Influence of polyphenols from olive mill wastewater on the gastrointestinal tract, alveolar macrophages and blood leukocytes of pigs

In the last years, great importance has been given to the beneficial effects of polyphenols. Among the most relevant health promoting effects, there is the capacity to reduce the amount of free radicals and stimulate the immune response. In this study, polyphenols extracted from olive mill wastewater (OMWW), were fed to adult 'Casertana' pigs during the finishing period. No significant differences in the length of the jejunum-ileum villi and the depth of the colon crypts were detected between control and polyphenols fed pigs. Instead, intra-epithelial and lamina propria leukocytes were more abundant in pigs fed polyphenols (p < .05). Cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity in the gastrointestinal tract, employed as marker of inflammation, was more intense in the control group. Superoxide anion production in primary cell cultures of both blood leukocytes and alveolar macrophages was lower in pigs fed polyphenols (p < .05). Taken together these data indicate that, according to our in vitro studies, OMWW polyphenols seem to be potent antioxidants, while the interpretation of the in vivo experiments is more problematic and further studies are necessary on the interactions between bioactive feed compounds and intestinal status. Such studies can contribute to a better understanding of both positive and negative interactions in vivo and to the identification of new functional feeds.HIGHLIGHTS The effects of polyphenols extracted from olive mill wastewater (OMWW) have been studied in pigs. Gut morphology, inflammation and immune response were investigated. OMWW polyphenols act as potent antioxidants

Chestnut shell tannins: effects on intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis in zebrafish

The aim of the present study was to test the possible ameliorative efficacy of phytochemicals such as tannins on intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis. The effect of a chestnut shell (Castanea sativa) extract (CSE) rich in polyphenols, mainly represented by tannins, on k-carrageenan-induced intestinal inflammation in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) was tested in a feeding trial. Intestinal inflammation was induced by 0.1% k-carrageenan added to the diet for 10 days. CSE was administered for10 days after k-carrageenan induced inflammation. The intestinal morphology and histopathology, cytokine expression, and microbiota were analyzed. The k-carrageenan treatment led to gut lumen expansion, reduction of intestinal folds, and increase of the goblet cells number, accompanied by the upregulation of pro-inflammatory factors (TNFα, COX2) and alteration in the number and ratio of taxonomic groups of bacteria. CSE counteracted the inflammatory status enhancing the growth of health helpful bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas), decreasing the pro-inflammatory factors, and activating the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In conclusion, CSE acted as a prebiotic on zebrafish gut microbiota, sustaining the use of tannins as food additives to ameliorate the intestinal inflammation. Our results may be relevant for both aquaculture and medical clinic field

<i>Lamiaceae</i> as Feed Additives in Fish Aquaculture

The growing demand for high-quality food has induced a rapid expansion of the aquaculture sector. On the other hand, this sector has to overcome numerous challenges and problems triggered by the adoption of intensive farming systems, such as stress and high susceptibility to diseases. The improper use of chemicals and antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic resistance in fish, with consequent health risks for consumers. Natural additives are increasingly used in aquaculture and, among these, medicinal plants are constantly under investigation as safe and environmentally friendly alternatives to chemicals. Great attention has been paid to Lamiaceae plants as feed additives capable of enhancing the growth performance, immune system, and antioxidant status of farmed fish. The aim of this review is to provide an updated picture of the employment of the Lamiaceae species (oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, and mint) to enhance farmed fish health. The benefits of oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, and mint feed supplementation on growth performance, immune system, antioxidant status, hemato-biochemical parameters, and resistance to stress, parasites, and bacteria have been described, highlighting weaknesses and drawbacks and proposing possible implementations

Lamiaceae as Feed Additives in Fish Aquaculture

The growing demand for high-quality food has induced a rapid expansion of the aquaculture sector. On the other hand, this sector has to overcome numerous challenges and problems triggered by the adoption of intensive farming systems, such as stress and high susceptibility to diseases. The improper use of chemicals and antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic resistance in fish, with consequent health risks for consumers. Natural additives are increasingly used in aquaculture and, among these, medicinal plants are constantly under investigation as safe and environmentally friendly alternatives to chemicals. Great attention has been paid to Lamiaceae plants as feed additives capable of enhancing the growth performance, immune system, and antioxidant status of farmed fish. The aim of this review is to provide an updated picture of the employment of the Lamiaceae species (oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, and mint) to enhance farmed fish health. The benefits of oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, and mint feed supplementation on growth performance, immune system, antioxidant status, hemato-biochemical parameters, and resistance to stress, parasites, and bacteria have been described, highlighting weaknesses and drawbacks and proposing possible implementations

EFFECTS OF BIOACTIVE MOLECULES ON ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES AND GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT OF SUS SCROFA

In the last years, great importance has been given to the beneficial effects of polyphenols [1]. Agricultural by-products are a rich source of polyphenols and have a potential suitable for development into dietary supplements and various food additives [2]. The objective of the present research was to investigate gut morphology, inflammation and immune response of adult pigs (Casertana strain) fed with polyphenols extracted from olive mill wastewater added to the standard diet, by in vivo and in vitro analysis. The ‘Casertana’ pig is an ancient autochthon genetic type and represents an experimental model suitable for semi-wild controlled breeding technique. During the finishing period, pigs were randomly assigned in two groups: control group fed with a standard diet and treated group fed with standard diet supplemented with polyphenols extracted from olive mill wastewater (OMWW) using capsules (0.03 g/kg of feed per pig per day) [3]. The trial lasted for 120days. After slaughter, alveolar macrophages were extracted from pig lungs [4] and the superoxide anion assay was performed to test the anti-oxidant effects of polyphenols extracted from OMWW. Gastrointestinal tracts (stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon) were collected from all animals, embedded in paraffin wax, serially cut in transversal sections and stained with hematoxylin– eosin for histomorphometric analysis. No significant differences in the length of the jejunum-ileum villi and the depth of the colon crypts were detected between control and polyphenols fed pigs. COX-2 immunoreactivity in the gastrointestinal tract was more intense in the control group. The low level of expression of COX-2 in immunoreactive cells in the intestine of treated pigs could suggests a protective role of polyphenols, modulating and reducing the inflammatory response [5]. Superoxide anion production in alveolar macrophages was lower in pigs fed polyphenols (p<0.05). In vitro studies suggested that OMWW polyphenols are potent antioxidants, while the interpretation of the in vivo experiments is more problematic and further studies are necessary on the interactions between bioactive feed compounds and intestinal status. [1] Zhang H, Tsao R. Dietary polyphenols, oxidative stress and antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects, Current Opinion in Food Science, 8:33-42, 2016. [2] Di Nunzio et al. Olive oil industry by-products. Effects of a polyphenol rich extract on the metabolome and response to inflammation in cultured intestinal cell, Food Research International, Volume 113, Pages 392-400, 2018. [3] Corino et al. Growth performance and oxidative status in piglets supplemented with verbascoside and teupolioside, Italian Journal of Animal Science, 6:292– 294, 2007. [4] Brockmeier et al. Coinfection of pigs with porcine respiratory coronavirus and Bordetella bronchiseptica, Veterinary Microbiology, 128:36–47, 2008. [5] Willenberg et al. Food polyphenols fail to cause a biologically relevant reduction of COX-2 activity, PLoS One, 10(10): e0139147, 2015

Dietary Supplementation with a Blend of Hydrolyzable and Condensed Tannins Ameliorates Diet-Induced Intestinal Inflammation in Zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>)

The current study evaluated the effects of hydrolyzable and condensed tannins from chestnut and quebracho wood, respectively (TSP, Silvafeed®), on zebrafish with intestinal inflammation induced by a plant-based diet (basal diet). Four experimental diets were prepared as follows: the basal diet + 0 TSP, the basal diet + TSP at 0.9 g/kg of feed, the basal diet + TSP at 1.7 g/kg of feed, and the basal diet + TSP at 3.4 g/kg of feed. Eighty-four zebrafish (Danio rerio) were fed for 12 days with the experimental diets. In zebrafish fed the basal diet, intestine integrity appeared to be altered, with damaged intestinal villi, high immunoexpression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), and high expression of the cox2, interleukin 1 (il-1b), interleukin 8 (cxcl8-l1), and tnfα genes. The tannin treatment partially restored intestinal morphology and downregulated the expression of cytokines. The best activity was detected with 1.7 and 3.4 g/kg of feed. In the guts of all groups, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were the most represented phyla. The most represented genera were Plesiomonas and Sphingomonas, belonging to the Proteobacteria phylum; Cetobacterium, belonging to the Fusobacteria phylum; and Lactobacillus, belonging to the Firmicutes phylum. No significant differences were detected among groups, except for a slight decrease in the Fusobacteria phylum and slight increases in the Shewanella and Bacteroides genera with TSP. In conclusion, these results suggest that tannins can improve the zebrafish intestinal inflammation caused by a terrestrial-plant-based diet in a dose-dependent manner