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Early‐weaning syndrome is harmful to animals because an effect on growth in the early‐stage of life generally determines the overall growth rate. Sophorolipid (SPL), a surface‐active glycolipid compound, has been shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity and stimulate cell proliferation. Thus, in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to evaluate the potential of SPL on the gut turnover after the wound. The in vitro experiment with HT‐29 cells showed the increased proliferation with increasing gene levels of collagenase‐1 and matrilysin‐1. Next, the 16‐day in vivo experiment was conducted with thirty rats (14‐day‐old), and the allocation was performed according to their body weight (BW) into three treatments: control diet (CON), 48 ppm of oxytetracycline‐supplemented diet (OTC) and 10 ppm of SPL‐supplemented diet (SPL). Dietary SPL accelerates the growth of rats in overall periods, and intestinal permeability was lower in SPL at day 16. Villus:crypt ratio and the goblet cell count were also higher in SPL than in CON at day 8. Caecal Streptococcus spp. were significantly reduced with dietary SPL and OTC at day 8 and 16, and total short‐chain fatty acid, acetate and butyrate levels were increased in the SPL at day 8. In conclusion, these data demonstrated that SPL could improve gut remodelling potential and modulate the gut environments, resulted in acceleration of post‐weaning growth. Therefore, SPL could have a potential as a feed additive aimed at promoting repair system after wound in animal's gut. Sophorolipid upregulated the wound healing process. Gut defence system was improved by dietary sophorolipid. Caecal populations of microflora and short‐chain fatty acid were modulated by oral sophorolipid intake.

Vitamin D supports musculoskeletal health, including bone mineral density and skeletal muscle function. Vitamin D₃ (VitD 3 , cholecalciferol) is an inactive form which requires two enzymatic hydroxylation steps, from VitD₃ to 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25OHD₃, calcifediol) in liver and then to active form 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1,25(OH) 2 D 3 , calcitriol) in kidney. Vitamin D status is determined by circulating 25OHD levels. Compared with VitD 3 , calcifediol bypasses the hepatic 25-hydroxylation step and is more hydrophilic, resulting in higher bioavailability and less sequestration in adipose tissue. Previous studies have linked both VitD₃ and 25OHD₃ to muscle mass, strength or atrophy markers, but their effects on skeletal muscle fiber-type composition remains unclear. We hypothesize that dietary 25OHD₃ versus VitD₃ differentially modulates skeletal muscle fiber composition during postnatal growth. Three-week-old male rats were fed a VitD₃–deficient diet for 4 weeks and then assigned for 4 weeks to diets that were deficient or replete with VitD₃ or 25OHD₃. Relative to VitD₃ repletion, 25OHD₃ repletion increased the proportion of slow-twitch type I fibers and decreased fast type IIb fibers in the bicep femoris , without altering muscle mass. This shift was accompanied by higher mitochondrial DNA copy number. Transcriptomic profiling indicated enrichment of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and calcium signaling pathways, including genes in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathways and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate kinase (IP3K). These data suggest that, following early-life vitamin D deficiency, dietary 25OHD₃ preferentially promotes slow-oxidative fiber transition compared with VitD₃, and is associated with transcriptional enrichment of ERK- and calcium-dependent signaling.

Background Gut is a crucial organ for the host’s defense system due to its filtering action of the intestinal membrane from hazardous foreign substances. One strategy to strengthen the gut epithelial barrier function is to upregulate beneficial microflora populations and their metabolites. Sophorolipid (SPL), which is a glycolipid bio-surfactant, could increase beneficial microflora and decrease pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, herein, we conducted an experiment with broiler chickens to investigate the fortifying effects of SPL on the host’s gut defense system by modulating the microbiota population. Methods A total of 540 1-day-old chicks (Ross 308) were used, and they were immediately allotted into three treatment groups (6 replications with 30 chicks/pen) according to their initial body weight. The dietary treatments consisted of CON (basal diet), BAM (10 mg/kg bambermycin), and SPL (10 mg/kg SPL). During the experiment, birds freely accessed feed and water, and body weight and feed intake were measured at the end of each phase. On d 35, birds (one bird/pen) were sacrificed to collect jejunum and cecum samples. Results Dietary SPL and BAM supplementation significantly accelerated birds’ growth and also significantly improved feed efficiency compared to CON. Intestinal microbial community was significantly separated by dietary SPL supplementation from that of CON, and dietary SPL supplementation significantly increased Lactobacillus spp. and Akkermansia muciniphila . Moreover, birds fed with dietary SPL also showed the highest concentration of cecal butyrate among all treatment groups. Gut morphological analysis showed that dietary SPL significantly increased villus height, ratio of villus height to crypt depth, goblet cell numbers, and the gene expression levels of claudin-1 and mucin 2. Additionally, dietary SPL significantly decreased the mRNA expression level of pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6, and increased that of anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10, compared to other treatments. Conclusions Dietary SPL increases the beneficial bacterial population and butyrate concentration, which leads to a strengthened gut barrier function. In addition, the intestinal inflammation was also downregulated by dietary SPL supplementation.

Background In animals, weaning stress is the first and most critical stress. Weaning can negatively affect the growth performance of animals physically, psychologically, and pathologically. Our previous studies on the HT-29 cell line and early-weaned rats demonstrated that adequate sophorolipid (SPL) supplementation in feed could enhance the mucin-producing and wound healing capacities of the gut defense system by modulating gut microbiota. Methods We conducted an experiment with one hundred forty 21-day-old early weaned piglets (L x Y x D). They were allocated into 4 treatment and 7 replications (4 pigs per pen) according to their initial body weight. Body weight and feed intake were measured biweekly during experimental period. After 6 weeks, 28 pigs were randomly selected and sacrificed to collect plasma, jejunum, and cecal content samples. Results Dietary SPL supplementation at 5 and 10 mg/kg quadratically increased the average daily gain during the experimental period in the treatment groups when compared with the control group. The albumin levels of piglets fed with the SPL supplemented diet were downregulated to the normal range. Moreover, in feed, SPL supplementation at 5 and 10 mg/kg improved jejunal histological indices and gene expression levels related to mucin secretion and local inflammation markers. Consistent with these results, adequate SPL supplementation (5 and 10 mg/kg) increased the population of Prevotella , a beneficial bacterium, and its short-chain fatty acid production in the ceca of piglets. Conclusions The occurrence of diarrhea after weaning in piglets could be reduced by feeding a 10 ppm of SPL supplemented diet which improves the gut defense system by improving the microbial population and enhancing mucin layer integrity.

Whey protein is a by-product of cheese and casein manufacturing processes. It contains highly bioactive molecules, such as epidermal growth factor, colony-stimulating factor, transforming growth factor-α and -β, insulin-like growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor. Effects of whey protein on immune responses after antigen (hemagglutinin peptide) injection were evaluated in rats. Experimental diets were formulated based on NIH-31M and supplemented with 1% amino acids mixture (CON) or 1% whey protein concentrate (WPC) to generate isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. Rats were fed the experimental diets for two weeks and then exposed to antigen two times (Days 0 and 14). Blood was collected on Days 0, 7, 14, and 21 for hematological analysis. The WPC group showed decreased IgA and cytotoxic T cells before the antigen injection (Day 0) but increased IgG, IL-2, and IL-4 after antigen injection due to increased B cells and T cells. Helper T cells were increased at Days 14 and 21, but cytotoxic T cells were not affected by WPC. WPC may activate adaptive immunity (IgG) against antigen by modulating helper T cells. Bioactive molecules might contribute to the immune-enhancing effects of whey protein concentrate.

Dietary fat and oil could aid in reaching the high-energy requirements of fast-growing birds; however, these inclusions could lead to nutrient waste. This is because young birds have limited lipid digestion due to the low secretion of lipase and bile salt. Sophorolipid (SPL), a glycolipid emulsifier with lower toxicity and higher biodegradability, can upregulate fat utilization by increasing digestibility. Accordingly, a five-week-long experiment was conducted with 720 one-day-old chicks (Ross 308) to investigate the effects of dietary SPL on growth, organ characteristics, and gut health. The allotment was partitioned into four treatment groups according to their body weight with six replications (30 chick/pen). The three treatment diets comprised a basal diet with a formulation that met the Ross 308 standard and 5, 10, and 15 ppm SPL in the basal diet. During the experiment, the birds had free access to feed, and body weight and feed intake were measured at the end of each phase. Chickens were put down at the end of the growing and finishing phases, and jejunum and cecal samples were obtained to investigate organ characteristics and gut environments. The data were analyzed using the generalized linear model procedures of SAS 9.4, and all data were assessed for linear, quadratic, and cubic effects of dietary SPL-supplemented dosages. Body weight was significantly increased with 10 ppm of SPL supplementation in the grower phase without affecting feed efficiency. The relative weights of the intestine and the bursa of Fabricius were quadratically decreased by SPL supplementation with a lower population of Streptococcus and higher propionate and butyrate concentrations. Additionally, the dietary SPL supplementation groups showed a significantly increased villus/crypt ratio with higher intestinal expression levels of fatty acid translocase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, and fatty acid transporter 4. Collectively, proper SPL supplementation in the chicken diet could improve growth performance by down-regulating immune modulation and up-regulating lipid digestion and absorption via modulation of gut microenvironments.

Sophorolipid (SPL) is a glycolipid bio-surfactant produced by Candida bombicola and displays antimicrobial activity and stimulates collagenesis with less toxic and more biodegradable than other surfactants. As its effect has not been demonstrated in weaning animal models, we conducted two experiments to investigate the effect of SPL on intestinal restoration. First, a wound healing assay using HT-29 cells was conducted to quantify migration capacity. Cells were seeded into 6-well plate and scratched. After 24- and 48-hour incubation, SPL increased migration of cells in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). It seemed that SPL had restorative effects on intestinal wounds. Afterwards, an in vivo experiment was conducted using thirty 2-week-old early-weaned rats, which were randomly allotted into three treatments (CON; NIH-31 diet, BAM; 32 ppm of bambermycin and SPL; 10 ppm of SPL). During 16 days of trial, rats fed ad libitum and body weights were measured every four days. Rat were sacrificed at days 8 and 16 to collect jejunum to investigate morphological changes and cecal contents to determine microbial population. The data were analyzed using ANOVA procedures of SAS 9.4. The means were compared by Duncan’s multi-range test at P < 0.05 level of significance. Rats in SPL were heavier than those in CON by 15.1 % at day 16. Jejunal villus height in SPL was highest among treatments at day 8, and it was also significantly lengthened in SPL than other treatments at day 16 (P < 0.05). Cecal populations of E. coli, Streptococcus spp. and Salmonella spp. were significantly reduced by 64.7 %, 67.2 % and 40.0 % in SPL, respectively, relative to CON at day 16 (P < 0.05). Collectively, SPL accelerated growth by improving intestinal restoration and modulating microbiota population. SPL might have a potential as a feed additive to reduce early-weaning stress of livestock animals.

ValiMP® is a mixture of phytochemical compounds containing manganese. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of ValiMP® on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and pork quality in growing-finishing pigs. The trial was conducted in a 2x3 factorial design with two levels of CP (LP, 15% or HP, 16%), and three types of supplements (Control; 10 ppm ractopamine; or 0.25% ValiMP®). Dietary treatments were: LC (Low CP+control), LR (Low CP+ractopamine), LV (Low CP+ValiMP®), HC (High CP+control), HR (High CP+ractopamine), HV (High CP+ValiMP®). A total of 144 growing pigs at 50 kg initial body weight (BW) were allotted and fed one of the experimental diets for 70 days. But ractopamine in LR and HR treatments was supplemented during the last 35 days. BW and feed intake were measured weekly, and pork quality was determined in longissimus dorsi muscle. All values were statistically analyzed using ANOVA procedure of SAS 9.4 software and differences at P < 0.05 level were considered significantly different. Results showed dietary ractopamine or ValiMP® supplementation numerically promoted growth performance compared to control in HP treatments, although the extent was lesser in ValiMP® treatment. Ractopamine or ValiMP® also improved carcass composition in HP compared to LP. Lean percentage in HR was higher than in LR by 4.3%, and it was greater in HV than in LV by 5.9%, (P < 0.05). These changes occurred at the expense of fat percentage (P < 0.05). Among pork quality criteria, water-holding capacity determined by filter-paper fluid uptake method was significantly lower in HV than those in HC and HR (P < 0.05). Warner-Bratzler shear force, an indicative for meat tenderness, exhibited lower values in HV and HC than that in HR (P < 0.05). Overall, our results suggest ValiMP® improves growth performance and carcass composition with lesser extent to ractopamine, and pork quality more than ractopamine.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has garnered special attention as a food bioactive compound that prevents and attenuates obesity. Although most studies on the effects of CLA on obesity have focused on the reduction of body fat, a number of studies have demonstrated that CLA also increases lean body mass and enhances physical performances. It has been suggested that these effects may be due in part to physiological changes in the skeletal muscle, such as changes in the muscle fiber type transformation, alteration of the intracellular signaling pathways in muscle metabolism, or energy metabolism. However, the mode of action for CLA in muscle metabolism is not completely understood. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of the effects of CLA on skeletal muscle metabolism. Given that CLA not only reduces body fat, but also improves lean mass, there is great potential for the use of CLA to improve muscle metabolism, which would have a significant health impact.