Targeted jejunal gene expression analysis suggests that high legume inclusion in reduced-protein diets is associated with increased intestinal permeability and altered gut barrier and appetite-regulating genes in broiler chickens
- 1School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006 Australia
- 2Poultry Research Foundation, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570 Australia
- 3Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
Abstract
Background: This study evaluates whether partial or complete soybean meal (SBM) replacement with field peas and faba beans in reduced-protein diets fed to broiler chicken alters jejunal transcriptional markers of nutrient transporters, barrier integrity, immune responses, and gut-brain signalling. A total of 360 Ross 308 chicks were assigned to six dietary treatments (SBM control; field peas or faba beans at 17% or 25%; or a 1:1 blend at 12.5% + 12.5%), with 10 replicate cages per treatment. On day 24, birds were gavaged with fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-d) for permeability assessment and jejunal tissue samples were collected for gene expression analysis. Gene expression and FITC-d outcomes were analysed by ANCOVA using feed intake from day 10 to 24 as a covariate.
Results: Gene expression analysis showed that glucose transporter expression was unaffected by legume inclusion, with no differences detected in SGLT1, SGLT4, GLUT1, or GLUT5. In contrast, PepT1 and y+LAT1 were upregulated in SBM control birds (P < 0.05). Legume containing diets reduced claudin-3 and ZO-1, and dose-dependently decreased claudin-2, which was lowest in birds fed 25% faba beans (P < 0.01). Among immune and trophic markers, GLP-2 was downregulated in legume diets (P = 0.006) and MUC2 was upregulated (highest at 25% faba beans; P = 0.001), whereas IL-1β, IL-6, IFNγ, NF-κB, Nrf2, and CCK were unaffected. NPY and POMC were downregulated across all legume treatments (P < 0.01), while AGRP, MLN, MLNR, and PYY were not affected. Serum FITC-d concentration was higher in legume-fed birds than in the SBM control (P = 0.048). Feed intake was not a significant covariate for any response variable. Correlation analysis showed that jejunal expression of barrier, appetite, and nutrient transporter related genes was linked to broiler performance, with Claudin-1 and 2, NPY, and POMC associated with higher weight gain and better feed efficiency (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: These targeted gene expression analyses indicate that legume-based formulations in reduced-protein diets were associated with altered jejunal transcription and increased intestinal permeability. These responses likely reflect the combined influence of legume inclusion, associated changes in diet structure, and differences in growth performance.
Related
- Ginsenoside Rg1 reduces endothelial cell injury in transplant-associated thromboticmicroangiopathy by regulating the expression of HIF-1α
- Condensin upregulation induces intestinal stem cell senescence, driving cell death and increased intestinal permeability
- CFTR dysfunction in the intestinal epithelium is sufficient to promote pathogenic expansion of E. coli and enhanced barrier permeability in cystic fibrosis
- KARAP deficiency alleviates intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction by regulating mitochondrial homeostasis in macrophages.
- Mechanisms and Application of Bacteriophages in Regulating Intestinal Health of Livestock and Poultry.
BibTeX
@article{sadr2026targeted,
title = {{Targeted jejunal gene expression analysis suggests that high legume inclusion in reduced-protein diets is associated with increased intestinal permeability and altered gut barrier and appetite-regulating genes in broiler chickens}},
author = {Vahideh Shay Sadr and Mehdi Toghyani and Sonia Yun Liu and Reza Barekatain},
journal = {BMC Genomics},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12864-026-13238-0},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-026-13238-0},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Targeted jejunal gene expression analysis suggests that high legume inclusion in reduced-protein diets is associated with increased intestinal permeability and altered gut barrier and appetite-regulating genes in broiler chickens
AU - Vahideh Shay Sadr
AU - Mehdi Toghyani
AU - Sonia Yun Liu
AU - Reza Barekatain
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/31
JO - BMC Genomics
DO - 10.1186/s12864-026-13238-0
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-026-13238-0
AB - Background: This study evaluates whether partial or complete soybean meal (SBM) replacement with field peas and faba beans in reduced-protein diets fed to broiler chicken alters jejunal transcriptional markers of nutrient transporters, barrier integrity, immune responses, and gut-brain signalling. A total of 360 Ross 308 chicks were assigned to six dietary treatments (SBM control; field peas or faba beans at 17% or 25%; or a 1:1 blend at 12.5% + 12.5%), with 10 replicate cages per treatment. On day 24, birds were gavaged with fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-d) for permeability assessment and jejunal tissue samples were collected for gene expression analysis. Gene expression and FITC-d outcomes were analysed by ANCOVA using feed intake from day 10 to 24 as a covariate. Results: Gene expression analysis showed that glucose transporter expression was unaffected by legume inclusion, with no differences detected in SGLT1, SGLT4, GLUT1, or GLUT5. In contrast, PepT1 and y+LAT1 were upregulated in SBM control birds (P < 0.05). Legume containing diets reduced claudin-3 and ZO-1, and dose-dependently decreased claudin-2, which was lowest in birds fed 25% faba beans (P < 0.01). Among immune and trophic markers, GLP-2 was downregulated in legume diets (P = 0.006) and MUC2 was upregulated (highest at 25% faba beans; P = 0.001), whereas IL-1β, IL-6, IFNγ, NF-κB, Nrf2, and CCK were unaffected. NPY and POMC were downregulated across all legume treatments (P < 0.01), while AGRP, MLN, MLNR, and PYY were not affected. Serum FITC-d concentration was higher in legume-fed birds than in the SBM control (P = 0.048). Feed intake was not a significant covariate for any response variable. Correlation analysis showed that jejunal expression of barrier, appetite, and nutrient transporter related genes was linked to broiler performance, with Claudin-1 and 2, NPY, and POMC associated with higher weight gain and better feed efficiency (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These targeted gene expression analyses indicate that legume-based formulations in reduced-protein diets were associated with altered jejunal transcription and increased intestinal permeability. These responses likely reflect the combined influence of legume inclusion, associated changes in diet structure, and differences in growth performance.
SN - 1471-2164
ER -