beta-carotene and Enteritis

This study evaluated the preventive effect of the spontaneous oxidation of β-carotene (OxC-beta) in broiler chickens with necrotic enteritis by Clostridium perfringens taking into consideration various parameters including clinical signs, body weight, intestinal lesion severity, and bacterial enumeration. The mean body weight of the OxC-beta treatment groups increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to that of the C. perfringens challenge group. Intestinal lesion scores due to C. perfringens infection were significantly alleviated by OxC-beta treatment (P < 0.05), and the number of clostridial bacteria in intestine was reduced by OxC-beta in a dose-dependent manner. OxC-beta in feed contributes to the prevention of necrotic enteritis in commercial broiler chicken, and has a positive effect in improving productivity.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; beta Carotene; Chickens; Clostridium Infections; Clostridium perfringens; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Enteritis; Oxidation-Reduction; Polymers; Poultry Diseases; Provitamins

Reactive oxygen species mediate tissue injury in inflammatory bowel disease. Beta-carotene is known as a potent free radical quencher and antioxidant.. The authors evaluated the efficacy of prefeeding Dunaliella bardawil, rich in beta-carotene, to ameliorate acid-induced enteritis in a rat model.. Enteritis was induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats by injection of 2 mL acetic acid (0.67 mol/L) to a ligated duodenal loop following 10 weeks of feeding diets containing beta-carotene and compared with various controls. The effects of beta-carotene were evaluated by changes in myeloperoxidase activity, histology, and histomorphometry.. Feeding beta-carotene resulted in suppressed mucosal myeloperoxidase activity, both basal and that induced by acetic acid injection. Acetic acid treatment induced major histopathologic changes in the duodenal mucosa, including small, irregular, and distorted villi; damage to the epithelium; edema of the lamina propria; accumulation of inflammatory cells; and hemorrhage. Beta-carotene treatment prevented these acid-induced histopathologic changes, and this was confirmed by histomorphometry of the villi.. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of beta-carotene in a rat model as a prophylactic dietary measure in reducing the effects of acid-induced enteritis and raise the possibility that patients with Crohn's disease may benefit from the consumption of natural beta-carotene.

Topics: Acetic Acid; Animals; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Chlorophyta; Dietary Supplements; Duodenum; Enteritis; Female; Intestinal Mucosa; Liver; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Vitamin A