Since 2016 our research group focuses on gut health evaluation in farm animals and companion animals. The gut is the most important organ in body, which directly influence on health, productive and reproductive performances and farm economic viability. Gut health relies on the maintenance of the delicate balance between the host, gut environment and dietary compounds. Our Pathology team conducted and still ongoing many zootechnical and nutritional trials on different animal species (pigs, ruminants, horses, rabbits, poultry, fish, dogs). We are also collaborating with the Animal Nutrition sector, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Torino (Prof. Schiavone, Tarantola, Renna, Valle, Raspa and Forte) and the Animal production sector, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Torino (Prof. Gasco, Biasato and Dr. Bellezza Oddon) for evaluating the faecal parameters, morphometric, histopathological, immunohistochemical and biomolecular parameters related to gut health. Moreover, we are also involved in cell cultures and animal models in order to test different dietary supplementation or develop new drugs in collaboration with the Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA-CNR), Torino (Dr. Cavallarin, Gai and Bavaro) or the Department of Drug Science and Technology, Torino (Prof. Battaglia). We actively collaborate with national and international partners for the organization of zootechnical, and nutritional trials and for further analyses.
In details, our team mainly evaluates:  

• Gut morphometry: Gut morphometry in terms of villus height, crypts depth, length of different layers of GIT wall (mucosa, submucosa, lamina propria, epithelium, and muscular) is considered the main indicator of intestinal development, health and functionality. Samples of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecum are routinely processed for histology. and histomorphometry measurements. Three morphometric indices are evaluated on slides stained with Haematoxylin & Eosin: villus height (Vh), crypt depth (Cd) and Vh/Cd ratio. Vh and Cd are useful indicators of gut proliferative and absorptive compartments while Vh/Cd ratio gives an indication of the likely maturity and functional capacity of enterocytes. These intestinal features are essential for a correct nutrient absorption and, consequently, for an optimal animal growth.
• Rumen morphometry: Rumen papillae length, width, number of papillae and surface area for absorption, rumen wall thickness, and keratinization of papillae are the main indicators of ruminal functionality. Samples of dorsal, ventral, and blind sacs are collected and histologically processed to measure the above reported parameters.
• Histopathological evaluation of main organs: forestomachs, stomach, small intestine, and cecum are microscopically evaluated in order to evaluate the integrity of the epithelium, keratinization/pigmentation, and presence of inflammatory infiltrates or the activation of GALT (Gut associated lymphoid tissue). In fact, inflammation negatively affects the absorption of nutrients in the gut. Moreover, the liver is also evaluated for detecting vacuolar degeneration and inflammation that can alter its functionality. The main lymphoid organs (spleen, thymus, bursa of Fabricius, depending on animal species) are studied as indicators of animal general health status.
• Mucin evaluation: The entire surface of the gastrointestinal mucosa is covered by an adherent mucus gel layer, mainly composed by mucins, which are glycosylated glycoproteins synthesized, stored and secreted by goblet cells. Mucins constitute the first barrier against pathogens, and they can be divided in neutral, acidic sialylated and acidic sulfated mucins. Modifications in terms of mucin quality and quantity can lead to different pathologies such as ulcerative enteritis or cancer. Three histochemical staining (Periodic Acid Schiff-PAS, Alcian Blue and Alcian HID) are performed to evaluate if the percentage of each mucin type is affected by the diet. Moreover, a real time PCR is performed to study MUC-2 gene expression, being the main gene related to mucin production.
• Local immune response evaluation: Gut immune response plays a key role in protecting the gut against pathogens. It is composed by different cell populations: dendritic cells, macrophages, B lymphocytes with their IgA and T lymphocytes with their cytokines. Immunohistochemical stainings are used to characterise the inflammatory infiltrates (i.e., CD3, CD79, CD45 for T and B lymphocytes and macrophages). A real time-PCR is also performed to investigate the expression of the main pro inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the gut.
• Microbiota evaluation: Gut microbiota is defined as the whole population of microorganisms inhabiting a specific environment. It assists the host in the fermentation of different feed ingredients, and it protects the gastrointestinal tract from harmful bacteria, regulating the local immunity. Using a NGS (next generation sequencing) method, our team investigates the main bacterial genera and species that inhabit the animal gastrointestinal tract.
• In-vitro Testing: In-vitro static digestion models simulate the oral, gastric, and intestinal phases, digesting the feed/food ingredients to mimic in-vivo digestive conditions. This approach provides a better understanding of the effects of the ingredients on gut health. Immortalized colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) and primary intestinal epithelial cells are used to study cell growth and differentiation. This allows for the investigation of cellular properties such as cell junctions, utilizing transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), immunohistochemistry, and RT-PCR to assess immune and molecular gene expression. The activity of this team focuses on the evaluation of the effects of new dietary compounds on animal gut health and, consequently, on the animal general health status.

• 2023-2027_HORIZON 2020, SUSTAINEXT. Next generation, zero-waste, dynamic, multivalorization route biorefinery for sustainable botanical ingredients: showcasing a replicable and versatile model from extremadura to bio-based industry in EU. Coordinator UNITO: prof. Capucchio; General coordinator: NATAC company, Spain

Collaboration in:

• 2022-2025_ADVAGROMED (1/09/2022 - 30/08/2025). ADVanced AGROecological approaches based on the integration of insect farming with local field practices in MEDiterranean countries. PRIMA (PRIMA SECTION 2 2021 - Topic 2.2.1 (RIA). Cordinator: prof. Laura Gasco (DISAFA - UNITO)
• 2023-2024_ CNR - Slovak Academy of Sciences. How can biotransformation processes of thymol affect gut health in animal organism? Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Ufficio Relazioni Internazionali. Cordinator: dr. F. Gai (CNR-TO)
• 2023-2026_ProgettonewRIFF (01/06/2023-31/05/2026). (2022-0227)-New life for Rice by-products and agricultural wastes: Insects bioconversion for Fish Feed production. Fondazione Cariplo. Coordinator: prof. Jacopo Bacenetti (UNIMI); coordinator UNITO: prof. Ilaria Biasato (DISAFA-UNITO)
• 2022- 2024_ PRIN Bando 2022. Harnessing the potential of CRICKet based-fortified FOOD on gut health – CRICKFOOD. Ministry of the Interior, university, and research- MIUR. Coordinator: prof. I. Ferrocino (DISAFA, UNITO)

• Biasato I., Ferrocino I., Biasibetti E., Grego E., Dabbou S., Sereno A., Gai F., Gasco L., Schiavone A., Cocolin L., Capucchio MT. - Modulation of intestinal microbiota, morphology and mucin composition by dietary insect meal inclusion in free-range chickens - BMC Vet Res. 2018;14(1):383. Published 2018 Dec 4. DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1690-y
• Elia AC., Capucchio MT., Caldaroni B., Magara G., Dorr AJM., Biasato I., Biasibetti E., Righetti M., Pastorino P., Prearo M., Gai F., Schiavone A., Gasco L. - Influence of Hermetia illucens meal dietary inclusion on the histological traits, gut mucin composition and the oxidative stress biomarkers in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) - Aquaculture, 2018; 496 (50): 57. DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.07.009
• Gasco L., Dabbou S., Trocino A., Xiccato G., Capucchio MT., Biasato I., Dezzuto D., Birolo M., Meneguz M., Schiavone A., Gai F. - Effect of dietary supplementation with insect fats on growth performance, digestive efficiency and health of rabbits - J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2019;10:4. Published 2019 Jan 17. DOI: 10.1186/s40104-018-0309-2
• Biasato I., Renna M., Gai F., Dabbou S., Meneguz M., Perona G., Martinez S., Barroeta Lajusticia AC., Bergagna S., Sardi L., Capucchio MT., Bressan E., Dama A., Schiavone A., Gasco L. - Partially defatted black soldier fly larva meal inclusion in piglet diets: effects on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, gut morphology and histological features - J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2019;10:12. Published 2019 Feb 19. DOI: 10.1186/s40104-019-0325-x
• Gariglio M., Dabbou S., Crispo M., Biasato I., Gai F., Gasco L., Piacente F., Odetti P., Bergagna S., Plachà I., Valle E., Colombino E., Capucchio M.T., Schiavone A. - Effects of the Dietary Inclusion of Partially Defatted Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Meal on the Blood Chemistry and Tissue (Spleen, Liver, Thymus,and Bursa of Fabricius) Histology of Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata domestica) - Animals 2019, 9, 307; DOI: 10.3390/ani9060307
• Dabbou S., Trocino A., Xiccato G., Nery J., Madrid J., Martinez S., Hernandez F., Kalmar ID., Capucchio MT., Colombino E., Biasato I., Bailoni L., Gasco L., Mugnai C., Schiavone A. - The effect of dietary supplementation with globin and spray-dried porcine plasma on performance, digestibility and histomorphological traits in broiler chickens - J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2020;DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13356
• Colombino E., Zduńczyk Z., Jankowski J., Cocolin L.S., Schiavone A., Biasato I., Prieto Botella D., Karlińska E., Kosmala M., Ognik K., Capucchio M.T., Juśkiewicz J. Effects of feeding dried fruit pomaces as additional fibre-phenolic compound on meat quality, blood chemistry and redox status of broilers. Animals, 10 (11):1968,2020 DOI: 10.3390/ani10111968
• Colombino E., Biasato I., Ferrocino I., Bellezza Oddon S., Caimi C., Gariglio M., Dabbou S., Caramori M., Battisti E., Zanet S., Ferroglio E., Cocolin L., Gasco L., Schiavone A., Capucchio M.T. Effect of insect live larvae as environmental enrichment on poultry gut health: gut mucin composition, microbiota and local immune response evaluation. Animals, 11(10): 2819-2830, 2021. DOI: 10.3390/ani11102819
• Biasato, I., Chemello, G., Oddon, S.B., Ferrocino, I., Corvaglia, M.R., Caimi, C., Resconi, A., Paul, A., van Spankeren, M., Capucchio, M.T., Colombino, E., Cocolin, L., Gai, F., Schiavone, A., Gasco, L., 2022. Hermetia illucens meal inclusion in low-fishmeal diets for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Effects on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility coefficients, selected gut health traits, and health status indices. Anim Feed Sci Technol 290, 115341, 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2022.115341
• Colombino E., Raspa F., Perotti M., Bergero D., Vervuert I., Valle E., Capucchio M.T. Gut health of horses: effects of high fibre vs high starch diet on histological and morphometrical parameters. BMC Veterinary Research, 2022, 18(1), 338. DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03433-y
• Colombino E., Biasato I., Michetti A., Rubino M.G., Franciosa I., Giribaldi M., Antoniazzi S., Bergagna S., Paliasso G., Ferrocino I., Cavallarin L., Gasco L., Capucchio M.T. Effects of dietary supplementation of D2 Lactobacillus acidophilus on blood parameters and gut health of rabbits. Animals, 12 (24), 3543, 2022. DOI: 10.3390/ani12243543
• Biasato I., Gasco L., Schiavone A., Capucchio M.T., Ferrocino I. Gut microbiota changes in insect-fed monogastric species: state-of-the-art and future perspectives. Anim Front. 13(4):72-80, 2023 DOI: 10.1093/af/vfad025
• Colombino E., Gariglio M., Biasato I., Ferrocino I., Pozzo S., Fragola E., Battisti E., Zanet S., Ferroglio E.,Capucchio M.T., Schiavone A. Insect live larvae as a new nutritional model in duck: effects on gut health. Animal Microbiome. 6:31, 2024. DOI: 10.1186/s42523-024-00316-5

Laboratories of Animal Pathology, Nutrition and Genetics sectors, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Torino

Dr. Michael H. Kogut, USDA-ARS, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, College Station, Texas, USA

Dr. Iveta Plachá, Centre of Biosciences of Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Animal Physiology, Košice, Slovakia

NATAC, company, 28923 - Alcorcón, Madrid (Spain)

Prof. Jerzy Juśkiewicz - Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland

Acel Pharma Srl, Beinasco, Torino, Italy

Dr. Stefania Bergagna - Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Laboratorio di Diagnostica Generale, Turin, Italy

Prof. Laura Gasco - Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Animal production sector, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy

Prof. Ilaria Biasato - Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Animal production sector, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy

Dr. Sara Bellezza Oddon - Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Animal production sector, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy

Prof. Luca Cocolin - Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Microbiology and food technology sector, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Turin. Italy

Prof. Ilario Ferrocino - Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Microbiology and food technology sector, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy

Dr. ssa Laura Cavallarin - Institute of the Sciences of Food Production (ISPA-CNR), Grugliasco, Turin, Italy

Dr. Francesco Gai - Institute of the Sciences of Food Production (ISPA-CNR), Grugliasco, Turin, Italy

Dr. Simona Lucia Bavaro - Institute of the Sciences of Food Production (ISPA-CNR), Grugliasco, Turin, Italy

Prof. Luigi Battaglia - Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Italy

Dr. Loris Alborali - Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna, Laboratorio di Diagnostica Generale, Brescia, Italy

Research Centre for Food and Nutrition (CREA), Rome, Italy

Prof. Antonella Elia - Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Italy

Dr. Sihem Dabbou - Center Agriculture Food Environment, University of Trento, Italy