Grape extract potential on intestinal health in pigs

Grapes are rich in phenolic compounds with many health-promoting properties for animals and humans. Grape seed extract, grape skin extract and their mixture belong to the registered feed additives in the EU. The aim is to give a brief overview of the most important findings from in vitro and in vivo studies and to emphasise the beneficial impact of grape phenols on intestinal health in pigs.

A total of 13 (2013-2023) studies were included in the analysis. In addition to the antioxidant, wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties, supplementation with GSP (Grape seed extract) also significantly reduced the incidence of diarrhoea in piglets. Studies in pigs showed that grape phenols have modulatory properties on the gut microflora by increasing the levels of beneficial bacteria and exhibiting antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic bacteria. They improve the morphology of the small intestinal mucosa, promote the growth of the small intestinal villi, and show promising properties regarding intestinal integrity and reduction of permeability, due to expression of genes encoding epidermal growth factor receptor, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and IGF-1 receptor in the duodenum, as well as an increased expression of TJ proteins. GSE has been also found to have dose-dependent positive and negative effects on the gut, although it is generally considered safe.

In conclusion supplementation with grape extracts showed potential for intestinal health in pigs and is recommended for further investigation in relation to specific intestinal disorders and under various challenging factors.

 

MissingLinkText

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
16. November 2023