Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide promotes broiler health by regulating lipid metabolism, antioxidants, and intestinal microflora.

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Citation abstract

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) are the primary bioactive macromolecular compounds of Ganoderma lucidum, possessing antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. Hot water extract of Juncao-substrate Ganoderma Lucidum residue (HWE-JGLR) is abundant in GLP. There are few research reports on the application of HWE-JGLR in animal husbandry. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of HWE-JGLR supplementation on growth performance, serum biochemistry, the antioxidant function of serum and liver, and the intestinal microbiota of yellow-feathered broilers. The control group was fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet, while the HJ I, II, and III groups received diets supplemented with 0.25 %, 0.5 %, and 1 % of HWE-JGLR, respectively. Results showed that HWE-JGLR increased the serum HDL-C content and decreased the TG content in broilers. Moreover, HWE-JGLR enhanced the antioxidant function by the Keap1-Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and the antioxidative enzyme in broilers. In addition, the cecum of the metagenomic analysis of 16S rRNA showed that the relative abundance of no-rank Ruminococcacea was increased in the HJ I group. Our findings indicate that HWE-JGLR has strong potential for development as a green feed additive based on its functions of lipid-lowering, antioxidation, and the modulation of gut microbiota composition.