Algae Explored as a Gut Health Protectant
Modern food animal production, regardless of species, relies on the functional activity of the gut.
When the gut barrier is breached and immune function compromised, a higher incidence of digestive problems associated with dysbiosis occurs. This imbalance triggers a cascade of subsequent setbacks, including local and systemic inflammation; an opportunistic setting for secondary health challenges to occur; and impaired growth and production performance of animals.
Thus, solutions are sought to support the intestinal mucosal barrier function in animals, and protect gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) to maintain animal health and performance. Increasingly, there is a strong desire globally to protect these animal functions without the use of antibiotics.
That has been the motivation for French researchers to explore the protective and antimicrobial properties of seaweed as an additive in food animal diets. Specifically, they have focused on potential for improvement in gut barrier function conferred by the sulphated polysaccharides in sea water macroalgae.
In a recently published summary in All About Feed, in-depth studies evaluating the potential merits of both green and red algae extract in animal rations. Highlights included:
- Green algae extract was found to have anti-inflammatory properties, while positively influencing the gene transcription of a broad array of immune mediators involved in defense mechanisms with the innate and adaptive immune response.
- In vivo scientific studies further confirmed the immunomodulating properties of green algae extract, specifically by improving the defense activities of monocytes and heterophils, and by promoting the transfer of lactogenic immunity via colostrum and milk.
- In a separate study evaluating intestinal barrier function using in vitro models, red algae extract was shown to upregulate the gene expression of transmembrane and scaffolding proteins, which are essential for maintaining multiprotein junctional complexes is the digestive mucosa.
- Red algae also are known to upregulate mucin-targeted genes that have important tasks in the regulation of epithelial cell differentiation; the establishment of the mucous layer; and the prevention of pathogen colonization.
Gut mucosa integrity was improved, and the mucus layer shown to be more functional with red algae’s positive influence on tight junctions in the mucosa. This more robust mucosal structure could promote reduced gut permeability.
The French researchers concluded that supplementing stressed animals with red algae extract significantly reinforced intestinal barrier function, which is the frontline of the innate defense against pathogens and toxins.
