Biological function of resveratrol and its application in animal production: a review

With the prohibition of antibiotics in feed, plant functional substances have been widely studied as feed additives. Resveratrol, a natural stilbene, and a non-flavonoid polyphenol found in plants, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory features. Resveratrol generated intense scientific and public interest, primarily due to its widely reported ability to prevent cancer, delay aging and alleviate related metabolic diseases. Recently, resveratrol has been studied and applied as a feed additive in animal production. This review focuses on the outline of the absorption and metabolism and biological functions of resveratrol and summarizes the application of dietary resveratrol in animal production up to the present, including pigs, poultry, and ruminants. In pigs, dietary resveratrol improved intestinal health, mitochondrial function, meat quality, and more. In poultry, studies have shown that dietary resveratrol improves growth performance and meat and egg quality and alleviates heat stress induced adverse effects. There are few studies on dietary resveratrol in ruminants; however previous studies have indicated that dietary resveratrol increases nutrient digestibility and reduces methane emissions in sheep. It is hoped that this review could provide a specific theoretical basis and research ideas for the research and application of resveratrol.

Effect of dietary resveratrol supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, intestinal immunity and gut microbiota in yellow-feathered broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide

Resveratrol (RES) displays strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in protecting the animals from various stressors and inflammatory injuries, but its interrelationship with the gut microbiota remained largely unclear. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary RES supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, intestinal immunity and gut microbiota in yellow-feathered broilers challenged by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 240 yellow-feathered broilers were randomly assigned to four treatment groups in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The broilers were fed with the control diet or control diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg RES, followed by challenge with LPS or the same amount of saline. Dietary RES supplementation significantly alleviated the decreases in the final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and ADFI induced by LPS (P < 0.05). LPS challenge significantly increased plasma concentrations of triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and cortisol levels, but decreased triiodothyronine (T3) and insulin levels (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with RES significantly reversed the elevated creatinine concentrations and the decreased concentrations of T3 and insulin caused by LPS (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary RES supplementation significantly increased plasma total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and catalase (CAT) activities and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and T-AOC activities in jejunal mucosa and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the plasma (P < 0.05). The reduction in the villus height to crypt depth ratio in duodenum, jejunum and ileum and the shortening of villus height in jejunum and ileum caused by LPS were also alleviated by RES treatment (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the increased concentrations of intestinal tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β caused by LPS were significantly decreased by RES treatment (P < 0.05). Dietary RES treatment increased the mRNA expression of claudin-1, claudin-5, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and decreased mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-8, IL-17, and TNF-α after LPS challenge (P < 0.05). Dietary RES treatments significantly decreased the dominance of cecal microbiota, and increased the Pieiou-e and Simpson index. Moreover, dietary RES supplementation increased relative abundance of UCG_ 009, Erysipelotrichaceae, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Anaerotruncus, RF39, and Ruminococcus while decreasing the abundance of Alistipes at genus level. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the microbes at the order and genus levels significantly correlated with indicators of growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health. Collectively, dietary supplementation with 400 mg/kg RES could improve growth performance and antioxidant capacity, and modulate intestinal immunity in yellow-feathered broilers challenged by LPS at early stage, which might be closely associated with the regulation of gut microbiota community composition.

Emerging Trends in the Delivery of Resveratrol by Nanostructures: Applications of Nanotechnology in Life Sciences

Resveratrol (RES) is a stilbene group of natural polyphenolic compounds in trees, peanuts, and grapes. RES is revealed with anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effects. Though it is proven with prominent therapeutic activity, low aqueous solubility, poor bioavailability, and short half-life had hindered its use to exploit the potential. Also, the first-pass metabolism and undergoing enterohepatic recirculation are obscure in the minds of researchers for their in vitro studies. Many approaches have been investigated and shown promising results in manipulating their physicochemical properties to break this barrier. Nanocarriers are one of them to reduce the first-pass metabolism and to overcome other hurdles. This article reviews and highlights such encapsulation technologies. Nanoencapsulated RES improves in vitro antioxidant effect, and this review also highlights the new strategies and the concept behind how resveratrol can be handled and implemented with better therapeutic efficacy.

Efficacy of in ovo delivered resveratrol (Trans 3, 4, 5-trihydroxystilbene) on growth, carcass weights, and blood metabolites of broiler chicks

This research aimed to determine the impact of in ovo resveratrol (RV) (Trans.3, 4, 5-trihydroxystilbene) injection on performance, carcass weights, and blood constituents in Cobb chicks. A total of 300 fertile broiler breeder eggs were divided into five treatments as 60 eggs in each group, with 6 replicates (10 eggs each). The groups were as follows: (1) negative control (without additive), (2) positive control (saline injection), (3) 1.5 mg RV, 4) 3.0 mg RV, and (5) 4.5 mg in ovo RV injections. Significant changes were found in the amount of forage consumed per day, and the feed conversion ratio between treatment groups. RV injection significantly altered the parameters of the complete lipid profile, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, and very low-density lipoproteins, in plasma. RV injection significantly affected blood biochemical parameters, including total protein, albumin, and globulin in broiler chicken plasma. Liver and kidney functions were influenced by the injection of RV eggs into broiler chickens. The antioxidant enzymes also changed significantly after RV injection. Moreover, in egg injection from RV the immunogenicity (IgG and IgM) in broiler chickens were significantly altered. In conclusion, in ovo injection with RV significantly improved liver and kidney functions, antioxidant activity, and immune function in Cobb broilers.

Redox Homeostasis in Poultry: Regulatory Roles of NF-κB

Redox biology is a very quickly developing area of modern biological sciences, and roles of redox homeostasis in health and disease have recently received tremendous attention. There are a range of redox pairs in the cells/tissues responsible for redox homeostasis maintenance/regulation. In general, all redox elements are interconnected and regulated by various means, including antioxidant and vitagene networks. The redox status is responsible for maintenance of cell signaling and cell stress adaptation. Physiological roles of redox homeostasis maintenance in avian species, including poultry, have received limited attention and are poorly characterized. However, for the last 5 years, this topic attracted much attention, and a range of publications covered some related aspects. In fact, transcription factor Nrf2 was shown to be a master regulator of antioxidant defenses via activation of various vitagenes and other protective molecules to maintain redox homeostasis in cells/tissues. It was shown that Nrf2 is closely related to another transcription factor, namely, NF-κB, responsible for control of inflammation; however, its roles in poultry have not yet been characterized. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe a current view on NF-κB functioning in poultry with a specific emphasis to its nutritional modulation under various stress conditions. In particular, on the one hand, it has been shown that, in many stress conditions in poultry, NF-κB activation can lead to increased synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines leading to systemic inflammation. On the other hand, there are a range of nutrients/supplements that can downregulate NF-κB and decrease the negative consequences of stress-related disturbances in redox homeostasis. In general, vitagene-NF-κB interactions in relation to redox balance homeostasis, immunity, and gut health in poultry production await further research.

Health Benefits and Molecular Mechanisms of Resveratrol: A Narrative Review

Resveratrol is a bioactive compound in many foods. Since its anticancer activity was reported in 1997, its health benefits have been intensively investigated. Resveratrol has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, glucose and lipid regulatory, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective effects, therefore, can protect against diverse chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, liver diseases, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. This review summarizes the main findings of resveratrol-related health benefits in recent epidemiological surveys, experimental studies, and clinical trials, highlighting its related molecular mechanisms. Resveratrol, therefore, has been regarded as a potent candidate for the development of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals to prevent and treat certain chronic diseases.

Effects of dietary resveratrol supplementation on immunity, antioxidative capacity and intestinal barrier function in weaning piglets

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of dietary supplementation of resveratrol on immunity, antioxidative capacity, intestinal barrier function in weaning piglets. Here, fifty-four 28-day-old Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weaning piglets were randomly divided into three dietary treatments and fed with a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 150 and 300 mg/kg resveratrol, respectively, for 42 days. The results indicated that resveratrol increased serum immunoglobulin G content. In serum, resveratrol increased glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content. In liver, resveratrol not only increased T-AOC and total superoxide dismutase enzyme activities but also decreased MDA content. Meanwhile, the results showed that resveratrol had significantly increased the jejunum villus height and villus height/crypt depth, and decreased the crypt depth in jejunum. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of IL-10 and ZO-1 were significantly increased in jejunal mucosa. However, there was no significant difference in the mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, Occludin and Claudin1 between the treatment groups and the control group. Taken together, these results indicated that dietary supplementation of resveratrol could increase antioxidant activity, promote the integrity of intestinal barrier and increase the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines in weaning piglets.

Protective effects of resveratrol against high ambient temperature-induced spleen dysplasia in broilers through modulating splenic redox status and apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Resveratrol has been shown to prevent high ambient temperature (HT)-induced spleen dysplasia, but the mechanisms of action are not clear. This study aims to examine the hypothesis that HT-induced spleen dysplasia may be associated with HT-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, and resveratrol may activate the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, thus reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

RESULTS

Results showed that HT caused spleen dysplasia in broilers, reflecting the lower relative weight of the spleen (P < 0.05). Compared with birds in a normal ambient temperature group, birds in the HT group exhibited higher (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) content, higher Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 mRNA levels, and caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity, and a higher Bax/B-cell lympoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) ratio, but they exhibited lower (P < 0.05) glutathione (GSH) and Bcl-2 content, and lower Nrf2, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), MnSOD, heme oxygenase 1, glutathione reductase (GR) and Bcl-2 mRNA levels, and lower total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), T-SOD and catalase and maganese superoixide dismutase (CAT) activity, indicating HT-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. Compared with birds in the HT group, birds in the HT + Res group exhibited higher (P < 0.05) GSH and Bcl-2 content, higher Nrf2, CAT, MnSOD, GR and Bcl-2 mRNA levels, and higher T-AOC, T-SOD and CAT activity, but lower (P < 0.05) MDA content, and Bax and caspase-3 mRNA levels, lower caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, indicating that resveratrol activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway and decreased apoptosis in the spleen.

CONCLUSION

Resveratrol was effective in ameliorating HT-induced spleen dysplasia in broilers through the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby decreasing apoptosis, suggesting that resveratrol may offer a potential nutritional strategy to protect against some HT-induced detriments. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dietary resveratrol supplementation prevents transport-stress-impaired meat quality of broilers through maintaining muscle energy metabolism and antioxidant status

This experiment was to evaluate the effect of dietary resveratrol (Res) supplementation (0, 400 mg/kg) on growth performance, meat quality, and muscle anaerobic glycolysis and antioxidant capacity of transported broilers. A total of 360 21-day-old male Cobb broilers was randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments (Res-free group and Res group) with 12 replicates of 15 birds each. On the morning of d 42, after a 9-hour fast, 24 birds (2 birds of each replicate) were selected from the Res-free group and then equally placed into 2 crates, and the other 12 birds (one bird of each replicate) were selected from the Res group and then placed into the other crate. All birds in the 3 crates were transported according to the following protocols: 0-hour transport of birds in the Res-free group (control group), 3-hour transport of birds in the Res-free group (T group), and 3-hour transport of birds in the Res group (T + Res group). The results showed that Res not only improved feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) but also tended to improve birds’ final body weight (P < 0.10). In the Res-free group, a 3-hour transport increased serum corticosterone concentration, muscle malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate contents, and muscle lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, while it decreased muscle glycogen content, total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities (P < 0.05), which induced decreased breast meat quality (lower pH_24h and higher drip loss and L*_24 h, P < 0.05). Nevertheless, compared with the T group, Res increased muscle glycogen content and T-SOD and GSH-PX activities (P < 0.05 or P < 0.10), while it decreased muscle MDA content and LDH activity (P < 0.05), which is beneficial to the meat quality maintenance of transported broilers (lower drip loss, L*_24 h, and higher pH_24h, P < 0.05 or P < 0.10). This study provides the first evidence that dietary resveratrol supplementation prevents transport-stress-impaired meat quality of broilers, possibly through decreasing the muscle anaerobic glycolysis metabolism and improving the muscle antioxidant capacity.

Protective effects and immunomodulation on piglets infected with rotavirus following resveratrol supplementation

Rotavirus (RV), belonging to Reoviridae family, is the leading cause of acute severe viral diarrhea in children (under 5 years old) and infant animals worldwide. Although vaccines are commonly used to prevent infection, episodes of diarrhea caused by RV frequently occur. Thus, this study was conducted to determine whether resveratrol had protective effects against RV infection in piglets. Following pretreatment with resveratrol dry suspension through adding into the basal diet for 3 weeks, the piglets were orally challenged with RV. We found that resveratrol could alleviate diarrhea induced by RV infection. Resveratrol-treatment inhibited the TNF-α production, indicating that the anti-RV activity of resveratrol may be achieved by reducing the inflammatory response. The IFN-γ level was elevated in 10mg/kg/d resveratrol-treated group and 30mg/kg/d resveratrol-treated group after RV infection. The ratios of CD4+/CD8+ in resveratrol-treated groups were the same as that in mock infected group, suggesting that resveratrol could maintain the immune function in RV-infected piglets. It was found that resveratrol could alleviate diarrhea induced by RV infection. These results revealed that resveratrol dry suspension could be a new control measure for RV infection.

Effect of dietary resveratrol supplementation on meat quality, muscle antioxidative capacity and mitochondrial biogenesis of broilers

BACKGROUND

The naturally occurring polyphenol resveratrol has been acknowledged with many beneficial biological effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of dietary resveratrol supplementation on meat quality, muscle antioxidative capacity and mitochondrial biogenesis of broilers. One hundred and eighty 21-day-old male Cobb broilers were randomly assigned to two groups and fed on a 0 mg kg^-1 or 400 mg kg^-1 resveratrol-supplemented diet for 21 days. Then, chickens were slaughtered and pectoralis major muscle (PM) samples were collected for analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed that resveratrol not only tended to increase (P < 0.10) PM pH_24h but also significantly decreased (P < 0.05) PM L*_45min , pH decline, drip loss and lactate content. Meanwhile, PM total antioxidative capacity and catalase activity were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by resveratrol, while malondialdehyde content was decreased (P < 0.10). Moreover, resveratrol significantly increased (P < 0.05) PM peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α and nuclear respiratory factor 1 mRNA levels, along with increased (P < 0.05) citrate synthase activity.

CONCLUSION

Resveratrol can be used as a feed additive to improve meat quality of broilers, which may be associated with improved muscle antioxidative status and mitochondrial biogenesis. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Resveratrol Dry Suspension on Immune Function of Piglets

Resveratrol, a polyphenolic plant antitoxin, has a wide range of pharmacological activities. In this study, we systematically evaluated the effects of resveratrol dry suspension (RDS) on immune function in piglets that were treated with different doses of RDS for 2 weeks. The results showed that the RDS has significant effects on the development, maturation, proliferation, and transformation of T lymphocytes. RDS could regulate humoral immune responses by upregulating the release of IFN-γ and downregulating the release of TNF-α. After piglets were vaccinated against classical swine fever virus and foot-and-mouth disease virus, the antibody titers were significantly increased. RDS treatment showed an excellent resistance to enhance T-SOD activity. Values of blood routine and blood biochemistry showed no toxicity. These results suggested that RDS could be considered as an adjuvant to enhance immune responses to vaccines, as well as dietary additives for animals to enhance humoral and cellular immunity.