ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of tributyrin (TB) and coated sodium butyrate (CSB) on intestinal morphology, disaccharidase activity and intramuscular fat of broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 160 1-day-old healthy Cobb broilers were randomly allocated into four groups: (1) control; (2) LPS, in which broilers were fed a basal diet and intraperitoneally injected with 500 μg/kg LPS on days 38, 40 and 42; (3) TB, in which LPS-challenged broilers were fed basal diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg TB; and (4) CSB, in which LPS-challenged broilers were fed basal diet supplemented with 877 mg/kg CSB. Addition of TB and CSB inhibited (p<0.05) the decrease in villus height in the duodenum and ileum of LPS-challenged broilers, respectively. Both TB and CSB increased (p<0.05) activity of maltase in the small intestine, and TB increased (p<0.05) activity of isomaltase in the ileum. Additionally, dietary addition of TB and CSB decreased (p<0.05) the content of intramuscular fat. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of TB was more effective than CSB in improving intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activity of LPS-challenged broilers, and they both reduced intramuscular fat in the breast and legs.

We investigated the influence of apolipoprotein B gene (APOB) variants on the risk of hyperlipidemia (HL) in 631 middle-aged and elderly members of the Chinese Yugur population (HL, n=336; normolipidemia, n=295). APOB polymorphisms were identified using mass spectrometry, and five single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1042034, rs2163204, rs512535, rs676210, and rs679899) and serum lipids were further analyzed. rs1042034 and rs676210 were significantly associated with HL (P<0.05). Compared with the GG or AA genotype, individuals with AG and AG+AA in rs1042034 and with AG and AG+GG in rs676210 had a 1.67-fold (95%CI=1.20–2.33),1.63-fold (95%CI=1.19–2.24), 1.72-fold (95%CI=1.24–2.40), and 1.67-fold (95%CI=1.21–2.291) increased risk of high HL, respectively. rs2163204 was in strong linkage disequilibrium with rs1042034, rs676210, and rs679899, and strong disequilibrium was observed between rs1042034 and rs676210 (D′>0.9). Compared with the GTGAA haplotype, haplotypes ATGGA and ATAGG were more strongly associated with HL [odds ratio (OR)=1.46, 95%CI=0.02–2.11; OR=1.63, 95%CI=1.03–2.60, respectively]. The risk factors age (P=0.008), body mass index (P<0.0001), GA+GG genotype in rs676210 (P=0.009), and alcohol consumption (P=0.056) contributed strongly to HL development. The A allele of rs1042034 and the G allele of rs676210 may thus predispose middle-aged and elderly members of the Chinese Yugur population to HL in combination with other genetic or nutritional factors, and could be used as new genetic markers for HL screening.