Impact of liposomal hesperetin in broilers: prospects for improving performance, antioxidant potential, immunity, and resistance against <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>

Abstract

Liposomal encapsulated phytogenics, such as liposomal hesperetin, are considered novel substitutes for antibiotics in the broiler industry owing to their improved nutritional and therapeutic properties. Therefore, our key goal was to investigate liposomal hesperetin impact on broiler growth performance, health, antioxidant status, tight junction proteins (TJP), and resistance against <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>. Four broiler groups were fed 0, 150, 250, or 400 mg/kg of liposomal hesperetin-supplemented diets and experimentally infected with <i>L. monocytogenes</i> strain. Herein, liposomal hesperetin, especially at higher concentrations, augmented broilers FCR with upregulation of genes encoding TJP (occludin, <i>JAM-2</i>, <i>MUC-2</i>), and antioxidant attributes (<i>GPX-1</i>, <i>SOD-1</i>, <i>CAT</i>, <i>HO-1</i>, <i>NQO1</i>, <i>COX2</i>), which reflect enhancing health and welfare of broilers. Muscle antioxidant biomarkers were enhanced; meanwhile, muscle MDA, ROS, and H₂O₂ levels were reduced in response to 400 mg/kg of liposomal hesperetin. Liposomal hesperetin fortification reduced <i>L. monocytogenes</i> loads and expression levels of its virulence-related genes (<i>flaA, hlyA,</i> and <i>ami</i>). Remarkably, histopathological alterations in intestinal and brain tissues of <i>L. monocytogenes</i>-infected broilers were restored post-inclusion at higher levels of liposomal hesperetin, which reflects increase of the birds' resistance to <i>L. monocytogenes</i> infection. Transcription levels of genes encoding cytokines/chemokines (<i>MyD88</i>, <i>AVBD6</i>, <i>CCL20</i>, <i>IL-1β</i>, <i>IL-18</i>), and autophagy (<i>Bcl-2</i>, <i>LC3</i>, <i>AMPK</i>, <i>AKT</i>, <i>CHOP</i>, <i>Bip</i>, <i>p62</i>, <i>XBP1</i>) were ameliorated following dietary liposomal hesperetin fortification, which suggests enhancement of the birds' immunity and health. Collectively, our research recommends liposomal hesperetin application in broiler diets owing to its promoting impact on growth performance, antioxidant status, immunity, health, and welfare besides its antibacterial, and antivirulence characteristics to fight against <i>L. monocytogenes</i>.