Hesperidin Helps Improve the Intestinal Structure, Maintain Barrier Function, and Reduce Inflammation in Yellow-Feathered Broilers Exposed to High Temperatures

Simple Summary This study aimed to elucidate the protective effects of hesperidin on intestinal damage induced by high-temperature heat stress in yellow-feathered broilers. The findings indicate that dietary supplementation with hesperidin significantly attenuated serum corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels elevated by heat stress. Specifically, supplementation with 300 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg of hesperidin was associated with enhanced intestinal morphology, reduced endotoxin and D-lactic acid levels, and the upregulated expression of tight junction proteins in the small intestine. Hesperidin supplementation was observed to decrease pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and NF-kappa B mRNA expression. These results indicate that hesperidin may serve as a viable intervention to mitigate intestinal damage induced by heat stress in broilers, thereby providing novel insights for enhancing broiler health and welfare.Abstract To investigate the possible protective effect of hesperidin on intestinal damage caused by high-temperature heat stress in yellow-feathered broilers, 960 broilers aged 21 days were randomly divided into four groups: HT, HT300, HT450, and HT600, with each group receiving different amounts of hesperidin supplementation (0, 300, 450, and 600 mg/kg). The dietary supplementation of hesperidin could mitigate the elevation of corticosterone (CORT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ATCH) levels in serum from yellow-feathered broilers induced by heat stress. The supplementation of 300 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg of hesperidin reduced crypt depth and increased the V/C ratio in the small intestine compared to the HT group. The dietary supplementation of hesperidin decreased endotoxin and D-lactic acid levels in the blood, and dietary supplementation of 300 mg/kg of hesperidin increased the expression of claudin-1 and ZO-1 mRNA in the jejunum compared with the HT group. Furthermore, the dietary supplementation of 300 mg/kg of hesperidin decreased serum IL-1 beta and IL-6 levels. In comparison, supplementation with 300 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg of hesperidin decreased serum TNF-alpha levels in yellow-feathered broilers compared to the HT group. Moreover, the dietary supplementation of hesperidin decreased NF-kappa B mRNA levels. Overall, these data suggest that dietary supplementation with hesperidin potentially improves intestinal injury caused by heat stress in yellow-feathered broilers.