Dietary hydrolyzed wheat gluten supplementation ameliorated intestinal barrier dysfunctions of broilers challenged with Escherichia coli O78
Yujun Wu, Wenyu Wang, In Ho Kim, Ying Yang
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate a protective effect of hydrolyzed wheat gluten (HWG) on Escherichia coli (E. coli)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunctions in broilers. Broilers fed a basal diet unsupplemented or supplemented with HWG (0.5% or 1%) were intraperitoneally injected with either E. coli O78 suspension (108 CFU/mL) or equal volume of vehicle on d 18 of age. Blood and tissue samples were collected 3rd d post infection. The results showed that E. coli-infection increased immune-organ indexes of spleen and thymus, enhanced serum diamine oxidase (DAO) level, impaired ileal villus structure and reduced tight junction mRNA levels (Occludin, Claudin-1, ZO-1, P < 0.05), while increased mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and TLR4 in the ileum of broilers (P < 0.05). The effects of E. coli O78 challenge on organ indexes of spleen and thymus, serum DAO level, mRNA levels of tight junctions were alleviated by 1% HWG supplementation, the upregulations of IL-1β and TLR4 were prevented by 0.5% HWG supplementation (P < 0.05). In addition, increased IFN-γ of E. coli-infected broilers was abrogated by 0.5% or 1% HWG supplementation (P < 0.05). In summary, dietary HWG supplementation ameliorated intestinal barrier dysfunctions triggered by E. coli-infection in the ileum of broilers. HWG supplementation might be a nutritional strategy to improve the intestinal mucosal barrier function of broilers.