AUTHOR=Chen Xing , Zhang Fan , Li Huirong , Liu Jie , Jiang Yanping , Ren Furong , Huang Libo , Yuan Xuejun , Li Yang , Yang Weiren , Yang Chongwu , Li Shuang , Jiao Ning , Jiang Shuzhen 

TITLE=The combination of macleaya extract and glucose oxidase improves the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune function and cecal microbiota of piglets

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1173494

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2023.1173494

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>This study aims to investigate the effects of macleaya extract and glucose oxidase combination (MGO) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune function, and cecal microbiota in piglets. A total of 120 healthy 28-day-old weaned piglets were randomly divided into two treatments of six replicates. Piglets were either received a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg MGO (2 g/kg sanguinarine, 1 g/kg chelerythrine, and 1 × 10<sup>6</sup> U/kg glucose oxidase). The results showed that MGO supplementation increased average daily gain (ADG) and decreased feed:gain ratio (F/G) (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). MGO increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) content (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), but decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) content (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). The jejunal mRNA expression of <italic>nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2</italic> (<italic>Nrf2</italic>), <italic>glutathione peroxidase 1</italic> (<italic>GPX1</italic>), and <italic>heme oxygenase 1</italic> (<italic>HO-1</italic>) were increased in MGO group (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), while that of <italic>kelch like ECH associated protein 1</italic> (<italic>Keap1</italic>) was decreased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). The Firmicutes was significantly increased at phylum levels in MGO group (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, 250 mg/kg MGO improved piglet growth, and regulated intestinal flora of piglets, which provided a theoretical basis for MGO as an alternative additive for antibiotics.</p>