Supranutrition of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Affects Intestinal Structure and Function of Broiler Chickens.

BACKGROUND

Impacts of supranutritions of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 on nutritional physiology of small intestines of chickens remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

The study was to determine effects of supranutrition of DHA, EPA, and vitamin D (VD) on molecular and biochemical responses of intestinal morphology and integrity, inflammatory and redox status, and nutrient transporters in broiler chickens.

METHODS

Day-old chicks (6 cages per diet, 6 chicks per cage) were fed the following: 1) corn and soybean meal basal diet (BD), 2) BD + DHA (1.5 g DHA/kg, DHA), 3) BD + DHA + EPA ( 0.3 g EPA/kg, DHA + EPA), 4) BD + DHA + VD (6000 IU/kg of diet, DHA + VD), or 5) BD + DHA + EPA + VD (DHA + EPA + VD) for 3 wk. Gut integrity and levels of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), protein, and/or activity of selected biomarkers of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were assessed after chicks were challenged with dextran sulfate sodium.

RESULTS

Compared with BD, DHA, DHA + EPA, and DHA + VD decreased (P < 0.05) gut penetration of administered fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (24%‒32%) following the dextran sulfate sodium challenge. These diets enhanced (P < 0.05) a tight junction protein, villus heights (8.9%‒18%), and mRNA concentrations of glucose and amino acid transporters (18%‒144%), but decreased mRNA, protein, and/or activity levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase-1 in the duodenum. DHA + EPA + VD produced extra inhibitions of inflammatory gene expression over the combinations of 2 nutrients.

CONCLUSIONS

Feeding chickens with 1.5 g of DHA, 0.3 g of EPA, and 6,000 IU of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 per kilogram diet exerted positive effects on intestinal morphology and integrity, inflammatory and redox status, and gene expression of glucose and amino acid transporters, but downregulated the redox systems. Our data reveal biosafety benefits and metabolic wellness in the intestines of chickens receiving the supranutrition of DHA, EPA, and VD for biofortifying their products.