Explore the vast range of titles available.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) at pharmacological doses is extensively employed in the pig industry as an effective tool to manage post-weaning diarrhea (PWD), a condition that causes huge economic losses because of its impact on the most pivotal phase of a piglet’s production cycle. In a multifactorial way, ZnO exerts a variety of positive effects along the entire gastrointestinal tract by targeting intestinal architecture, digestive secretions, antioxidant systems, and immune cells. ZnO also has a moderate antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli F4 (K88), the main causative agent of PWD. However, the environmental impact of ZnO and new emerging threats are posing serious questions to the sustainability of its extensive utilization. To work towards a future free from pharmacological ZnO, novel nutritional approaches are necessary, and many strategies have been investigated. This review article provides a comprehensive framework for ZnO utilization and its broad mode of action. Moreover, all the risks related to pharmacological ZnO levels are presented; we focus on European institutions’ decisions subsequently. The identification of a novel, complete solution against PWD should be accompanied by the adoption of holistic strategies, thereby combining good management practices to feeding approaches capable of mitigating Escherichia coli F4 (K88) infections and/or lowering ZnO utilization. Promising results can be obtained by adjusting diet composition or employing organic acids, natural identical compounds, polyphenol-rich extracts, prebiotics, and probiotics.

Organic acids have been used successfully in pig production as a cost-effective performance-enhancing option and they continue to be the number one alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. The aim of this review is to provide the biological rationale behind organic acids use in pig production, focusing on their different effects along the gastrointestinal tract of pigs. Organic acids are reviewed for their antimicrobial properties and for their classic use as acidifiers, with particular attention to pH modulation and microflora control. Additional beneficial effects on intestinal health and general metabolism are presented and we explain the advantage of microencapsulation as a tool to deliver organic acids along the intestine.

A 71-day study was conducted to explore the effect of increasing dietary levels (0, 250, 500, 1000 mg kg feed −1 ; D0, D250, D500 and D1000, respectively) of a blend of microencapsulated organic acids (OA, specifically citric and sorbic acid) and nature identical compounds (NIC, specifically thymol and vanillin), on growth, intestinal immune parameters and gut microbiota (GM) of European sea bass juveniles reared under normal and subsequently suboptimal environmental conditions (high temperature, 30.0 ± 0.4 °C and low oxygen, 4.6 ± 0.6 mg L −1 ). OA and NIC did not promote growth, feed utilisation and feed intake at the inclusion tested but induced a significantly upregulation of IL-8, IL-10 and TGFβ. GM analyzed by next-generation sequencing showed that OA and NIC were able to exert prebiotic properties stimulating the development of beneficial bacteria taxa such as Lactobacillus , Leuconostoc , and Bacillus sp. Picrust analyses displayed a significant potential functional reconfiguration of GM promoting a decrease in inflammation-promoting and homeostatic functions at increasing OA and NIC administration. For the first time on this species the exposure to suboptimal rearing conditions was able to modify GM structure reducing LAB and increasing Proteobacteria, findings which were consistent with the inflammatory process observed at mRNA level.

Bioactive compounds, such as organic acids (OA) and nature-identical compounds (NIC), can exert a role in the protection of intestinal mucosa functionality due to their biological properties. The aim of this study was to understand the role of 2 OA (citric and sorbic acid) and 2 NIC (thymol and vanillin), alone or combined in a blend (OA + NIC), on intestinal barrier functionality, either during homeostatic condition or during an inflammatory challenge performed with pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The study was performed on the human epithelial cell line Caco-2, a well-known model of the intestinal epithelial barrier. The results showed how OA and NIC alone can improve transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and mRNA levels of tight junction (TJ) components, but OA + NIC showed stronger efficacy compared to the single molecules. When an inflammatory challenge occurred, OA + NIC blend was able both to ameliorate, and prevent, damage caused by the pro-inflammatory stimulus, reducing or preventing the drop in TEER and improving the TJ mRNA expression. The data support the role of OA + NIC in modulating gut barrier functionality and reducing the negative effects of inflammation in intestinal epithelial cells, thereby supporting the gut barrier functionality.

Botanicals are mainly known for their role as antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories. Thus, the dual purpose of the study was to verify the antioxidant potential of the tested botanicals and to evaluate their possible modulation of intestinal barrier integrity. As the effects of various phenol-rich extracts were screened, the human Caco-2 cell line was determined to be most suitable for use as the in vitro model for the intestinal epithelium. The tested botanicals, all approved as feed additives, are ginger essential oil, tea tree oil, grape seed extract, green tea extract, olive extract, chestnut extract, pomegranate extract, thyme essential oil, and capsicum oleoresin. The cells were treated with incremental doses of each botanical, followed by measurements of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), gene expression of tight junctions (TJs), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The results showed how different phenol-rich botanicals could modulate barrier functions and oxidative stress in different ways. Interestingly, all the botanicals tested exerted an antioxidant potential by dropping the cytoplasmatic ROS, while the beneficial effect was exerted at different concentrations for each botanical. Our data support the role of plant extracts and essential oils in controlling gut barrier function and in reducing the negative effects of oxidative stress in intestinal epithelial cells, thereby supporting gut barrier functionality.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by the progressive degradation of articular cartilage, resulting in pain and reduced mobility. Turmeric ( L.) has been widely recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects remain inadequately explored. This study investigates the potential of turmeric oleoresin (TUR) to activate Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CBR2) and its role in mediating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in an OA model. Molecular docking and cAMP quantification assays were used to evaluate TUR's agonistic activity on CBR2. Human chondrosarcoma cells (SW-1353) were treated with TUR under oxidative stress induced by menadione or inflammatory conditions simulated with IL-1β and TNF-α. The effects of TUR were assessed in the presence and absence of the CBR2 antagonist SR144528. Outcomes included changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, inflammatory marker expression, oxidative defense markers and endocannabinoid system components and receptors. TUR was confirmed as a CBR2 agonist and significantly reduced ROS production, downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, COX-2, metalloproteases), and suppressed signaling pathways such as NFKB1, ERK 1/2, and c-Myc. These effects were reversed upon CBR2 inhibition. TUR also enhanced HMOX-1 expression and modulated endocannabinoid-related enzymes, highlighting its impact on oxidative stress and the endocannabinoid system. These findings suggest that CBR2 activation is central to TUR's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. By modulating key pathways and endocannabinoid system components, TUR demonstrates potential as a novel therapeutic agent for OA management. Future studies could explore its clinical applications and further validate its molecular mechanisms .

Animal performance is determined by the functionality and health of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Complex mechanisms and interactions are involved in the regulation of GIT functionality and health. The understanding of these relationships could be crucial for developing strategies to improve animal production yields. The concept of “gut health\" is not well defined, but this concept has begun to play a very important role in the field of animal science. However, a clear definition of GIT health and the means by which to measure it are lacking. In vitro and ex vivo models can facilitate these studies, creating well-controlled and repeatable conditions to understand how to improve animal gut health. Over the years, several models have been developed and used to study the beneficial or pathogenic relationships between the GIT and the external environment. This review aims to describe the most commonly used animals' in vitro or ex vivo models and techniques that are useful for better understanding the intestinal health of production animals, elucidating their benefits and limitations.

Thyme oil (TO) is emerging as a promising candidate to counteract antimicrobial resistance due to its renowned antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, rapid gastric absorption of its bioactive compounds limits its intestinal delivery, where its action is required, so the protection of these components is necessary. This pilot study optimized TO-loaded emulsions for targeted intestinal release. High-shear homogenization and membrane emulsification were compared to formulate single oil in water (O/W) and double water in oil in water (W/O/W) emulsions, screening emulsifiers (lecithin, Tween 20, Tween 80) and functional biopolymers (pectin, sodium alginate). High-shear homogenization with lecithin (0.5%), pectin (1.80%), and sodium alginate (0.2%) yielded stable submicron O/W emulsion (Span = 0.5; d(v,0.5) = 0.21 µm), achieving electrostatic stabilization (ζ-potential = −51.5 ± 1.5 mV) at a target poultry dosage. A pH-responsive behavior was observed: protective hydrogel formed in gastric conditions (d(v,0.5) = 2.64 µm) and maintained stability at intestinal pH (d(v,0.5) = 3.03 µm). Membrane emulsification enabled precise droplet control under mild conditions, producing monodisperse O/W emulsions (d(v,0.5) = 38–59 µm; Span ≤ 1.0) and W/O/W double emulsions (d(v,0.5) = 26.5 µm; Span = 0.6) with ultra-low interfacial tension (0.52 mN·m−1). Repeated membrane passes reduced droplet size to ~6.6 µm. These systems represent a foundational step toward bioactive intestinal delivery, providing a viable antibiotic-free strategy for sustainable livestock production.

Avian coccidiosis is a disease causing considerable economic losses in the poultry industry. It is caused by Eimeria spp., protozoan parasites characterized by an exogenous–endogenous lifecycle. In vitro research on these pathogens is very complicated and lacks standardization. This review provides a description of the main in vitro protocols so far assessed focusing on the exogenous phase, with oocyst viability and sporulation assays, and on the endogenous phase, with invasion and developmental assays in cell cultures and in ovo. An overview of these in vitro applications to screen both old and new remedies and to understand the relative mode of action is also discussed.

Coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria parasites, is a major threat to global poultry production, and increasing restrictions on conventional anticoccidial drugs highlight the need for safer, more sustainable alternatives. Progress has been hindered by the lack of rapid, sensitive, and animal-sparing in vitro assays for quantifying parasite replication and drug efficacy. This study reports the development of a novel bioluminescent platform for anticoccidial screening based on a genetically modified Eimeria tenella line expressing NanoLuc luciferase (EtNluc). Parasite-associated bioluminescence enabled rapid and quantitative monitoring of intracellular development, allowing the tracking of different replication phases through schizont formation and merozoite release. Time course analysis showed minimal changes in relative light units (RLU) between 2 and 24 hours post infection (hpi), followed by a marked increase between 24 and 72 hpi, consistent with parasite replication. Among the tested multiplicities of infection (MOI), 4:1 exhibited the fastest growth, described by a linear model (slope = 2908 RLU/h, R 2 = 0.84). A same-well repeated-measure analysis (2 and 72 hpi) confirmed the dose-dependent replication, with mean slopes of 2052.85, 765.07 and 523.63 RLU/h, respectively, supporting the selection of the MOI 4:1 for anticoccidial screening. These experimental conditions were used to evaluate the anticoccidial efficacy of commercial anticoccidial drugs (salinomycin and robenidine) and natural compounds (thyme and oregano essential oils, thymol, and carvacrol) under two experimental designs: short pre-incubation of sporozoites, and continuous exposure throughout intracellular development. Pre-incubation with commercial anticoccidials reduced invasion approximately to 65% for salinomycin and 44% for robenidine, whereas the essential oils and their bioactive constituents inhibited invasion by 30-55%, and reduced the replication slope to 33-60% of control values. Continuous exposure significantly impaired intracellular development for all treatments, reducing replication to 10-30% of controls, providing additional evidence that plant-derived compounds can complement commercial anticoccidials for integrated strategy for coccidiosis control in chickens. Overall, the EtNluc bioluminescent system provided a rapid, sensitive, and scalable method for quantifying E. tenella growth, suitable for in vitro anticoccidial screening, supporting the characterization of novel anticoccidial while reducing reliance on animal experimentation.