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Background: The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays a significant role in the development of the mammary gland, as it is related to the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), which regulates several cellular processes. Hence, its overexpression may lead to pathological processes in the animals, and affect their health and production. Materials and methods: The 3-methyl luteoline, kaempferol, resveratrol, myricetin, and quercetin flavonoid molecules were studied. Modelling relied on the AHR:ARNT structures obtained from Swiss Model software, for coupling program MOE 2019.01, and to determine the protein-protein interactions (PPI). The Cocomaps (bioComplexes Contact MAPS) servers, and Robetta and Rosetta Backruband were used for determining the mutations of alanine. Results: The flavonoids studied associated with contact interfaces at the bHLH, PAS-A domain level and the bHLH/PAS-A and PAS-A/PAS-B of AHR interfaces, and they can undergo an antagonistic behavior due to the interactions at the contact surface level to block or modulate the protein-protein interactions between AHR and ARNT. Conclusions: The five flavonoids can interact at different AHR superficial interfaces to modulate the formation of the functional heterodimer, acting as antagonist agents. The order of occurrence probability of these actions is higher with 3-methyl luteoline, kaempferol, resveratrol, and lower with myricetin, and quercetin. Feed supplementation using foliage rich in these flavonoids might improve animal health and production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: the presence of an ever-growing number of gastrointestinal pathogens is causing economic losses to the swine industry. The prophylactic and therapeutic uses of antibiotics is not the solution. Aim. To analyze the interactions between the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and the microbiota (enhanced through probiotic use), which have improved the health and production indicators of pigs (piglets and pre-fattening). Development: Enteropathies (colibacillosis and salmonellosis) are a significant and frequent cause of mortality of piglets and pre-fattening pigs in intensive breeding systems. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a transcription factor (liganddependent) which is widely expressed in immune, epithelial, endothelial, stromal cells, and tissue. It regulates the microbe-host symbiosis by ligand activation in the diet. The AHR-IL-22 axis (arylhydrocarbon receptor-inteleukin-22 axis) in the intestine plays an important role in the defense of the host against microbial pathogens, while providing resistance to these diseases. Conclusions: the AHR receptors are important in the restoration of damage possibly caused by pathogens or an inappropriate diet in postweaning pigs, by re-establishing and creating stability in the intestinal microbiota; the utilization of probiotics, may lead to favorable responses of the production and health indicators of piglets and pre-fattening pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human and animal health are closely related. A lot of foods and feeds may contain toxic substances, and though most chemicals have a safe use range, they can be harmful when consumed in high doses. Aim. To remark the importance of environmental control to minimize the risk of poisoning by dioxin and dioxin-like substances in the production of feeds for farm animals, and foods for humans. Development: Dioxins and PCB dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins or PCDD comprise 75 dioxin-like substances), furans (polychlorinated dibenzo-furans comprising 135 furan-like compounds). Only a few substances from each group are toxic. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), also known as dioxin receptor, is present in numerous animal species, activating gene expression in a ligand-dependent manner. The ligand prototype 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), is an archetype dioxin known to be one of the most powerful dioxin-like substances. The presence of dioxins in animal tissue depends on feeding, at certain levels it may cause cancer, disorders of the immune and the nervous systems, liver lesions, and sterility. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the importance of environmental control to minimize the risk of poisoning by dioxins and dioxin-like substances in the production of feeds. The personnel in charge of animal production should know more about these compounds and collaborate in identifying the possible dangers and risk levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]