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In this study, the effects of isoquinoline alkaloids (IQs) on various parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were investigated. Three different treatments were administered to 300 sub-adult trouts, with four replicates each. The Control group received a basal diet, while the other two groups were fed diets supplemented with an IQs preparation (Sangrovit® Feed Aqua) at 500 and 1000 g/t of feed, respectively. The results demonstrated that the Sang1000 group exhibited significantly higher body weight (BW) and specific growth rate (SGR), but lower feed conversion rate (FCR) and mortality compared to the other groups (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the oxidative status assessment revealed that IQs positively influenced the oxidative status of the fillet but did not impact the oxidative profile of the blood serum. Additionally, the histomorphometry analysis of the intestine and skin indicated that the Sang1000 group had the highest number of goblet cells per villi in the anterior intestine, along with the largest mucoid cell size. Also, gene expression analysis indicated that IQs positively supported growth in trouts. To summarize, the supplementation of fish diets with IQs resulted in improved growth performance, reduced oxidative stress in fillet, and enhanced intestinal histomorphometry in rainbow trouts.

ABSTRACT: Extensive mechanistic evidence to support the beneficial function of dietary phytobiotic applications for broiler performance, gut function and health is highly warranted. In particular, for isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) the underlying mechanisms related to critical gut homeostasis components such as cytoprotection and gut barrier are scarce, especially for young broilers at the starter growth stage (d1–10). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a standardized blend of IQs on the relative gene expression of critical biomarkers relevant for antioxidant response and barrier function along the intestine of young broilers at the end of starter growth phase. For this purpose, 182 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were allocated in 2 treatments with 7 replicates of 13 broilers each: control diet-no other additions (NC), and control diet containing a standardized blend of IQs at 200 mg/kg of diet (M) for the starter growth period (1–10d). The results revealed that the IQs blend significantly upregulated (P < 0.05) the expression of genes related to antioxidant response in all intestinal segments. Moreover, the IQs blend enhanced (P < 0.05) gut barrier components primarily at duodenal level. In conclusion, the blend of IQs beneficially affected critical pathway components relevant for the gut antioxidant capacity and barrier along the intestine of young broilers.

Broiler chickens reared under heat stress (HS) conditions have decreased growth performance and show metabolic and immunologic alterations. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with a standardized blend of plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) on the growth performance, protein catabolism, intestinal barrier function, and inflammatory status of HS-treated chickens. Three hundred sixty 0-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were randomly distributed into 2 treatment groups: control diet (no additives) or diet supplemented with 100 ppm IQ. At day 14, the chicks in each diet group were further divided into 2 groups, each of which was reared under thermoneutral (TN) (22.4°C) or constant HS (33.0°C) conditions until day 42. Each group consisted of 6 replicates with 15 birds per replicate, and chickens were provided ad libitum access to water and feed. During days 15–21, the body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were significantly lower in the HS treatment group than in the TN group, and feed conversion ratio was higher (P