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Effect of plant‐based polyunsaturated fatty acids on characteristics of fatty liver disease in laying hens (829.27)
Author(s) -
Cain James,
Hales Dale,
Small Carrie,
Banz William,
Davis Jeremy
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.829.27
Subject(s) - polyunsaturated fatty acid , fatty liver , steatosis , fatty acid , food science , liver disease , biology , chemistry , disease , medicine , endocrinology , biochemistry
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) are common problems related to human and poultry health. Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) are known to modify liver disease development and progression. Flaxseed is the most commonly consumed plant‐based source of n‐3 PUFA, but it remains unclear how different components of the flaxseed food matrix affects characteristics of liver disease. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding different plant‐based sources of PUFA on the development of liver disease in laying hens. Leghorn laying hens aged 1 yr were provided high‐fat (23 en%) diets supplemented with differing sources of fatty acids‐‐corn (CORN), soybean (SOY), and flaxseed (FXO) oils. Defatted (DFM) and whole flaxseed (WFX) meal were provided to additional groups in order to elucidate the components of the flaxseed whole food matrix account for different outcomes. Plasma and tissues were collected and analyzed for metabolic and morphologic parameters, histological grading, and fatty acid profiles. Results indicate WFX supplementation was associated with decreased body weight (p< 0.05) compared to all other groups. All treatment groups displayed significant steatosis, with WFX showing reduced severity compared to CORN, SOY, and DFM (p< 0.05). No treatment consistently resulted in advanced liver disease characterized by hepatocellular injury or inflammation. Taken together, our data suggest flaxseed based diets modestly ameliorate characteristics of fatty liver disease in lay hens, and that flaxseed is most effective when consumed as part of its whole food matrix.