AbstractDue to the legislation of antibiotic usage, natural substances are
required for application in the poultry industry. Because of their potential
anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, carotenoids are great sources.
Capsanthin, a major carotenoid giving the red color of pepper, is a promising
feed additive, as it can reduce chronic inflammation. This study was conducted
to determine the effects of capsanthin supplementation at 80 mg kg-1in feed on the immune response of broiler chickens underEscherichia coliO55:B5 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge.
Ross 308 male broilers were divided into treatments: control (basal diet) and
feed-supplemented groups. At 42 d of age, chickens were weighed and then
challenged with 1 mg LPS per kilogram of body weight intraperitoneally. Four
hours after injection, birds were euthanized, and then spleen and blood samples
were collected. Capsanthin supplement at 80 mg kg-1did not change the growth parameters and the relative spleen
weight. LPS immunization resulted in higher splenic interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interferon-γ(IFN-γ) mRNA expressions. Capsanthin addition reached lower gene
expression levels of IL-6 and IFN-γcompared to the LPS-injected birds. At plasma level, dietary
capsanthin resulted in lower IL-1βand IL-6 levels. These results may indicate the potential
anti-inflammatory effect of capsanthin supplementation in broiler chickens.