Effects of Red Clover Isoflavones on Growth Performance, Immune Function, and Cecal Microflora of Mice
Isoflavone components extracted from red clover have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune boosting effects. We hypothesize that red clover isoflavones (RCIs) achieve health-promoting effects via altering the gut microbiota. A total of 48 mice (20 ± 2 g) were randomly divided into a control grou...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Rongrong Guo Xuqin Song Xiaodie Li Cheng Zeng Ying Chen Chunjie Li Jian Yang Deyuan Ou |
| author_facet | Rongrong Guo Xuqin Song Xiaodie Li Cheng Zeng Ying Chen Chunjie Li Jian Yang Deyuan Ou |
| author_sort | Rongrong Guo |
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| description | Isoflavone components extracted from red clover have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune boosting effects. We hypothesize that red clover isoflavones (RCIs) achieve health-promoting effects via altering the gut microbiota. A total of 48 mice (20 ± 2 g) were randomly divided into a control group, low-dose group (0.05% RCIs in feed), middle-dose group (0.1% RCIs in feed), and high-dose group (0.2% RCIs in feed) with 12 mice per group. The feeding period was 20 d. The results showed that RCIs can increase the daily gain and decrease the ratio of feed to gain in mice. The organ indexes and blood biochemical indexes of the mice in each RCI group were in the normal range, indicating that RCIs do not damage liver or kidney function. RCI supplementation increased serum immunity and altered the microbial community structure in the cecum of the mice. RCIs can increase the diversity of beneficial bacteria such as <i>Bacteroidaceae</i>, <i>Muribaculaceae</i>, and <i>Akkermansiaceae</i>, and reduced the pathogenic <i>Staphylococcaceae</i>. Therefore, supplementing the diet with RCIs results in improved growth performance and notable alterations in the cecal microbiota in mice, and has potential applications as a feed additive to improve livestock production. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-33d285c0b12744a490ec64a1404edcc72025-01-24T13:17:46ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-01-0115215010.3390/ani15020150Effects of Red Clover Isoflavones on Growth Performance, Immune Function, and Cecal Microflora of MiceRongrong Guo0Xuqin Song1Xiaodie Li2Cheng Zeng3Ying Chen4Chunjie Li5Jian Yang6Deyuan Ou7Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaLaboratory of Pulmonary and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, ChinaDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaIsoflavone components extracted from red clover have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune boosting effects. We hypothesize that red clover isoflavones (RCIs) achieve health-promoting effects via altering the gut microbiota. A total of 48 mice (20 ± 2 g) were randomly divided into a control group, low-dose group (0.05% RCIs in feed), middle-dose group (0.1% RCIs in feed), and high-dose group (0.2% RCIs in feed) with 12 mice per group. The feeding period was 20 d. The results showed that RCIs can increase the daily gain and decrease the ratio of feed to gain in mice. The organ indexes and blood biochemical indexes of the mice in each RCI group were in the normal range, indicating that RCIs do not damage liver or kidney function. RCI supplementation increased serum immunity and altered the microbial community structure in the cecum of the mice. RCIs can increase the diversity of beneficial bacteria such as <i>Bacteroidaceae</i>, <i>Muribaculaceae</i>, and <i>Akkermansiaceae</i>, and reduced the pathogenic <i>Staphylococcaceae</i>. Therefore, supplementing the diet with RCIs results in improved growth performance and notable alterations in the cecal microbiota in mice, and has potential applications as a feed additive to improve livestock production.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/150red clover isoflavonesgrowth promotionblood biochemistryimmune functioncecal microflora |
| spellingShingle | Rongrong Guo Xuqin Song Xiaodie Li Cheng Zeng Ying Chen Chunjie Li Jian Yang Deyuan Ou Effects of Red Clover Isoflavones on Growth Performance, Immune Function, and Cecal Microflora of Mice Animals red clover isoflavones growth promotion blood biochemistry immune function cecal microflora |
| title | Effects of Red Clover Isoflavones on Growth Performance, Immune Function, and Cecal Microflora of Mice |
| title_full | Effects of Red Clover Isoflavones on Growth Performance, Immune Function, and Cecal Microflora of Mice |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Red Clover Isoflavones on Growth Performance, Immune Function, and Cecal Microflora of Mice |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Red Clover Isoflavones on Growth Performance, Immune Function, and Cecal Microflora of Mice |
| title_short | Effects of Red Clover Isoflavones on Growth Performance, Immune Function, and Cecal Microflora of Mice |
| title_sort | effects of red clover isoflavones on growth performance immune function and cecal microflora of mice |
| topic | red clover isoflavones growth promotion blood biochemistry immune function cecal microflora |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/150 |
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