ISSUE FOCUS 36 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE June 2022 which leads to translocation of NRF2 to the nucleus, which in turn increases the transcription of cytoprotective and antioxidative genes. This also leads to activating antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione and catalase. OPTIMIZING NRF2-KEAP ACTIVITY IN FARM ANIMALS A better understanding of the biological function, activation and regulation of NRF2-KEAP1 will help find ways of optimizing its activity for increased resilience in farm animals. Insights from in vitro studies carried out on hyperthermia treated bovine mammary epithelial cells demonstrated that the activation of NRF2 leading to upregulation of expression of downstream genes was associated in attenuating heat shock-induced cell damage. To date it has been established that certain molecules including phytochemicals can activate NRF2. However, scientists also warn of arbitrarily activating the NRF2-KEAP1 pathway and call for more research into optimizing and properly timing interventions to the activity of NRF2. Peer reviewed exploratory research carried out to investigate the effect of a gut agility activator, based on bioactive substances derived from herbs and spices combined with functional carriers, showed that it increased the expression of critical genes of the NRF2-KEAP1 pathway in the gut of broilers. This coincided with increased levels of total antioxidant capacity in breast meat and in organs key to sustaining high productivity (e.g., gut, liver) in broilers. The study also highlighted the importance of evaluating different application levels, as the effects were dependent on inclusion levels. CONCLUSION The above insights suggest that nutritional technological advances involving phytogenic molecules, such as gut agility activators, could potentially play a supportive function in enhancing resilience of poultry. Further research is required under temperatures above the thermal comfort zone and to confirm the positive impact on recognized resilience performance indicators. References 1. Mountzouris, K.C., Paraskeuas, V.V., Fegeros, K. (2020). Priming of intestinal cytoprotective genes and antioxidant capacity by dietary phytogenic inclusion in broilers, Animal Nutrition, Vol 6(3), pp. 305-312 2. Stenvinkel, P., Meyer, C.J., Block, G.A., Chertow, G.M. and Shiels, P.G. (2020). Understanding the role of the cytoprotective transcription factor nuclear factor
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