AGPs enhance animal production by targeting bile salt

An American study published its findings on the growth-promoting effect of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) was correlated with the decreased activity of bile salt hydrolase (BSH), an intestinal bacteria-produced enzyme that exerts negative impact on host fat digestion and utilisation.

Consistent with this finding, independent chicken studies have demonstrated that AGP usage significantly reduced population of Lactobacillus species, the major BSH-producers in the intestine. Recent finding also demonstrated that some AGPs, such as tetracycline and roxarsone, display direct inhibitory effect on BSH activity. Therefore, BSH is a promising microbiome target for developing novel alternatives to AGPs. Specifically, dietary supplementation of BSH inhibitor may promote host lipid metabolism and energy harvest, consequently enhancing feed efficiency and body weight gain in food animals.

The study goes on to say that independent studies have shown the link between usage of AGPs and reduced BSH activity as well as reduced population of some Lactobacillus species, the major BSH-producers, in the intestine of food animals. In light of these findings, BSH enzyme is a promising microbiome target for developing novel alternatives to AGPs for enhancing the productivity and sustainability of food animals.

The full study can be found here.

Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information