Taurine attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in broiler chickens

Inflammatory molecules are a part of the natural structure of many bacteria, with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) being particularly toxic. The LPS molecules are specific to the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. They are categorized as endotoxins because they are highly inflammatory and facilitate damage to the cells and tissues of other organisms.
In this recent Journal of Animal Science study, researchers evaluated whether the amino acid taurine could attenuate LPS-induced inflammation in broiler chickens. Chickens were fed either a control diet without taurine or an identical diet with taurine added in two differing quantities (5.0 and 7.5 g/kg). Bacteria LPS was administered to chickens via injection and sterile saline injection was used as a negative control.

Average daily gain (ADG) was universally decreased in chickens exposed to LPS and liver function tests indicated an inflammatory process. In chickens fed taurine, there was significant improvement in the ADG and liver function tests over the chickens that were not fed taurine. Further testing revealed that several inflammatory cytokines and indicators of hepatic oxidative stress were reduced in the LPS exposed chickens that consumed the taurine supplement.

Overall, the results of this study suggest feed supplementation with taurine attenuates LPS-induced inflammation in broiler chickens. Specifically, hepatic oxidative stress and cytokine-related inflammation were lessened. The results of this study are promising and may have broad applications to potentially mitigate production losses in the setting of inflammation or infectious disease. Larger studies that evaluate the benefits of taurine supplementation on chicken health is warranted.

The original article, Dietary taurine supplementation attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress of broiler chickens at an early age, is viewable in the Journal of Animal Science.