Under conditions of dietary amino acid balance, decreasing the dietary crude protein (CP) level in pigs has a beneficial effect on meat quality. To further elucidate the mechanism, we explored the alteration of muscle fiber characteristics and key regulators related to myogenesis in the skeletal muscle of pigs fed a protein restricted diet. Compared to pigs fed a normal protein diet, dietary protein restriction significantly increased the slow-twitch muscle fiber proportion in skeletal muscle, succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, the concentrations of ascorbate, biotin, palmitoleic acid, and the ratio of s-adenosylhomocysteine (SAM) to s-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), but the fast-twitch muscle fiber proportion, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, the concentrations of ATP, glucose-6-phosphate, SAM, and SAH in skeletal muscle, and the ratio of serum triiodothyronine (T3) to tetraiodothyronine (T4) were decreased. In conclusion, we demonstrated that dietary protein restriction induced skeletal muscle fiber remodeling association the regulation of FGF21-ERK1/2-mTORC1 signaling in weaned piglets.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a prevalent contaminant in feed and food, posing a serious threat to the health of both humans and animals. The pig stands as an ideal subject for the study of DON due to its recognition as the most susceptible animal to DON. In this study, the IPEC-J2 cells were utilized as an in vitro model to explore the potential of SeMet in alleviating the intestinal toxicity and oxidative injury in intestinal epithelial cells when exposed to DON. Cells were treated either with or without 4.0 μM SeMet, in combination with or without a simultaneous treatment with 0.5 μg/mL DON, for a duration of 24 h. Then, cells or related samples were analyzed for cell proliferation, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, gene expressions, and protein expressions. The results showed that SeMet mitigated the cellular toxicity caused by DON, evidenced by elevated cell proliferation and the reduced LDH release of IPEC-J2 cells in the SeMet + DON group vs. the DON group. Moreover, the SeMet treatment markedly promoted antioxidant functions and decreased the oxidative injury in IPEC-J2 cell, which is indicated by the decreased ROS level and up-regulated mRNA levels of GPX1, TXNRD1, Nrf2, and GCLC in IPEC-J2 cells in the SeMet + DON group vs. the DON group. However, in both the absence and presence of exposure to DON, the SeMet treatment did not affect the protein expression of MAPK (JNK, Erk1/2, and P38) and phosphorylated MAPK (p-JNK, p-Erk1/2, and p-P38) in IPEC-J2 cells. Collectively, SeMet alleviated the DON-induced oxidative injury in porcine intestinal epithelial cells independent of the MAPK pathway regulation.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of benzoic acid (BA) on inflammation response, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and gut microbiota in newly-weaned mice infected with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 (ETEC K88). A sum of thirty newly-weaned BALB/c mice were assigned to five groups, including the non-ETEC K88 infection group and the ETEC K88 infection + BA groups (0 %, 0.4 %, 0.6 %, and 0.8 % BA). The addition of 0.6 % BA mitigated inflammatory response and intestinal barrier impairment caused by ETEC K88. The supplementation of 0.6 % BA resulted in an increase in the Observed_species, as well as the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae and Faecalibacterium in the colon microbiota of mice. Spearman’s correlations analysis indicated a strong association between gut microbiota and parameters related to inflammation response and intestinal barrier function. Collectively, dietary 0.6 % BA supplementation could attenuate ETEC K88-induced inflammation response and intestinal barrier dysfunction associated with gut microbiota modulation in newly-weaned mice.

This research evaluated the impacts of selenomethionine (Se-Met) on hepatic functions, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and apoptosis of piglets fed deoxynivalenol (DON)-contaminated diets. Twenty-four piglets were allocated four dietary treatments (n = 6) in a 28-day feeding trial. The four treatments included the control group, which received 0.3 mg/kg of Se (as Se-Met) without DON treatment, and the DON treatment groups received 0, 0.3, or 0.5 mg/kg Se as Se-Met. A dietary addition of 0.5 mg/kg Se improved liver pathology and reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels in piglets fed DON-contaminated diets. Furthermore, 0.5 mg/kg Se mitigated the oxidative stress and apoptosis of piglets fed DON-contaminated diets, as indicated by the decreased reactive oxygen species level, and the down-regulated mRNA levels of NRF-1, Bax, and CASP9 in the liver. Importantly, 0.5 mg/kg Se enhanced the hepatic antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by increased hepatic total antioxidant capacity, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and total superoxide dismutase activities, as well as the up-regulated mRNA levels of Nrf2, Gclm, NQO1, SOD1, and GPX1 in the liver. Moreover, 0.5 mg/kg Se down-regulated the p-JNK protein level in the liver of piglets fed DON-contaminated diets. Collectively, Se-Met supplementation mitigated liver dysfunction, oxidative injury, and apoptosis through enhancing antioxidant capacity and inhibiting the JNK MAPK pathway in piglets fed DON-contaminated diets.

At a global level, the supply of protein sources is insufficient to support the current magnitude of pig production. Moreover, given the exorbitant expense of conventional protein feed options like soybean meal and fish meal, it becomes imperative to promptly explore alternative sources of protein feed for the sustainable advancement of the pig industry. Cottonseed meal, a by-product from the extraction of cottonseed oil, exhibits significant potential as a protein source for pig feed owing to its high protein content, high yield, low cost, well-balanced amino acid composition, and sufficient accessibility. However, cottonseed meal possesses several anti-nutritional factors, especially gossypol, which adversely affect growth and reproductive performance, resulting in the limited utilization of cottonseed meal in pig feed. To maximize the benefits of cottonseed meal and promote its application in pig production, it is imperative to acquire comprehensive knowledge regarding its nutritional value and current utilization. In this review, we initially presented a summary of the nutritional values of cottonseed meal, primary anti-nutritional factors, and effective approaches for improving its utilization as a protein source feed. Subsequently, we comprehensively summarized the latest research progress of cottonseed meal application in pig nutrition over the past decade. The outcome of this review serves as a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the research and application of cottonseed meal in pig nutrition and promotes the reduction of soybean meal utilization in the pig industry.

Oxidative stress and in-feed antibiotics restrictions have accelerated the development of natural, green, safe feed additives for swine and poultry diets. Lycopene has the greatest antioxidant potential among the carotenoids, due to its specific chemical structure. In the past decade, increasing attention has been paid to lycopene as a functional additive for swine and poultry feed. In this review, we systematically summarized the latest research progress on lycopene in swine and poultry nutrition during the past ten years (2013–2022). We primarily focused on the effects of lycopene on productivity, meat and egg quality, antioxidant function, immune function, lipid metabolism, and intestinal physiological functions. The output of this review highlights the crucial foundation of lycopene as a functional feed supplement for animal nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle is a major insulin-sensitive tissue with a pivotal role in modulating glucose homeostasis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of resveratrol (RES) intervention during the suckling period on skeletal muscle growth and insulin sensitivity of neonates with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in a pig model.RESULTS: Twelve pairs of normal birth weight (NBW) and IUGR neonatal male piglets were selected. The NBW and IUGR piglets were fed basal formula milk diet or identical diet supplemented with 0.1% RES from 7 to 21 days of age. Myofiber growth and differentiation, inflammation and insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle were assessed. Early RES intervention promoted myofiber growth and maturity in IUGR piglets by ameliorating the myogenesis process and increasing thyroid hormone level. Administering RES also reduced triglyceride concentration in skeletal muscle of IUGR piglets, along with decreased inflammatory response, increased plasma fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) concentration and improved insulin signaling. Meanwhile, the improvement of insulin sensitivity by RES may be partly regulated by activation of the FGF21/AMP-activated protein kinase alpha/sirtuin 1/peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha pathway.CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that RES has beneficial effects in promoting myofiber growth and maturity and increasing skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in IUGR piglets, which open a novel field of application of RES in IUGR infants for improving postnatal metabolic adaptation.(c) 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Polysaccharides from Enteromorpha prolifera (EP) possess important benefits in the management of obesity and associated metabolic diseases, but to date, the underlying mechanism linking this alleviative effect of EP to gut microbiota remains obscure. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EP in improving lipid metabolism disorders and intestinal barrier disruption in mice with high-fat diet (HFD), and its association with modulation of gut microbiota. C57BL/6 mice were fed a control diet or a HFD with or without 5% EP for 12 weeks. Factors related to lipid metabolism, insulin signaling and intestinal barrier integrity, as well as the involvement of gut microbiota and metabolites, were measured. EP supplementation reduced HFD-induced adiposity and mitigated insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis and elevation of serum lipopolysaccharides (LPS). HFD impaired intestinal barrier integrity while improved due to EP. Moreover, EP administration ameliorated HFD-induced gut dysbiosis, as revealed by the increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria (e.g., Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Alloprevotella, and Ruminococcus) and gut barrier-protective Akkermansia muciniphila and decreased endotoxin-producing bacteria (e.g., Desulfovibrionaceae and Bilophila), accompanied by enrichment in intestinal SCFA content and reduction in circulating LPS level. The change of dominant bacterial genera is significantly correlated with improved metabolic profiles and intestinal permeability induced by EP. In conclusion, our results indicate that EP can attenuate HFD-induced metabolic disorders along with restoration of gut barrier integrity and lowering of circulating endotoxin, and these improvements are associated with modulation of gut microbiota composition and related metabolites. These data deepen mechanistic understanding of the anti-obesity and metabolic improving effects of EP.

Kaempferol, a secondary metabolite found in plants, is a naturally occurring flavonoid displaying significant potential in various biological activities. The chemical structure of kaempferol is distinguished by the presence of phenyl rings and four hydroxyl substituents, which make it an exceptional radical scavenger. Most recently, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated the significance of kaempferol in the regulation of intestinal function and the mitigation of intestinal inflammation. The focus of the review will primarily be on its impact in terms of antioxidant properties, inflammation, maintenance of intestinal barrier function, and its potential in the treatment of colorectal cancer and obesity. Future research endeavors should additionally give priority to investigating the specific dosage and duration of kaempferol administration for different pathological conditions, while simultaneously conducting deeper investigations into the comprehensible mechanisms of action related to the regulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). This review intends to present novel evidence supporting the utilization of kaempferol in the regulation of gut health and the management of associated diseases.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) plays a vital role in normal eukaryotic organism development and homeostatic metabolism under the influence of internal and external factors such as endogenous hormone changes and exogenous stimuli. Over the last few decades, comprehensive studies have revealed the key role of FGF21 in regulating many fundamental metabolic pathways, including the muscle stress response, insulin signaling transmission, and muscle development. By coordinating these metabolic pathways, FGF21 is thought to contribute to acclimating to a stressful environment and the subsequent recovery of cell and tissue homeostasis. With the emphasis on FGF21, we extensively reviewed the research findings on the production and regulation of FGF21 and its role in muscle metabolism. We also emphasize how the FGF21 metabolic networks mediate mitochondrial dysfunction, glycogen consumption, and myogenic development and investigate prospective directions for the functional exploitation of FGF21 and its downstream effectors, such as the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR).

This study aimed to investigate the effects of an organic acid (OA) blend on intestinal barrier function, intestinal inflammation, and gut microbiota in mice challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 (ETEC K88). Ninety female Kunming mice (7 weeks old) were randomly allotted to five treatments with six replicates per treatment and three mice per replicate. The five treatments were composed of the non-ETEC K88 challenge group and ETEC K88 challenge + OA blend groups (0, 0.6 %, 1.2 %, and 2.4 % OA blend). The OA blend consisted of 47.5 % formic acid, 47.5 % benzoic acid, and 5 % tributyrin. The feeding trial lasted for 15 days, and mice were intraperitoneally injected with PBS or ETEC K88 solution on day 15. At 24 h post-challenge, one mouse per replicate was selected for sample collection. The results showed that a dosage of 0.6 % OA blend alleviated the ETEC K88-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction, as indicated by the elevated villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth of jejunum, and the reduced serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactate levels, as well as the up-regulated mRNA levels of ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin in jejunum mucosa of mice. Furthermore, dietary addition with 0.6 % OA blend decreased ETEC K88-induced inflammation response, as suggested by the decreased TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels, and the increased IgA level in the serum, as well as the down-regulated mRNA level of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1 beta, TLR-4, MyD88, and MCP-1 in jejunum mucosa of mice. Regarding gut microbiota, the beta-diversity analysis revealed a remarkable clustering between the 0.6 % OA blend group and the ETEC K88 challenge group. Supplementation of 0.6 % OA blend decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes, and increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Desulfobacterota, and Verrucomicrobiota of colonic digesta in mice. Also, the butyric acid content in the colonic digesta of mice was increased by dietary 0.6 % OA blend supplementation. Collectively, a dosage of 0.6 % OA blend could alleviate the ETEC K88-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction by regulating intestinal inflammation and gut microbiota of mice.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary rare earth (RE) supplementation on production performance, egg quality, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and gut microbiota in late-phase laying hens. A total of 960 Lohmann Pink laying hens (380 d old) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments in a 21-day feeding trial. There were 6 replicates in each treatment, with 32 hens per replicate. The five experimental diets were supplemented with 0, 150, 300, 450, and 600 g/t RE in the basal diet. Compared with the control group, hens fed the 150 g/t RE diet had a greater average egg weight during the third week of the experimental period ( p < 0.05). However, dietary 150, 300, or 600 g/t RE supplementation decreased the eggshell thickness of laying hens compared to that of the control group ( p < 0.05). No differences were observed in the serum biochemical parameters of laying hens among treatments except for the HDL-C concentration, which was higher in the 300 or 450 g/t RE-supplemented group than in the control group ( p < 0.05). However, GSH-Px activity increased when hens were fed the 600 vs. 0 g/t RE diet ( p < 0.05). But dietary supplementation with 600 g/t RE increased the ileum’s crypt depth in laying hens compared to the control group ( p < 0.05). There were significant differences in beta diversity of cecum microbiota in laying hens fed a 600 g/t RE diet in place of the other 4 experimental diets ( p < 0.05). Compared with the control diet, dietary 600 g/t RE supplementation significantly decreased the relative abundance of Fusobacteriota (phylum) and Fusobacterium (genus) while markedly increasing the relative abundance of Ruminococcus (genus) and Subdoligranulum (genus) ( p < 0.05). A high RE dosage negatively affects egg quality and intestinal morphology and alters gut microbiota diversity and composition. In contrast, a moderate RE dosage has beneficial effects on production performance in late-phase laying hens. Further research is warranted regarding eggshell thickness to investigate whether dietary calcium levels must be adjusted when 150 g/t RE is supplemented for late-phase laying hens.

Polysaccharide decolorization has a major effect on polysaccharide function. In the present study, the decolorization of Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharides (RGP) is optimized using two methods-the AB-8 macroporous resin (RGP-1) method and the H2O2 (RGP-2) method. The optimal decolorization parameters for the AB-8 macroporous resin method were as follows: temperature, 50 °C; macroporous resin addition, 8.4%; decolorization duration, 64 min; and pH, 5. Under these conditions, the overall score was 65.29 ± 3.4%. The optimal decolorization conditions for the H2O2 method were as follows: temperature, 51 °C; H2O2 addition, 9.5%; decolorization duration, 2 h; and pH, 8.6. Under these conditions, the overall score was 79.29 ± 4.8%. Two pure polysaccharides (RGP-1-A and RGP-2-A) were isolated from RGP-1 and RGP-2. Subsequently, their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms were evaluated. RGP treatment activated the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway and significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (p < 0.05). It also inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory factors and suppressed the TLR4/NF-κB pathway (p < 0.05). RGP-1-A had a significantly better protective effect than RGP-2-A, likely owing to the sulfate and uronic groups it contains. Together, the findings indicate that RGP can act as a natural agent for the prevention of oxidation and inflammation-related diseases.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) was originally identified as an important metabolic regulator which plays a crucial physiological role in regulating a variety of metabolic parameters through the metabolic network. As a novel multifunctional endocrine growth factor, the role of FGF21 in the metabolic network warrants extensive exploration. This insight was obtained from the observation that the FGF21-dependent mechanism that regulates lipid metabolism, glycogen transformation, and biological effectiveness occurs through the coordinated participation of the liver, adipose tissue, central nervous system, and sympathetic nerves. This review focuses on the role of FGF21-uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) signaling in lipid metabolism and how FGF21 alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Additionally, this review reveals the mechanism by which FGF21 governs glucolipid metabolism. Recent research on the role of FGF21 in the metabolic network has mostly focused on the crucial pathway of glucolipid metabolism. FGF21 has been shown to have multiple regulatory roles in the metabolic network. Since an adequate understanding of the concrete regulatory pathways of FGF21 in the metabolic network has not been attained, this review sheds new light on the metabolic mechanisms of FGF21, explores how FGF21 engages different tissues and organs, and lays a theoretical foundation for future in-depth research on FGF21-targeted treatment of metabolic diseases.

Polysaccharide from Enteromorpha prolifera (EPP) has therapeutic and nutraceutical potential for obesity management due to its high hypolipidaemic activity. However, the metabolic mechanism by which EPP mediates anti-adiposity effects are not fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of EPP on insulin signaling and adaptive thermogenesis in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice, and further explore the underlying mechanisms. C57BL/6 male mice were fed a control diet or an HFD diet with or without 5% EPP for 12 weeks. The insulin signaling and thermogenic program in adipose tissue, and energy expenditure, as well as involvement of PPARγ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)-fibronectin type 3 domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5)/irisin pathway were assessed. EPP alleviated diet-induced adiposity, and decreased inflammatory response and improved insulin signaling in white adipose tissue (WAT) of HFD mice. Moreover, EPP administration increased oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production and heat production in HFD mice, as reflected by the increased thermogenesis observed in brown fat and inguinal WAT. Meanwhile, EPP increased serum irisin concentration and activated PGC-1α/FNDC5/adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) pathway. These results suggested that dietary EPP improved insulin signaling and whole-body energy metabolism in obese mice, likely by activating the PGC-1α-FNDC5/irisin pathways.

Oxidative stress is a potentially critical factor that affects productive performance in gestating and lactating sows. Polyphenols are a large class of plant secondary metabolites that possess robust antioxidant capacity. All polyphenols are structurally characterized by aromatic rings with multiple hydrogen hydroxyl groups; those make polyphenols perfect hydrogen atoms and electron donors to neutralize free radicals and other reactive oxygen species. In the past decade, increasing attention has been paid to polyphenols as functional feed additives for sows. Polyphenols have been found to alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress in sows, boost their reproductivity, and promote offspring growth and development. In this review, we provided a systematical summary of the latest research advances in plant-derived polyphenols in sow nutrition, and mainly focused on the effects of polyphenols on the (1) antioxidant and immune functions of sows, (2) placental functions and the growth and development of fetal piglets, (3) mammary gland functions and the growth and development of suckling piglets, and (4) the long-term growth and development of progeny pigs. The output of this review provides an important foundation, from more than 8,000 identified plant phenols, to screen potential polyphenols (or polyphenol-enriched plants) as functional feed additives suitable for gestating and lactating sows.

随着我国饲料禁抗和养殖减抗时代的到来,畜禽健康养殖面临畜产品质量和安全的双重约束及保护生态环境的压力,开发各种天然的功能性饲料添加剂以替代抗生素的作用成为必然发展趋势.浒苔多糖是浒苔中主要的功能活性物质,具有免疫调节、抗氧化、降血脂等多种生物学活性,是现代动物生产中新型抗逆功能添加剂开发的有效选择之一,具有替代饲用抗生素的潜在价值.本文主要围绕浒苔多糖的理化性质、生物学特性、营养生理功能及其在畜禽和水产生产中的初步应用进行综述,旨在为其高值化利用提供科学依据.

本试验旨在研究母猪妊娠饲粮中添加甲基供体对新生仔猪肝脏糖脂代谢和线粒体功能的影响.将平均体重为(102.8±6.3)kg的"杜洛克×二花脸"初胎母猪在人工授精后分为2组,分别饲喂基础饲粮(对照组,n=21)和添加甲基供体(4700 mg/kg蛋氨酸、16.3 mg/kg叶酸、2230 mg/kg胆碱、0.15 mg/kg维生素B12和1180 mg/kg维生素B6)的基础饲粮(甲基供体组,n=22).饲养试验从母猪配种开始至母猪分娩结束.母猪分娩结束后,称取新生仔猪重,然后每组选取8窝,每窝选取1头仔猪(每组共选取8头仔猪)进行屠宰采样,测定新生仔猪内脏器官重量,并采集肝脏,用于测定肝脏糖脂代谢和线粒体功能指标.结果表明:1)相比对照组,母猪妊娠饲粮中添加甲基供体对新生仔猪个体重和肝脏重量无显著影响(P>0.05),但显著提高了新生仔猪脾脏重量(P<0.05).2)相比对照组,母猪妊娠饲粮中添加甲基供体显著提高了新生仔猪肝脏中糖原(Gly)含量、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶(PEPCK)与葡萄糖-6-磷酸酶(G6PC)活性(P<0.05),并显著降低了新生仔猪肝脏中甘油三酯(TG)和总胆固醇(TC)含量(P<0.05).3)相比对照组,母猪妊娠饲粮中添加甲基供体显著上调了新生仔猪肝脏糖异生相关酶如PEPCK1和G6PC的mRNA和蛋白相对表达量(P<0.05),显著下调了新生仔猪肝脏固醇调节元件结合蛋白-1C(SREBP-1C)和硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶(SCD)等脂质合成相关基因的mRNA相对表达量(P<0.05),同时还显著上调了新生仔猪肝脏过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体 α(PPARα)和脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)等肝脏脂质分解相关基因的mRNA相对表达量(P<0.05).4)相比对照组,母猪妊娠饲粮中添加甲基供体显著提高了新生仔猪肝脏三磷酸腺苷(ATP)、氧化型辅酶Ⅰ(NAD+)、线粒体DNA(mtDNA)含量以及柠檬酸合酶(CS)和琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)活性(P<0.05).5)相比对照组,母猪妊娠饲粮中添加甲基供体显著提高了新生仔猪肝脏过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ辅激活因子-1α(PGC-1α)、细胞核呼吸因子-1(NRF-1)的mRNA相对表达量(P<0.05).综上所述,母猪妊娠饲粮中添加甲基供体可抑制新生仔猪肝脏脂质沉积,促进新生仔猪糖异生,改善新生仔猪肝脏糖脂代谢和线粒体功能.

L-theanine (LTh), a unique nonproteinic amino acid of tea, is known to possess beneficial effects on diet-induced obesity. This study aimed to evaluate whether orally administrated LTh could improve the adaptive thermogenesis of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice through regulating the composition of gut microbiota. Mice were fed control diet or a HFD with or without LTh for 12 weeks. Oral LTh administration ameliorated adiposity and hepatic steatosis in HFD mice. LTh increased the metabolic activities of brown fat and subcutaneous white fat by enhancing the expression of a series of thermogenic genes. More importantly, LTh improved the intestinal dysbiosis by decreasing the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, along with increases in the fecal short chain fatty acids concentrations. In conclusion, LTh ameliorates metabolic features of obesity by promoting fat browning and improving gut microbiota composition in HFD mice, which may be a mechanism of LTh-induced beneficial metabolic health.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary Yucca schidigera extract (YSE) supplementation to sow performance, nutrients digestibility and ammonia emission of manure. Total 80 sows were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed with either control, control + 0.06% YSE, control + 0.12% YSE or control + 0.24% YSE diet from day 80 of gestation to day 21 of lactation. The results showed that dietary YSE supplementation resulted in trends toward a reduced number of stillbirth piglets ( P = 0.08), weak piglets (P = 0.06), pre-weanling mortality ( P = 0.04) and diarrhea ( P = 0.03), and improved apparent digestibility of dry matter ( P = 0.04). Besides, YSE supplementation significantly increased catalase activity ( P = 0.02) while decreasing malonaldehyde levels ( P = 0.04) in sow blood. Furthermore, the loss of total nitrogen, urea nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen in sow manure were significantly reduced with supplementation of YSE. In summary, supplementation of YSE in sow diet during late gestation and lactation could improve sow and litter performance, nutrient digestibility, and reduce nitrogen loss in sow manure during storage.