Ursolic acid improves growth performance, intestinal health, and antioxidant status in broilers by regulating lipid metabolism and the KEAP1-NRF2 pathway

IF 2.9 2区农林科学 Q1 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Journal of animal science Pub Date : 2025-09-29 DOI:10.1093/jas/skaf333

Man Zhao, Fengyang Wu, Chong Li, Linna Guo, Baojiang Chen, Fengxia Wang, Shudong Liu, Shuaijuan Han

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

In response to the urgent need for alternatives to antibiotics in poultry production, this study evaluated the effects of ursolic acid (UA), a plant-derived triterpenoid, on growth performance, metabolism, intestinal function, and antioxidant capacity in broilers. A total of 320 Cobb broilers were randomly divided into four groups: a control group and three groups supplemented with UA at 0, 50, 200, or 400 mg/kg of diet, with 8 replicates of 10 birds each, over a 42-day period. Body weight and feed intake were measured on days 21 and 42. On day 42, samples were collected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), untargeted metabolomics, hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining, meat quality assessment, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS, and orthogonal contrasts were used to assess linear and quadratic responses to UA. The results showed that UA supplementation significantly enhanced growth and slaughter performance (P < 0.05), increased serum total protein (P < 0.05), and reduced serum triglycerides (P < 0.05). Untargeted metabolomics indicated that 200 mg/kg UA modulated lipid metabolism via α-linolenic acid and glycerophospholipid pathways. Additionally, this dose significantly improved the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) and ileal protease activity (P < 0.05). Both 200 and 400 mg/kg UA reduced the b45min value of breast muscle (P < 0.05). Furthermore, UA supplementation elevated antioxidant enzyme activities in serum and ileum (P < 0.05). At the molecular level, 200 mg/kg UA upregulated expression of amino acid and fatty acid transporter genes, downregulated kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) (P < 0.05), and enhanced expression of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2), and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, UA effectively improved growth performance, metabolic health, intestinal function, and antioxidant capacity in broilers, demonstrating its potential as a safe and effective alternative to conventional growth promoters in poultry production.

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熊果酸通过调节脂质代谢和KEAP1-NRF2通路改善肉鸡生长性能、肠道健康和抗氧化状态

为响应家禽生产中对抗生素替代品的迫切需求，本研究评估了熊果酸（UA）（一种植物源性三萜）对肉鸡生长性能、代谢、肠道功能和抗氧化能力的影响。试验选用320只科布肉仔鸡，随机分为4组：对照组和在饲粮中分别添加0、50、200、400 mg/kg UA的3组，每组8个重复，每个重复10只鸡，试验期42 d。第21天和第42天分别测定体质量和采食量。第42天，收集样品进行酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）、非靶向代谢组学、苏木精-伊红（H&；E）染色、肉质评估和实时荧光定量PCR （qRT-PCR）分析。数据分析采用SPSS的单因素方差分析（ANOVA），并采用正交对比评估对UA的线性和二次响应。结果表明：饲粮中添加UA可显著提高生长性能和屠宰性能（P < 0.05），提高血清总蛋白（P < 0.05），降低血清甘油三酯（P < 0.05）。非靶向代谢组学表明，200 mg/kg UA通过α-亚麻酸和甘油磷脂途径调节脂质代谢。此外，该剂量显著提高了绒毛高度与隐窝深度比（VH/CD）和回肠蛋白酶活性（P < 0.05）。200和400 mg/kg UA均降低了胸肌b45min值（P < 0.05）。此外，添加UA可提高血清和回肠抗氧化酶活性（P < 0.05）。在分子水平上，200 mg/kg UA上调氨基酸和脂肪酸转运蛋白基因的表达，下调kelch样ech相关蛋白1 （KEAP1）的表达（P < 0.05），增强过氧化氢酶（CAT）、超氧化物歧化酶1 （SOD1）、核因子e2相关因子2 （NRF2）和NAD(P)H：醌氧化还原酶（NQO1）的表达（P < 0.05）。综上所述，UA可有效改善肉仔鸡的生长性能、代谢健康、肠道功能和抗氧化能力，显示了其作为传统生长促进剂的安全有效替代品的潜力。

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来源期刊

Journal of animal science 农林科学-奶制品与动物科学

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

12.10%

发文量

1589

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of Animal Science (JAS) is the premier journal for animal science and serves as the leading source of new knowledge and perspective in this area. JAS publishes more than 500 fully reviewed research articles, invited reviews, technical notes, and letters to the editor each year. Articles published in JAS encompass a broad range of research topics in animal production and fundamental aspects of genetics, nutrition, physiology, and preparation and utilization of animal products. Articles typically report research with beef cattle, companion animals, goats, horses, pigs, and sheep; however, studies involving other farm animals, aquatic and wildlife species, and laboratory animal species that address fundamental questions related to livestock and companion animal biology will be considered for publication.