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. 2020 Feb 20;64(1):3110.
doi: 10.4081/ejh.2020.3110.

Immuno- and glyco-histochemistry as a tool to evaluate the oregano supplemented feed effects in pig gut

Cecilia Dall'Aglio  1 , Francesca Mercati, Valerio Faeti, Gabriele Acuti, Massimo Trabalza Marinucci, Elena De Felice, Federico Maria Tardella, Maria Pia Franciosini, Patrizia Casagrande Proietti, Daniele Catorci, Paolo Stacchini, Augusto Pastorelli, Paola Scocco
Affiliations

Immuno- and glyco-histochemistry as a tool to evaluate the oregano supplemented feed effects in pig gut

Cecilia Dall'Aglio et al. Eur J Histochem. .

Abstract

Among oregano properties, its antioxidant and antibacterial effects are particularly interesting. Oregano is also able to induce a higher glycoconjugate production in gut, creating a physical barrier against microorganisms. This study evaluated the effects of adding an aqueous extract of oregano (OAE) to the diet of two homogenous groups of pigs during the finisher phase. The diets were as follows: control commercial diet (CTR group) and CTR diet supplemented (2 g/kg) with OAE (O group). Samples of ileum and caecum from the two groups were examined by conventional histochemistry to analyze complex carbohydrates and by immunohistochemistry to detect Bcl-2 Associate X protein (BAX), an indicator of oxidative stress. Glyco-histochemistry showed significant differences between the two groups. Immunohistochemistry revealed a lower presence of BAX in O group. The OAE supplementation improved the production of glycoconjugates, able to enhance in pig the protection of intestinal mucosa by means of direct and indirect defense actions. The reduced BAX immunostaining observed in O group may be an indicator of enhanced antioxidant action promoted by oregano. The results of this study can be used in further research to identify ways to improve endogenous defence ability, with the aim of reducing antibiotic use and preventing antimicrobial resistance.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests, and all authors confirm accuracy.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Swine ileum (a, b) and caecum (c, d) derived from the different experimental groups. Images show AB strong reactivity of goblet cells pertaining to ileum intestinal crypts respectively in CTR (a) and O group (b). Sial-AB treatment produced differentiated effects in goblet cell reactivity less decreased in CTR (a, inset) than in the O group (b, inset). The O group caecum intestinal glands showed AB strong positivity (c) that was reduced by sialidase digestion (d) at lower crypt level.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
BAX immunohistochemistry in swine gut. DAB staining is showed in the lamina propria intestinal glands of the ileum (a,b) and caecum (c,d). Immunostaining is stronger in the CTR group (a,c) than the O group (b,d).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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