress by modulating the expression of heat shock genes in immune organs ( 12 ). RSV also alleviated heat-stressed impairment of the intestine by improving the barrier function ( 13 ).…”