Medium-chain fatty acids and their derivatives are natural ingredients that support immunological functions in animals. The effects of glycerol monolaurate (GML) on intestinal innate immunity and associated molecular mechanisms were investigated using a chicken embryo model. Sixty-four Arbor Acres broiler embryos were randomly allocated into four groups. On embryonic day 17.5, the broiler embryos were administered with 9mg of GML, which was followed by a 12-h incubation period and a 12-h challenge with 32μg of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). On embryonic day 18.5, the jejunum and ileum were harvested. Results indicated that GML reversed the LPS-induced decline in villus height and upregulated the expression of mucin 2 (P < 0.05). GML decreased LPS-induced malondialdehyde production and boosted antioxidant enzyme activity (P < 0.05). GML alleviated LPS-stimulated intestinal secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (P < 0.05). GML also normalized LPS-induced changes in the gene expression of Toll-like receptor 4, nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65), cyclooxygenase-2, NOD-like receptor protein 3, IL-18, zonula occludens 1, and occludin (P < 0.05). GML enhanced as well the expression of AMP-activated protein kinase α1 and claudin 1 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, GML improved intestinal morphology and antioxidant status by alleviating inflammatory responses and modulating NF-κB signaling in LPS-challenged broiler embryos.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |