Dietary addition of Humulus scandens improved the intestinal barrier in rabbits

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Humulus scandens (HS) in diet on the production performance and intestinal barrier of rabbits. One hundred and sixty Laiwu black rabbits at 35 days of age with body weight of 692.5 +/- 48.3 g were divided into four groups (five replicates per group and eight rabbits per replicate): fed on a basal diet free of HS (control), 4%, 8% or 12% HS powder supplement. The results showed that the dietary addition of HS decreased the ADFI, F/G, diarrhoea ratio and mortality ratio. Besides, the final body weight and ADG (P < .05) increased with the level of HS. Rabbits in 12% HS group had a higher sIgA and IgG concentration in serum and ileum than control, while lower TNF alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-6 concentration (P < .05). Compared with the control, the HS supplementation groups for 12% level could decrease the mRNA expression of ZO-1, JAM3 and mucin1 (P < .05). In conclusion, dietary supplement of HS modulates immune responses and enhances intestinal barrier, meanwhile inhibits the synthesis of cytokine. Besides, our experiment offers positive evidence in improving rabbit health of HS as rabbit feed resource.