Assessment of the efficacy of a grape seed waste in counteracting the changes induced by aflatoxin B1 contaminated diet on performance, plasma, liver and intestinal tissues of pigs after weaning

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of a grape seed byproduct to mitigate the harmful damage produced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) at systemic level in plasma and liver as well as at local level in the gastrointestinal tract in weaned piglets. Twenty four crossbred pigs (TOPIG) were randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets: 1)- control diet (normal compound feed for starter piglets without mycotoxin), 2)- AFB1 diet (compound feed contaminated with 320 ppb pure AFB1), 3)- GS diet (compound feed including 8% of grape seed meal), 4)- AFB1 + GS diet (compound feed containing 8% of grape seed meal contaminated with 320 ppb AFB1) for 30 days. The results showed that pigs fed AFB1 diet had altered performance (-25.1%), increased the thiobarbituric substances (TBARS) concentration wile reduced total antioxidant capacity and activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD and GPx) in plasma and organs. AFB1 produced a dual effect on inflammatory response by increasing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in liver and colon and decreasing these cytokines in duodenum. The inclusion of grape seed in the diet of AFB1 intoxicated pigs enhanced the antioxidant enzymes activity, decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines and TBARS level and ameliorated the growth performance of AFB1-treated animals. These findings suggest that grape waste is a promising feed source in counteracting the harmful effect of aflatoxin B1.