Effects of Varium on expression of intestinal barrier, antioxidant and pro-inflammatory cytokine genes in young broiler chickens with experimental necrotic enteritis

Authors: CHING, S - Oil-Dri Corporation Of America; OH, S - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA); Lillehoj, Hyun; JOHNSTON, S - Amlan International; HERPFER, M - Oil-Dri Corporation Of America; DEBOER, E - Oil-Dri Corporation Of America; XUE, H - Oil-Dri Corporation Of America

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Effects of Varium® on expression of intestinal barrier, antioxidant and pro-inflammatory cytokine genes in young broiler chickens with experimental necrotic enteritis. S Ching2, S Oh1, H Lillehoj1, S Johnston3, M Herpfer2, E DeBoer2, H Xue*2; 1USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD USA, 2Oil-Dri Corporation of America, Chicago, IL, USA, 3Amlan International, Chicago, IL USA. In multiple trials, Varium, a formulated product, was proven to control enteric bacterial toxins and improve broiler performance. Meta-analysis revealed improvement in broiler chickens with and without a necrotic enteritis (NE) challenge, as well as with or without an in-feed antibiotic. Along with the improvements in performance parameters, Varium improved NE-induced intestinal lesion scores and reduced translocation of Clostridium perfringens-produced exotoxins across the intestine and into blood following NE challenge. This study investigated the effects of Varium on immune and antioxidant responses and intestinal barrier homeostasis during NE challenge. From hatch, chickens (8 pens/trt, 7 chicks/pen) were fed a diet with Varium, BMD (55ppm), or with a non-supplemented control diet, and orally challenged with 1x104 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria maxima at 3 d and 1.0×109 cfu of C perfringens at 7 d of age. The group of uninfected chickens fed with a non-supplemented control diet was the negative control. At 2 d post C perfringens challenge, intestinal sections were scored for NE lesions and mRNA expression of intestinal tight junction proteins; pro-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant enzymes were analyzed in intestinal tissues via qRT-PCR analysis. Feeding Varium decreased (vs. challenged controls, P<0.05) the lesion scores of challenged chickens to a level like BMD. Feeding Varium increased intestinal mRNA expression of occludin and Zonula occludens-1, two key tight junction family members, relative to the challenged controls (P<0.05). Reduced expression of catalase by NE challenge was completely reversed by feeding Varium. Further, Varium upregulated mRNA expression of IL-1ß and Lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha factor (LITAF) (P<0.05). In conclusion, Varium enhanced gut integrity and antioxidant defenses during an NE challenge. Additionally, Varium enhanced the host ability to mount adequate protective immunity against challenge by NE-causing pathogens. The benefits provided by using Varium can contribute to a better preserved immune homeostasis during NE challenge. KEYWORDS Necrotic enteritis exotoxins immune