Selenium-enriched yeast reduces caecal pathological injuries and intervenes changes of the diversity of caecal microbiota caused by Ochratoxin-A in broilers

Ginsenoside Rg1 alleviates ochratoxin A-induced liver inflammation in ducklings: Involvement of intestinal microbiota modulation and the TLR4/NF-κB pathway inhibition

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic fungal secondary metabolite that triggers liver inflammation in animals. OTA could disrupt intestinal microbiota balance by promoting Gram-negative bacteria growth and activating the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, thereby inducing liver inflammation. Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) is an active component of ginseng, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidative properties, particularly against gram-negative bacteria. Rg1 has been shown to maintain intestinal microbiota homeostasis and inhibit the TLR4 signaling pathway to alleviate liver inflammation. Given these established mechanisms, the aim of this study was to explore the preventive effect of Rg1 in countering OTA-induced liver inflammation through modulation of intestinal microbiota and the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. The results revealed that Rg1 reduced OTA residues in the cecum and enhanced intestinal barrier function. Moreover, Rg1 ameliorated the intestinal microbiota composition in OTA-treated ducklings by decreasing the relative abundance of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-related bacteria. Rg1 also increases the abundance of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria. Additionally, Rg1 supplementation with OTA decreased the accumulation of LPS in tissues and inhibited the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Intriguingly, Rg1 maintained its beneficial effects in OTA-treated ducklings even after antibiotic treatment by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. These findings emphasized the importance of intestinal microbiota homeostasis and TLR4/NF-κB pathway suppression in the anti-inflammatory action of Rg1 during OTA-induced liver inflammation.

Effects of Low and High Doses of Deoxynivalenol on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Histology, Metabolites, and Microbial Community in Adult Rats

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a widespread mycotoxin which contaminates several crops, including maize, wheat, and barley. In this study, we investigated the effects of orally administered DON on growth performance, blood biochemistry, histology, the gut microbiome, and metabolism in rats. Six-week-old rats, acclimatized for one week, were subjected to different dietary treatments for 42 days, as follows: CON (control): 0.9% saline; T1: 0.5 ppm DON; T2: 50 ppm DON; and T3: 100 ppm DON. The T3 group had the lowest final body weight (298.5 ± 3.69 g) and average daily gain compared with the control group (338.9 ± 6.43 g, p < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio was highest in the T3 group (4.28 ± 0.28) compared with that in the control group (3.12 ± 0.13, p < 0.05). DON treatment significantly reduced serum levels of creatinine, amylase, urea nitrogen, and alkaline phosphatase, but not alanine aminotransferase. Fibrosis and apoptosis were exacerbated in various tissues with increasing DON concentration. The metabolite profiles of several tissues were significantly different in the DON-treated and control groups. In the cecum, DON treatment increased the abundance of Desulfobacteria, while decreasing that of Firmicutes. Our results indicate that DON levels above the maximum residue limit have serious health consequences for animals.

Advances of Selenium in Poultry Nutrition and Health

Selenium is widely acknowledged as an indispensable trace element for humans and various animals, including poultry. The addition of selenium in appropriate doses plays a crucial role in promoting poultry growth and reproduction. Conversely, both deficiency and excessive intake of selenium can pose significant threats to poultry health and production performance. In modern poultry farming, there is an increasing demand for precise nutrient intake, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted role of selenium. This review aimed to compare and contrast the properties and recommended addition amounts of different sources of selenium in poultry feed; to discuss the hazards and mechanisms associated with selenium deficiency or excess in poultry; to summarize the pivotal role that selenium plays in stress states among poultry. Overall, this review seeked to provide a comprehensive overview highlighting the significance of selenium in terms of nutrition and health for poultry while ensuring optimal utilization within poultry production.

Effects of Se-enriched yeast on the amelioration of atrazine-induced meat quality degradation

Atrazine (ATR) is herbicide that causes serious harm to the environment and threatens human food safety. Se-enriched yeast is the best organic selenium source for protecting cells from damage caused by poisonous substances. To explore mechanism of ATR on meat quality degradation and potential protective effects of Se-enriched yeast on ATR-induced muscle injury, quails were treated with ATR and/or Se-enriched yeast for 28 days. The results found ATR disrupted muscle fiber structure and decreased pH, tenderness, water-holding capacity, essential amino acid content and polyunsaturated fatty acid content. ATR aggravated oxidative stress and inflammation by inhibiting Nrf2 pathway and activating NF-κB pathway, ultimately causing apoptosis. However, Se-enriched yeast alleviated ATR-induced alterations in muscle chemical and physical properties by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. Taken together, these results revealed that ATR exposure caused meat quality degradation and Se-enriched yeast had the potential to counteract ATR-induced myotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation.

Effects of embryo injected with ochratoxin A on growth performance, jejunal morphology and barrier of ducklings

1. This trial investigated the effect on embryo injected with ochratoxin A (OTA) and the growth performance, jejunal morphology and barrier of ducklings to 21 d old.2. Two hundred forty, fertilised eggs were individually weighed and randomly assigned to two groups, a control (CON) and the OTA treatment, according to average egg weight. On d 13 of embryonic development, the treatment group was injected with 8 ng OTA/g egg and the CON group was injected with NaHCO3 solution as a placebo. All newly hatched ducklings were assigned to the CON or OTA group based on the different treatments. Each treatment consisted of six replicates and each included 10 ducklings and the experiment lasted until 21 d of age.3. The results showed that embryos injected with OTA affected the 21 d body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) of ducklings (p < 0.05). OTA exposure increased the relative weights of the liver, pancreas, gizzard, proventriculus and jejunum (p < 0.05); and decreased the relative length of the jejunum of ducklings (p < 0.05). Moreover, jejunal crypt depth increased (p < 0.05) and the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (Vh/Cd) decreased in the OTA-injected group (p < 0.05). Compared with those in the CON group, the mRNA expression of Zonula Occludens-1; (ZO-1) (p = 0.0582) and Occludin; (p = 0.0687) in the OTA treatment group was downregulated.4. The findings demonstrated that a single low-dose injection of OTA increased body weight and daily gain in ducklings. Moreover, embryo exposure to OTA had negative effects with increased relative weight of organs and the jejunal crypt depth, decreased relative length of the intestine and mRNA expression of tight junctions (ZO-1, Occludin).

Selenium nanoparticles promotes intestinal development in broilers by inhibiting intestinal inflammation and NLRP3 signaling pathway compared with other selenium sources

This study aimed to investigate how various selenium sources affect the intestinal health of broiler chickens. A total of 384, one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were weighed and randomly allocated to four treatment groups. The control diet was a basal diet added with: 0.2 mg/kg Sodium Selenite (SS-control), 0.2 mg/kg Selenium nano-particles (Nano-Se), 0.2 mg/kg Selenomethionine (SeMet), and 0.2 mg/kg Selenocysteine (Sec) as the treatments. The results indicated that Nano-Se and SeMet were effective in enhancing the villus height (VH) and the villus height/crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) in the jejunum compared to (SS) (P < 0.05). The inclusion of Nano-Se into the diets increased the mRNA levels of zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1), ZO-2, Occludin, Claudin-1, and Claudin-3 compared to the SS diet (P < 0.05). The SeMet increased the levels of ZO-1 and Claudin-3 compared to the SS (P < 0.05). Moreover, SeMet upregulated the marker genes of intestinal enteroendocrine cells, stem cells, and epithelial cells compared to the SS diet (P < 0.05). However, supplementation of Nano-Se reduced the mRNA levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and IL-8 and the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the jejunum compared to the SS (P < 0.05). The Nano-Se and SeMet also increased the protein levels of CAT and SOD compared to the SS and Sec diet (P < 0.05). The number of the goblet cells and Mucin-2 (Muc2) levels were the highest in the Nano-Se group (P < 0.05). The protein expression levels of goblet cell differentiation regulator (v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog, c-Myc) were highest in the Nano-Se compared to the SS diet (P < 0.05). The Nano-Se decreased the mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3 signaling pathway-related genes compared to the SS diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our study demonstrated that Nano-Se and SeMet are better at improving the intestinal health of 21-day-old broilers. Additionally, Nano-Se demonstrated superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, promoting the development of intestinal goblet cells by modifying the NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Embryo injected with Ochratoxin A induced jejunum injury in ducklings by activating the TLR4 signaling pathway: Involvement of intestinal microbiota

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a common mycotoxin that causes intestinal injury in humans and various animal species. OTA may lead to intestinal injury in offspring due to the maternal effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of embryo injected with OTA induced jejunum injury in ducklings. The results showed that OTA disrupted the jejunum tight junctions in hatching ducklings, and promoted the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. And this inflammatory response was caused by the activation of the TLR4 signaling pathway. Moreover, embryo injected with OTA could cause damage to the intestinal barrier in 21-day-old ducks, characterized by shortened villi, crypt hyperplasia, disrupted intestinal tight junctions, increased level of LPS in the jejunum, activation of the TLR4 signaling pathway, and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Meanwhile, OTA induced oxidative stress in the jejunum. And dysbiosis of gut microbiota was mainly characterized by an increased the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Megamonas, Fournierella, and decreased the relative abundance of Alistipes and Weissella. Interestingly, embryo injected with OTA did not induce these changes in the jejunum of antibiotics-treated 21-day-old ducks. In conclusion, embryo injected with OTA induced jejunum injury in ducklings by activating the TLR4 signaling pathway, which involvement of intestinal microbiota.

Disruption of intestinal epithelial permeability in the Co-culture system of Caco-2/HT29-MTX cells exposed individually or simultaneously to acrylamide and ochratoxin A

Mycotoxins and thermal processing hazards are common contaminants in various foods and cause severe problems in terms of food safety and health. Combined use of acrylamide (AA) and ochratoxin A (OTA) would result in more significant intestinal toxicity than either toxin alone, but the underlying mechanisms behind this poor outcome remain unclear. Herein, we established the co-culture system of Caco-2/HT29-MTX cells for simulating a real intestinal environment that is more sensitive to AA and OTA, and showed that the combination of AA and OTA could up-regulate permeability of the intestine via increasing LY permeabilization, and decreasing TEER, then induce oxidative stress imbalance (GSH, SOD, MDA, and ROS) and inflammatory system disorder (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, and IL-6), thereby leading a rapid decline in cell viability. Western blot, PAS- and AB-staining revealed that AA and OTA showed a synergistic effect on the intestine mainly through the disruption of tight junctions (TJs) and a mucus layer. Furthermore, based on correlation analysis, oxidative stress was more relevant to the mucus layer and TJs. Therefore, our findings provide a better evaluation model and a potential mechanism for further determining or preventing the combined toxicity caused by AA and OTA.

Hidden Hazards Revealed: Mycotoxins and Their Masked Forms in Poultry

The presence of mycotoxins and their masked forms in chicken feed poses a significant threat to both productivity and health. This review examines the multifaceted impacts of mycotoxins on various aspects of chicken well-being, encompassing feed efficiency, growth, immunity, antioxidants, blood biochemistry, and internal organs. Mycotoxins, toxic substances produced by fungi, can exert detrimental effects even at low levels of contamination. The hidden or masked forms of mycotoxins further complicate the situation, as they are not easily detected by conventional methods but can be converted into their toxic forms during digestion. Consequently, chickens are exposed to mycotoxin-related risks despite apparently low mycotoxin levels. The consequences of mycotoxin exposure in chickens include reduced feed efficiency, compromised growth rates, impaired immune function, altered antioxidant levels, disturbances in blood biochemical parameters, and adverse effects on internal organs. To mitigate these impacts, effective management strategies are essential, such as routine monitoring of feed ingredients and finished feeds, adherence to proper storage practices, and the implementation of feed detoxification methods and mycotoxin binders. Raising awareness of these hidden hazards is crucial for safeguarding chicken productivity and health.

Co-exposure ochratoxin A and triadimefon influenced the hepatic glucolipid metabolism and intestinal micro-environment in mice

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin, and triadimefon (TDF) is a triazole fungicide. These compounds are prevalent in the environment, and their residues have been detected in crops. However, the precise health risks associated with mycotoxins and fungicides are not fully elucidated. In this work, five-week-old mice were gavage with OTA (0.3 and 1.5 mg/kg/day), TDF (10 and 50 mg/kg/day), and OTA + TDF (0.3 + 10 and 1.5 + 50 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. Exposure to OTA, TDF, and OTA + TDF led to significant alterations in liver total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and glucose (GLU) levels, as well as in genes associated with glycolipid metabolism in mice. Reduced acylcarnitine levels in serum indicated that OTA, TDF, and co-exposure inhibited fatty acid (FA) β-oxidation. Furthermore, OTA and TDF disrupted the integrality of the gut barrier function and altered the structure of the intestinal microbiota. These findings suggested that OTA, TDF, and their co-exposure might disrupt the intestinal barrier, alter the structure of the microbiota, and subsequently inhibit FA β-oxidation, indicating the interference of OTA and TDF with glycolipid-related intestinal barrier dysfunction. Moreover, our data revealed a toxic additive effect between OTA and TDF, providing a foundation for assessing the combined toxicity risk of mycotoxins and fungicides.

Gut microbiota bridges dietary nutrients and host immunity

Dietary nutrients and the gut microbiota are increasingly recognized to cross-regulate and entrain each other, and thus affect host health and immune-mediated diseases. Here, we systematically review the current understanding linking dietary nutrients to gut microbiota-host immune interactions, emphasizing how this axis might influence host immunity in health and diseases. Of relevance, we highlight that the implications of gut microbiota-targeted dietary intervention could be harnessed in orchestrating a spectrum of immune-associated diseases.

Detoxification of Selenium Yeast on Mycotoxins and Heavy Metals: a Review

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by specific fungi. More than 400 different mycotoxins are known in the world, and the concentration of these toxins in food and feed often exceeds the acceptable limit, thus causing serious harm to animals and human body. At the same time, modern industrial agriculture will also bring a lot of environmental pollution in the development process, including the increase of heavy metal content, and often the clinical symptoms of low/medium level chronic heavy metal poisoning are not obvious, thus delaying the best treatment opportunity. However, the traditional ways of detoxification cannot completely eliminate the adverse effects of these toxins on the body, and sometimes bring some side effects, so it is essential to find a new type of safe antidote. Trace element selenium is among the essential mineral nutrient elements of human and animal bodies, which can effectively remove excessive free radicals and reactive oxygen species in the body, and has the effects of antioxidant, resisting stress, and improving body immunity. Selenium is common in nature in inorganic selenium and organic selenium. In previous studies, it was found that the use of inorganic selenium (sodium selenite) can play a certain protective role against mycotoxins and heavy metal poisoning. However, while it plays the role of antioxidant, it will also have adverse effects on the body. Therefore, it was found in the latest study that selenium yeast could not only replace the protective effect of sodium selenite on mycotoxins and heavy metal poisoning, but also improve the immunity of the body. Selenium yeast is an organic selenium source with high activity and low toxicity, which is produced by selenium relying on the cell protein structure of growing yeast. It not only has high absorption rate, but also can be stored in the body after meeting the physiological needs of the body for selenium, so as to avoid selenium deficiency again in the short term. However, few of these studies can clearly reveal the protective mechanism of yeast selenium. In this paper, the detoxification mechanism of selenium yeast on mycotoxins and heavy metal poisoning was reviewed, which provided some theoretical support for further understanding of the biological function of selenium yeast and its replacement for inorganic selenium. The conclusions suggest that selenium yeast can effectively alleviate the oxidative damage by regulating different signaling pathways, improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes, reversing the content of inflammatory factors, regulating the protein expression of apoptosis-related genes, and reducing the accumulation of mycotoxins and heavy metals in the body.

Effects of nano-selenium on cecum microbial community and metabolomics in chickens challenged with Ochratoxin A

Introduction

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a widely distributed mycotoxin. Nano-selenium (Nano-Se) is an emerging form of selenium known for its superior bioavailability, remarkable catalytic efficiency, and robust adsorbing capacity. Despite these characteristics, its impact on the microbial community and metabolomics in the cecum of chickens exposed to OTA has been infrequently investigated. This research examined the microbiota and metabolomic alterations linked to OTA in chickens, with or without Nano-Se present.

Methods

A cohort of 80 healthy chickens at the age of 1 day was randomly distributed into four groups of equal numbers, namely the Se cohort (1 mg/kg Nano-Se), the OTA cohort (50 μg/kg OTA), the OTA-Se cohort (50 μg/kg OTA + 1 mg/kg Nano-Se), and the control group. Each chicken group's caecal microbiome and metabolome were characterized using 16S rRNA sequencing and Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses.

Results and discussion

Our results showed that the on day 21, the final body weight was significantly reduced in response to OTA treatments (p < 0.05), the average daily gain in the OTA group was found to be inferior to the other groups (p < 0.01). In addition, Nano-Se supplementation could reduce the jejunum and liver pathological injuries caused by OTA exposure. The 16S rRNA sequencing suggest that Nano-Se supplementation in OTA-exposed chickens mitigated gut microbiota imbalances by promoting beneficial microbiota and suppressing detrimental bacteria. Moreover, untargeted metabolomics revealed a significant difference in caecal metabolites by Nano-Se pretreatment. Collectively, the dataset outcomes highlighted that Nano-Se augmentation regulates intestinal microbiota and associated metabolite profiles, thus influencing critical metabolic pathways, and points to a possible food-additive product.

Effect of Dietary Organic Selenium on Growth Performance, Gut Health, and Coccidiosis Response in Broiler Chickens

A total of 252 one-day-old Ross broilers were randomly allocated to one of six treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with respective Eimeria challenges (non-infection and infection) and three different selenium (Se) diets. Dietary treatments were as follows: (1) Se un-supplemented control (CON), (2) inorganic Se treatment (SS; 0.3 mg/kg as sodium selenite), and (3) organic Se treatment (SY; 0.3 mg/kg as selenized yeast). Six replicate cages were allocated per treatment. Chickens in the respective Eimeria infection groups were infected with an E. acervulina, E. tenella, and E. maxima oocyst mixture (15,000 oocysts/chicken) on day 16. Growth performance was measured on days 16, 22, and 24. On day 22, intestinal samples were collected from randomly selected chickens to evaluate gut lesion scores, antioxidant enzymes, and tight junction gene expression. Blood, breast, and liver samples were collected to analyze the Se concentrations on day 24. Dietary SY supplementation improved (p < 0.05) the growth performance of the chickens regardless of the Eimeria challenge. Moreover, independent of Eimeria infection, Se supplementation elevated (p < 0.05) the heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX-1) expression in jejunal mucosa at 6 days post-infection (dpi). Duodenal junctional adhesion molecule 2 (JAM-2) expression and jejunal occludin (OCLN) were elevated (p < 0.05) with dietary SY supplementation at 6 dpi. Among Se sources, broiler chickens fed with the SY diet showed higher (p < 0.05) Se concentrations in breast muscle and serum on 8 dpi. These results confirmed the beneficial effects of dietary Se and the efficiency of organic Se compared with inorganic Se for growth improvement and muscle Se enrichment in broiler chickens regardless of coccidiosis infection.

Selenium-enriched foods and their ingredients: As intervention for the vicious cycle between autophagy and overloaded stress responses in Alzheimer's disease

Dysfunctional autophagy induced by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) load and inflammation accelerates the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, there has been an increasing interest in selenium-enriched ingredients (SEIs), such as selenoproteins, selenoamino acids and selenosugars, which could improve AD through antioxidant and anti-inflammation, as well as autophagy modulating effects. This review indicates that SEIs eliminate excessive ROS by activating the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and alleviate inflammation by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway. Furthermore, they can activate the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and subsequently promote amyloid beta (Aβ) clearance and reduce memory impairments. SEIs are ubiquitous in many plants and microorganisms, such as Brassicaceae vegetables, yeast, and mushroom. Enzymatic hydrolysis, as well as physical processing, such as thermal, high pressure and microwave treatment, are the main techniques to modify the properties of dietary selenium. This work highlights the fact that SEIs can inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress and provides evidence that supports the potential use of these dietary materials to be a novel strategy for improving AD.

Crosstalk between Mycotoxins and Intestinal Microbiota and the Alleviation Approach via Microorganisms

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungus. Due to their widespread distribution, difficulty in removal, and complicated subsequent harmful by-products, mycotoxins pose a threat to the health of humans and animals worldwide. Increasing studies in recent years have highlighted the impact of mycotoxins on the gut microbiota. Numerous researchers have sought to illustrate novel toxicological mechanisms of mycotoxins by examining alterations in the gut microbiota caused by mycotoxins. However, few efficient techniques have been found to ameliorate the toxicity of mycotoxins via microbial pathways in terms of animal husbandry, human health management, and the prognosis of mycotoxin poisoning. This review seeks to examine the crosstalk between five typical mycotoxins and gut microbes, summarize the functions of mycotoxins-induced alterations in gut microbes in toxicological processes and investigate the application prospects of microbes in mycotoxins prevention and therapy from a variety of perspectives. The work is intended to provide support for future research on the interaction between mycotoxins and gut microbes, and to advance the technology for preventing and controlling mycotoxins.

Tight Junctions, the Epithelial Barrier, and Toll-like Receptor-4 During Lung Injury

Lung epithelium is constantly exposed to the environment and is critically important for the orchestration of initial responses to infectious organisms, toxins, and allergic stimuli, and maintenance of normal gaseous exchange and pulmonary function. The integrity of lung epithelium, fluid balance, and transport of molecules is dictated by the tight junctions (TJs). The TJs are formed between adjacent cells. We have focused on the topic of the TJ structure and function in lung epithelial cells. This review includes a summary of the last twenty years of literature reports published on the disrupted TJs and epithelial barrier in various lung conditions and expression and regulation of specific TJ proteins against pathogenic stimuli. We discuss the molecular signaling and crosstalk among signaling pathways that control the TJ structure and function. The Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) recognizes the pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns released during lung injury and inflammation and coordinates cellular responses. The molecular aspects of TLR4 signaling in the context of TJs or the epithelial barrier are not fully known. We describe the current knowledge and possible networking of the TLR4-signaling with cellular and molecular mechanisms of TJs, lung epithelial barrier function, and resistance to treatment strategies.

Microbiome and ileum transcriptome revealed the boosting effects of selenium yeast on egg production in aged laying hens

The declines in laying performance during the late production period have adverse effects on the length of the production cycle. Improving the nutrition of laying hens is a crucial measure to reverse this declination. This study investigated the effect of selenium yeast (SY) on egg production, ileal gene expression and microbiota, as well as elucidating their associations in aged laying hens. A total of 375 Jinghong laying hens at 76 weeks old were randomly assigned into 5 dietary treatments, which included a selenium-deficient basal diet based on corn-soybean meal, and dietary supplementation of SY at 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45 mg/kg, and sodium selenite at 0.45 mg/kg. The results showed that SY ameliorated the depression in aged laying performance in the 0.30 mg/kg group (P < 0.01). Selenium yeast significantly increased ileum selenium concentration (P < 0.05), and SY groups had higher selenium deposition efficiency than the sodium selenite group. Functional enrichment and Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM) analysis indicated that SY activated metabolic progress (e.g., glycerolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism), immune response and oxidative stress response. Four hub genes including thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1), dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), integrin linked kinase (ILK) and leucine zipper tumor suppressor 2 (LZTS2) were involved in intestinal metabolism which was closely associated with selenium deposition/status. Moreover, the relative abundance of Veillonella, Turicibacter and Lactobacillus was significantly increased, but the relative abundance of Stenotrophomonas was significantly decreased by SY supplementation. Multi-omics data integration and Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that both the ileum selenium content and the laying rate were highly correlated with pathways and bacteria enriched in metabolism and immune response. Meanwhile, the “switched on” gene prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) had a positive relationship with Veillonella and a negative relationship with the opportunistic pathogens Stenotrophomonas. Overall, our study offered insight for the further exploration of the role of SY on boosting egg production and balancing ileum intestinal flora in aged laying hens.

Influence of Foods and Nutrition on the Gut Microbiome and Implications for Intestinal Health

Food components in our diet provide not only necessary nutrients to our body but also substrates for the mutualistic microbial flora in our gastrointestinal tract, termed the gut microbiome. Undigested food components are metabolized to a diverse array of metabolites. Thus, what we eat shapes the structure, composition, and function of the gut microbiome, which interacts with the gut epithelium and mucosal immune system and maintains intestinal homeostasis in a healthy state. Alterations of the gut microbiome are implicated in many diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There is growing interest in nutritional therapy to target the gut microbiome in IBD. Investigations into dietary effects on the composition changes in the gut microbiome flourished in recent years, but few focused on gut physiology. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the impacts of major food components and their metabolites on the gut and health consequences, specifically within the GI tract. Additionally, the influence of the diet on the gut microbiome-host immune system interaction in IBD is also discussed. Understanding the influence of the diet on the interaction of the gut microbiome and the host immune system will be useful in developing nutritional strategies to maintain gut health and restore a healthy microbiome in IBD.

Selenium-enriched Cardamine violifolia improves growth performance with potential regulation of intestinal health and antioxidant function in weaned pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different Selenium (Se) sources on growth performance, intestinal function and antioxidant status of weaned piglets. A total of 300 weaned pigs were randomly allocated to 5 treatment groups with 5 replicates of 12 pigs/pen. The control group was corn-soybean basal diet without any additional Se supplement. The experimental diets were supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg of Se from sodium selenite (SS), Se-enriched yeast (SEY), Se-enriched Cardamine violifolia (SEC) and 0.3+0.3 mg/kg of Se from SEY and SEC, respectively. The trial lasted for 4 weeks. The results showed that diets supplementation with SEY, SEC or SEY+SEC could improve average daily gain and reduce feed/gain ratio during the entire study. Compared with the control group, SEC or SEY+SEC improved intestinal morphology, indicated by greater villus height and villus height/ crypt depth ratio. In addition, SEC or SEY+SEC also increased maltase and lactase activities as well as tight junction protein expression. Different Se sources decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and improved superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum. In the jejunum, SEY or SEC reduced MDA concentration and increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) compared with the control group. Moreover, SEY+SEC increased the antioxidant parameters including SOD and T-AOC in the jejunum. Dietary SEY or SEC supplementation significantly increased the mRNA expression of selenoproteins including thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1), selenoprotein I (SELENOI), selenoprotein S (SELENOS), and selenoprotein P (SELENOP) in the jejunum. In conclusion, organic Se sources, especially Cardamine violifolia, improve growth performance, potentially by regulating intestinal function, antioxidant capacity and selenoprotein expression in piglets.

Protective and detoxifying effects conferred by selenium against mycotoxins and livestock viruses: A review

Animal feed can easily be infected with molds during production and storage processes, and this can lead to the production of secondary metabolites, such as mycotoxins, which eventually threaten human and animal health. Furthermore, livestock production is also not free from viral infections. Under these conditions, the essential trace element, selenium (Se), can confer various biological benefits to humans and animals, especially due to its anticancer, antiviral, and antioxidant properties, as well as its ability to regulate immune responses. This article reviews the latest literature on the antagonistic effects of Se on mycotoxin toxicity and viral infections in animals. We outlined the systemic toxicity of mycotoxins and the primary mechanisms of mycotoxin-induced toxicity in this analysis. In addition, we pay close attention to how mycotoxins and viral infections in livestock interact. The use of Se supplementation against mycotoxin-induced toxicity and cattle viral infection was the topic of our final discussion. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which is currently causing a health catastrophe, has altered our perspective on health concerns to one that is more holistic and increasingly embraces the One Health Concept, which acknowledges the interdependence of humans, animals, and the environment. In light of this, we have made an effort to present a thorough and wide-ranging background on the protective functions of selenium in successfully reducing mycotoxin toxicity and livestock viral infection. It concluded that mycotoxins could be systemically harmful and pose a severe risk to human and animal health. On the contrary, animal mycotoxins and viral illnesses have a close connection. Last but not least, these findings show that the interaction between Se status and host response to mycotoxins and cattle virus infection is crucial.

Ochratoxin A as an alarming health threat for livestock and human: A review on molecular interactions, mechanism of toxicity, detection, detoxification, and dietary prophylaxis

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic metabolite produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi commonly found in raw plant sources and other feeds. This review comprises an extensive evaluation of the origin and proprieties of OTA, toxicokinetics, biotransformation, and toxicodynamics of ochratoxins. In in vitro and in vivo studies, the compatibility of OTA with oxidative stress is observed through the production of free radicals, resulting in genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. The OTA leads to nephrotoxicity as the chief target organ is the kidney. Other OTA excretion and absorption rates are observed, and the routes of elimination include faeces, urine, and breast milk. The alternations in the Phe moiety of OTA are the precursor for the amino acid alternation, bringing about Phe-hydroxylase and Phe-tRNA synthase, resulting in the complete dysfunction of cellular metabolism. Biodetoxification using specific microorganisms decreased the DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and cytotoxicity. This review addressed the ability of antioxidants and the dietary components as prophylactic measures to encounter toxicity and demonstrated their capability to counteract the chronic exposure through supplementation as feed additives.

Effects of Fumonisin B and Hydrolyzed Fumonisin B on Growth and Intestinal Microbiota in Broilers

Fumonisins are mainly produced by Fusarium verticillioides and proliferatum, which causes a variety of toxicities in humans and animals, including fumonisin Bs (FBs) as the main form. After they are metabolized by plants or microorganisms, modified fumonisins are difficult to detect by conventional methods, which result in an underestimation of their contamination level. Fumonisins widely contaminate maize and maize products, especially in broiler feed. As an economically important food, broilers are often adversely affected by mycotoxins, leading to food safety hazards and high economic losses. However, there are few studies regarding the adverse effects of FBs on broiler growth and health, especially modified FBs. Our data shows that after exposure to FBs or hydrolyzed fumonisin Bs (HFBs), the body weight and tissue weight of broilers decreased significantly, especially the testes. Moreover, they significantly affect the intestinal microbiota and the relative abundance of bacteria from phylum-to-species levels, with the differentially affected bacteria mainly belonging to Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Our findings suggest that both the parent and hydrolyzed FBs could induce growth retardation, tissue damage and the imbalance of intestinal microbiota in broilers. This indicated that the harmful effects of HFBs cannot be ignored during food safety risk assessment.

Effects of novel microecologics combined with traditional Chinese medicine and probiotics on growth performance and health of broilers

In this study, we prepared a kind of novel microecologics, namely Chinese medicine-probiotic compound microecological preparation (CPCMP), which is composed of 5 traditional Chinese medicine herbs (Galla Chinensis, Andrographis paniculata, Arctii Fructus, Glycyrrhizae Radix, and Schizonepeta tenuifolia) fermented by Aspergillus niger and a kind of compound probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum A37 and L. plantarum MIII). The effects of the CPCMP in broilers on growth performance, serum parameters, immune function, and intestinal health were investigated. A total of 450 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into 6 treatment groups with 5 replicates, 15 birds per replicate. Treatments consisted of: blank control, CPCMP, positive control, commercial CPCMP, traditional Chinese medicine, and probiotics groups, which were birds fed with basal diet supplemented with no extra additives, 0.2% CPCMP, 0.0035% chlortetracycline, 0.2% commercially available CPCMP, 0.2% fermented traditional Chinese medicines, and 0.2% compound probiotics, respectively. CPCMP obviously increased the average body weight and average daily gain (P < 0.05, compared with any other group) and decreased the feed:gain ratio of broilers (P < 0.05, compared with the blank control, commercial CPCMP, traditional Chinese medicine, or probiotics group). Moreover, it significantly increased glutathione peroxidase and secretory immunoglobulin A levels and spleen/bursa indices (P < 0.05 for all, compared with the blank control, commercial CPCMP, traditional Chinese medicine, or probiotics group). Villus heights in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were also elevated by CPCMP treatment (P < 0.05, compared with any other group). Furthermore, CPCMP substantially increased jejunal mRNA levels of occludin and zonula occludens-1 (P < 0.05, compared with the blank control, positive control, or probiotics group) and facilitated the growth and colonization of beneficial cecal bacteria, such as Olsenella, Barnesiella, and Lactobacillus. Overall results show that the CPCMP prepared in our work contributes to improving growth performance, serum parameters, immune function, and intestinal health of broilers and exerts synergistic effects of traditional Chinese medicines and probiotics to some extent. Our findings suggest that CPCMP is a promising antibiotic substitute in the livestock and poultry industry in the future.

Alginate oligosaccharides protect against fumonisin B1-induced intestinal damage via promoting gut microbiota homeostasis

Fumonisin B1 (FB1), one of the most common mycotoxins contaminating feed and food, has been shown to induce intestinal barrier degradation. However, its role on gut microbiota in this process is still unclear. Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) have been reported to exert their anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic function partially via modulation the gut microbiota. However, little is known about the beneficial effect of AOS on gut microbiota upon FB1 exposure. Results show that FB1 degraded intestinal epithelial barrier function as evidenced by increased pathological epithelial cell shedding, reduced the number of goblet cells, and promoted intestinal cell apoptosis. Markedly, FB1 disturbed the cecal and fecal microbiota composition. FB1 increased the level of Lactobacillus and decreased the relative abundance of beneficial microbes. FB1 largely inhibited the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). AOS greatly ameliorated FB1-induced intestinal damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress (eg., T-SOD and MDA). AOS alleviated gut microbial dysbiosis by promoting the growth of beneficial microbes such as Roseburia, Bifidobacterium, and Akkermansia, and increasing SCFAs production upon FB1 exposure. Moreover, the correlation analysis showed that FB1- and AOS-treated gut microbiota alteration is closely associated with the change of intestinal phenotype. We have thus provided a novel insight into the protective role of AOS on FB1-induced gut microbial dysbiosis.

Potential protective mechanism of Tibetan kefir underlying gut-derived liver injury induced by ochratoxin A

Tibetan kefir against Ochratoxin A-induced liver injury by maintaining the intestinal barrier and modulating the gut microbiota and metabolites.

Selenium and the health status, production results, and product quality in poultry

A Selenium (Se) is an element belonging to the nonmetallic group. It was first discovered in 1817 by J.J. Berzelius. Until the 1950s, it was considered to be toxic to animals. However, with increasing research conducted on laboratory animals, it is now clear that Se is necessary for the proper functioning of both plants and animals. Recent studies indicate that Se is necessary for the proper functioning of metabolic pathways in animals. It was evidenced that Se is a component of about 100 proteins involved in the immune system, antioxidant homeostasis, or release of an inflammatory mediator. Therefore, it is of key interest to find the appropriate dosage for the supplementation of Se in the diet of farm animals and thereby eliminate physiological disorders in the body associated with Se imbalance. In this study, we present a literature review on the importance and appropriate dosage of Se in the diet of poultry concerning their health status, production results, and the quality of animal-origin products.

Recent development in Se-enriched yeast, lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria

Endemic selenium (Se) deficiency is a major worldwide nutritional challenge. Organic Se can be synthesized through physical and chemical methods that are conducive to human absorption, but its high production cost and low output cannot meet the actual demand for Se supplementation. Some microbes are known to convert inorganic Se into organic forms of high nutritional value and Se-enriched probiotics are the main representatives. The aim of the present review is to describe the characteristics of Se-enriched yeast, lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria and discuss their Se enrichment mechanisms. Se products metabolized by Se-enriched probiotics have been classified, such as Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) and selenoprotein, and their bioactivities have been assessed. The factors affecting the Se enrichment capacity of probiotics and their application in animal feed, food additives, and functional food production have been summarized. Moreover, a brief summary and the development of Se-enriched probiotics, particularly their potential applications in the field of biomedicine have been provided. In conclusion, Se-enriched probiotics not just have a wide range of applications in the food industry but also have great potential for application in the field of biomedicine in the future.

New Determination Methods, Toxic Mechanisms, and Control Strategies (Preface to the special issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology on the Outcomes of Mycotoxins in Food)

The special issue "Mycotoxins in Food: New Determination Methods, Toxic Mechanisms, and Control Strategies" in Food and Chemical Toxicology contains 28 articles on current hot topics in mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin, and fumonisins. Intestinal toxicity, immune toxicity, and oxidative stress are especially concerned by researchers in this special issue; moreover, mycotoxin detoxification and exposure and assessments in humans are reported in this context. All the new results in this special issue will help to further understand the toxic mechanisms of mycotoxins and cast new light for the control of mycotoxin contamination.

Selenium mitigated aflatoxin B1-induced cardiotoxicity with potential regulation of 4 selenoproteins and ferroptosis signaling in chicks

The aim of the present study was to explore the underlying mechanism of selenium (Se)-mediated detoxification of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁)-induced cardiotoxicity in chicks. A Se-deficient, corn-soybean meal-basal diet (36 μg Se/kg, BD) and three test diets (BD+1.0 mg AFB₁/kg, 0.3 mg Se/kg, or 1.0 mg AFB₁/kg+0.3 mg Se/kg) were used in a 3-wk 2 × 2 factorial design trial (n = 30 chicks/group). Dietary AFB₁ led to induced (P < 0.05) serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme activities and heart histopathologic lesions. However, Se deficiency aggravated most of these alterations induced by AFB₁. Moreover, mRNA levels of two ferroptosis activators (solute carrier family 11 Member 2 and transferrin) were upregulated (P < 0.05) in the AFB₁-treated groups. Additionally, Se deficiency reduced (P < 0.05) glutathione peroxidase (GPX) 3 and thioredoxin reductase 3 mRNA and GPX activity but increased (P < 0.05) selenoprotein M and selenophosphate synthetase 2 mRNA in the heart in AFB₁-administered groups. The in vitro study showed that Se alleviated (P < 0.05) AFB₁-reduced cell viability and induced (P < 0.05) ROS and ferroptosis in H9C2 cardiac cells. It also downregulated (P < 0.05) two ferroptosis activators (long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 and solute carrier family 11 Member 2) in the AFB₁-treated groups in the H9C2 cells. In conclusion, this study illustrated that Se alleviates AFB₁-induced cardiotoxicity and cardiomyocyte damage potentially related to the regulation of redox status, 4 selenoproteins, and ferroptosis-related signaling.

Intestinal Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Selenized Ulva pertusa Polysaccharides in a Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease Model

The purpose of this study was to examine the alleviative effects of selenized polysaccharides from Ulva pertusa (ulvan-Se) on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in mice. The dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced IBD mouse model was used to explore the protective effects of ulvan-Se on the intestinal mechanical and immune barrier. At doses less than 1208 mg/kg·bw ulvan-Se showed no significant damage to Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice in an acute toxicity test. The results showed that DSS destroyed the mechanical barrier, which includes epithelial cells, while ulvan-Se promoted mRNA expression of tight junction proteins (zonula occludens protein 1, occludin, and claudin-1) and inhibited the infiltration of white blood cells into the intestines. At 100 mg/kg·bw, ulvan-Se enhanced the antioxidant capacity of mice more effectively than the 50 mg/kg·bw ulvan-Se. Furthermore, ulvan-Se improved the intestinal immune barrier by increasing immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M, while regulating the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, interferon-γ, and IL-4. Oral administration of ulvan-Se also suppressed tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression mediated by the nuclear factor kappa B pathway. Taken together, our findings reveal that ulvan-Se could be used as a potential alternative supplement for reducing intestinal inflammation in IBD.

Ochratoxin A: its impact on poultry gut health and microbiota, an overview

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a widespread mycotoxin, that has strong thermal stability, and is difficult to remove from feed. OTA is nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, teratogenic, immunotoxic, and enterotoxic to several species of animals. The gut is the first defense barrier against various types of mycotoxins present in feed that enter the body, and it is closely connected to other tissues through enterohepatic circulation. Compared with mammals, poultry is more sensitive to OTA and has a lower absorption rate. Therefore, the gut is an important target tissue for OTA in poultry. This review comprehensively discusses the role of OTA in gut health and the gut microbiota of poultry, focusing on the effect of OTA on digestive and absorptive processes, intestinal barrier integrity, intestinal histomorphology, gut immunity, and gut microbiota. According to the studies described to date, OTA can affect gut dysbiosis, including increasing gut permeability, immunity, and bacterial translocation, and can eventually lead to gut and other organ injury. Although there are many studies investigating the effects of OTA on the gut health of poultry, further studies are needed to better characterize the underlying mechanisms of action and develop preventative or therapeutic interventions for mycotoxicosis in poultry.

In Vivo Bioavailability of Selenium in Selenium-Enriched Streptococcus thermophilus and Enterococcus faecium in CD IGS Rats

The selenium (Se) enrichment of yeasts and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has recently emerged as a novel concept; the individual health effects of these beneficial microorganisms are combined by supplying the essential micronutrient Se in a more bioavailable and less toxic form. This study investigated the bioavailability of Se in the strains Enterococcus faecium CCDM 922A (EF) and Streptococcus thermophilus CCDM 144 (ST) and their respective Se-enriched forms, SeEF and SeST, in a CD (SD-Sprague Dawley) IGS rat model. Se-enriched LAB administration resulted in higher Se concentrations in the liver and kidneys of rats, where selenocystine was the prevalent Se species. The administration of both Se-enriched strains improved the antioxidant status of the animals. The effect of the diet was more pronounced in the heart tissue, where a lower glutathione reductase content was observed, irrespective of the Se fortification in LAB. Interestingly, rats fed diets with EF and SeEF had higher glutathione reductase activity. Reduced concentrations of serum malondialdehyde were noted following Se supplementation. Diets containing Se-enriched strains showed no macroscopic effects on the liver, kidneys, heart, and brain and had no apparent influence on the basic parameters of the lipid metabolism. Both the strains tested herein showed potential for further applications as promising sources of organically bound Se and Se nanoparticles.

Oral Sub-chronic Ochratoxin A Exposure Induces Gut Microbiota Alterations in Mice

Gut microbiota plays crucial roles in maintaining host health. External factors, such as diet, medicines, and environmental toxins, influence the composition of gut microbiota. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most prevalent and relevant mycotoxins and is a highly abundant food and animal feed contaminant. In the present study, we aimed to investigate OTA gut microbiome toxicity in mice sub-chronically exposed to low doses of OTA (0.21, 0.5, and 1.5 mg/kg body weight) by daily oral gavage for 28 days. Fecal microbiota from control and OTA-treated mice was analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing followed by metagenomics. OTA exposure caused marked changes in gut microbial community structure, including the decrease in the diversity of fecal microbiota and the relative abundance of Firmicutes, as well as the increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes at the phylum level. At the family level, six bacterial families (unclassified Bacteroidales, Porphyromonadaceae, unclassified Cyanobacteria, Streptococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Ruminococcaceae) were significantly altered by OTA exposure. Interestingly, OTA-induced changes were observed in the lower-dose OTA groups, while high-dose OTA group microbiota was similar to control group. Our results demonstrated that sub-chronic exposure at low doses of OTA alters the structure and diversity of the gut microbial community.

Tryptophan Attenuates the Effects of OTA on Intestinal Morphology and Local IgA/IgY Production in Broiler Chicks

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by species of Penicillium and Aspergillus that can contaminate products of plant origin that are used as animal feed. Through oral exposure, this mycotoxin primarily affects the chicken gastrointestinal system. The present study evaluated the intestinal toxic effects of OTA and the introduction of L-tryptophan to alleviate these effects in chickens. One-day-old chicks were exposed to a single OTA dose (1.4 mg/kg body weight—b.w.) and treated with or without four daily doses of L-tryptophan (100 mg/kg b.w.). Duodenal villus height/crypt depth, fecal immunoglobulin A/immunoglobulin Y (IgA/IgY) levels, and duodenal positive immunoglobulin A cells (IgA⁺) were evaluated by histology, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry, respectively, on the 14th day. There were significant changes in the duodenal villus height, crypt depth, and levels of fecal IgA/IgY and duodenal IgA⁺ cells (p < 0.05) in groups exposed to OTA. On the other hand, groups exposed to OTA and treated with L-tryptophan showed similar levels of villus height, IgA/IgY levels, and duodenal IgA⁺ cells to those of the control group (p > 0.05). In conclusion, exposure to a single dose of OTA orally induces changes in intestinal morphology, levels of IgA/IgY antibodies, and IgA⁺ cells. Thus, treatment with L-tryptophan may be a valid alternative means to reduce the harmful effects of OTA on the intestinal mucosa, which requires further study.