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Modulating effects of Phellinus linteus polysaccharides on antioxidant capacity, immune function, intestinal function and microbiota in lipopolysaccharide-challenged broilers

Summary

Researchers studied how a medicinal mushroom extract called Phellinus linteus polysaccharides could help broiler chickens recover from immune stress caused by bacterial toxins. The supplement improved the chickens’ growth, reduced harmful inflammatory responses, and promoted beneficial gut bacteria while reducing harmful ones. The treatment strengthened the intestinal barrier and restored the chickens’ natural antioxidant defenses. This suggests the mushroom supplement could be a natural alternative to antibiotics for improving poultry health on farms.

Background

Phellinus linteus polysaccharides (PLP) have demonstrated beneficial effects on gut function and microbiota in animals. Poultry are highly susceptible to bacterial infections and toxins that impair growth performance and damage intestinal integrity. Natural immunomodulators like plant polysaccharides have emerged as alternatives to antibiotics in poultry feed.

Objective

This study examined the effects of PLP supplementation on growth performance, immune function, intestinal barrier function, and intestinal microbial community composition in broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The research aimed to investigate the protective mechanisms of PLP against LPS-induced stress in early-stage broiler chickens.

Results

PLP supplementation mitigated LPS-induced decreases in average daily gain and feed intake, reduced oxidative stress markers, and enhanced antioxidant capacity. PLP increased duodenal villus height, reduced crypt depth, and upregulated expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin. Microbiota analysis revealed PLP increased the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and enriched beneficial genera including Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus, and Ligilactobacillus while reducing pathogenic Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella.

Conclusion

Dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg PLP enhances growth performance, immune function, and antioxidant capabilities in LPS-challenged broilers. These improvements are attributed to modulation of gut microbiota composition, enhancement of intestinal barrier integrity, and reduction of inflammatory responses. PLP demonstrates potential as a natural immunomodulator for improving poultry health under disease challenge conditions.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Animal Study,
  • Source: PMC12150300, PMID: 40497052
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