The role of cinnamon as a modulator of the expression of genes related to antioxidant activity and lipid metabolism of laying quails

Since cinnamon has vitamins and minerals in addition to antioxidants compounds in its chemical composition studies have shown the potential of cinnamon supplementation on some important characteristics in the performance of birds. Thus, this study was conducted under the hypothesis that the inclusion of cinnamon in the laying quail diet could influence the performance of the birds through the expression of genes related to antioxidant activity and lipid metabolism. To test this hypothesis, 144 Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) with an initial age of 18 weeks and average weight of 133g were distributed in a completely randomized design with two treatments: no cinnamon supplementation (NCS—control group) and with supplementation of 9g/kg of cinnamon powder (CPS). The experiment lasted for 84 days. At the end of the experimental period, six animals from each treatment were euthanized by cervical dislocation, blood was collected and organs weighed. Liver tissue was collected for gene expression and biochemical analyses. We observed a significant effect of cinnamon inclusion on the weight of the pancreas (P = 0.0418), intestine (P = 0.0209) and ovary (P = 0.0389). Lower weights of the pancreas and intestine, and a higher ovary weight was observed in birds receiving the CPS diet. Quails fed with cinnamon supplementation also had better feed conversion per egg mass (2.426 g /g, P = 0.0126), and higher triglyceride (1516.60 mg/dL, P = 0.0207), uric acid (7.40 mg/dL, P = 0.0003) and VLDL (300.40 mg/dL, P = 0.0252) contents. A decreased content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lower catalase activity was observed in the liver of quails from the CPS diet (0.086 nmoles/mg PTN, and 2.304 H2O2/min/mg PTN, respectively). Quails from the CPS group presented significantly greater expression of FAS (fatty acid synthase, 36,03 AU), ACC (Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase, 31.33 AU), APOAI (apolipoprotein A-I, 803,9 AU), ESR2 (estrogen receptor 2, 0.73 AU) SOD (superoxide dismutase, 4,933.9 AU) and GPx7 (glutathione peroxidase 7, 9.756 AU) than quails from the control group. These results allow us to suggest that cinnamon powder supplementation in the diet of laying quails can promote balance in the metabolism and better performance through the modulation of antioxidant activity and the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism

The use of cinnamon powder in the diet of Japanese laying quail

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of powder cinnamon in the diet of Japanese quails, regarding their performance and egg quality. A total of 360 quails, 18 weeks old, were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates of 12 animals. The experimental period lasted 84 days. The treatments were the inclusion of 0; 3.0; 6.0; 9.0 and 12.0 g kg-1 of cinnamon powder in the diet. The performance and quality of eggs produced were evaluated. A sensorial analysis of the eggs was carried out to evaluate the color of the egg yolk, the taste of the egg and the purchase intention. There was no significant effect on the performance and egg quality variables, except for the specific gravity and color of the yolk, which increased linearly. The evaluators presented a higher intention to purchase eggs from the treatment with 6g kg-1 of cinnamon addition in the diet. We concluded that the inclusion of 12.0 g kg-1 of cinnamon powder in the diet for laying quail does not affect the performance and the taste of the eggs, nevertheless, this level of inclusion provides an improvement in the specific gravity and color of the yolk

Expression of mRNA <i>ACC</i>, <i>FAS</i>, <i>APOA</i> and <i>APOB</i> (AU) in the laying quail’s liver receiving diets with (CPS) and without cinnamon powder (NCS).

<p>The results are average with their standard errors represented by the vertical bar. * Significant by the Student’s t test (P <0.05).</p

Blood parameters related to the lipid metabolism of laying quails receiving diet with and without inclusion of cinnamon powder.

<p>Blood parameters related to the lipid metabolism of laying quails receiving diet with and without inclusion of cinnamon powder.</p

Level of TBARS (nmoles/mg of protein) and CAT enzyme activity (H2O2/minute/mg of protein) in the liver of laying quails receiving diets with (CPS) and without cinnamon powder (NCS).

<p>The results are average with their standard errors represented by the vertical bar. * Significant by the Student’s t test (P <0.05).</p

Characteristics related to the production of eggs of laying quail receiving diet no cinnamon supplementation (NCS) and with cinnamon powder supplementation (CPS).

<p>Characteristics related to the production of eggs of laying quail receiving diet no cinnamon supplementation (NCS) and with cinnamon powder supplementation (CPS).</p

Expression of <i>SOD</i> mRNA and <i>GPx 7</i> (AU) in the liver of laying quails receiving diets with (CPS) and without cinnamon powder (NCS).

<p>The results are average with their standard errors represented by the vertical bar. * Significant by the Student’s t test (P <0.05).</p

Percent composition and nutritional values of basal diet.

<p>Percent composition and nutritional values of basal diet.</p