In our previous report, we detailed how the NIC research team at Guangdong nuacid Company successfully established a gout model in goslings using a high‑protein, high‑calcium diet and found that QimeiSu could significantly reduce serum uric acid levels in goslings, with reductions of up to 60%. This breakthrough provides new insights into the nutritional regulation of gout in geese. In this issue, we will further investigate the effects of QimeiSu under sustained hyperuricemia in adult geese, conducting an in‑depth analysis of its impact on gout‑related production performance, organ indices, serum hepatic and renal function, antioxidant capacity, inflammatory cytokines, and the structural integrity of the liver and kidneys, thereby elucidating the mechanisms by which QimeiSu regulates uric acid metabolism over a longer time frame.

In this experiment, 240 14-day-old Magang geese (half male and half female) were randomly assigned to five groups, with three replicates per group and 16 geese per replicate. The experimental groups included: a negative control group (standard diet), a positive control group (high‑protein, high‑calcium diet), an allopurinol group (high‑protein, high‑calcium diet plus allopurinol), a zhimisu A group (high‑protein, high‑calcium diet plus zhimisu administered from day 1), and a zhimisu B group (high‑protein, high‑calcium diet plus zhimisu administered from day 14). The trial lasted 72 days, during which the production performance, organ indices, serum biochemical parameters, and inflammatory cytokine levels of the geese in each group were recorded.

The experimental results showed that, compared with goslings aged 1 to 14 days, the mortality rate of Magang goslings decreased from 15 to 72 days of age. However, this had a significant impact on the production performance of growing geese: Magang goslings in the gout model group reached only 74% of the body weight of their age-matched controls, whereas those fed Qimeisu from day one recovered to 92% of the control group’s weight. Feed conversion ratio, average daily gain, and feed intake also improved significantly. Qimeisu demonstrated a dual benefit—disease prevention plus growth promotion—effectively alleviating gout symptoms, enhancing weight gain efficiency, optimizing feed returns, and reducing mortality. For farmers, using Qimeisu to prevent and treat gout in geese can improve overall economic returns and reduce losses due to disease.

Weight analysis of organs including the heart, proventriculus, jejunum, and duodenum revealed that the Ximei Su group had significantly higher heart and proventriculus weights than the positive control group, with increased weights also observed in the jejunum and duodenum. These findings indicate that Ximei Su can enhance visceral organ development and metabolic function in geese, thereby facilitating uric acid excretion and metabolism.

Serum biochemical analysis showed that in the positive control group, renal function markers such as uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were significantly elevated, indicating severe kidney damage caused by the high-protein, high-calcium diet. In contrast, these parameters were significantly reduced in the Qimeisu group, with uric acid levels dropping from 620 to 260—a 60% decrease—consistent with the findings reported previously. Furthermore, liver function markers (e.g., ALT, AST) were also markedly improved in the Qimeisu group, suggesting that Qimeisu not only protects the kidneys but also alleviates the metabolic burden on the liver.

Gout is closely associated with oxidative stress. The experimental results showed that the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes was significantly reduced in the positive control group, whereas it was significantly increased in both the Qimeisu group and the allopurinol group. By enhancing the liver’s antioxidant capacity and reducing the production of oxygen free radicals, Qimeisu attenuated oxidative stress during uric acid synthesis, thereby further inhibiting uric acid production.

Inflammatory response is one of the key mechanisms underlying gout attacks. The results showed that serum levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in the positive control group, whereas they were significantly reduced in both the Qimeisu group and the allopurinol group. By inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokines, Qimeisu attenuated inflammation in joints and soft tissues, thereby alleviating gout symptoms.

Under the guidance of Dr. Sun at the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences’ Animal Health Research Institute, we performed histopathological analysis on liver and kidney sections from 72-day-old Magang geese. We observed epithelial cell atrophy and degeneration, epithelial shedding, disorganized hepatic cords, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the positive control group. In contrast, the Qimeisu group exhibited only mild epithelial shedding in the kidneys, slight disruption of hepatic cords, and a marked reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration. These findings indicate that Qimeisu can effectively protect renal and hepatic tissues, mitigating gout‑induced damage to internal organs.

Conclusion

 

Through a long-term trial conducted up to 72 days of age, we further confirmed the remarkable efficacy of Qimeisu in regulating uric acid metabolism, alleviating gout symptoms, improving production performance, and protecting visceral organs. By reducing xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity, enhancing antioxidant capacity, and suppressing inflammatory responses, Qimeisu significantly lowered serum uric acid levels, mitigated liver and kidney tissue damage, preserved the structural integrity of hepatic and renal tissues, and reversed the decline in production performance caused by gout in adult geese, restoring it from 74% to 92% of that observed with a standard diet.

This discovery offers a new approach to the prevention and treatment of gout in geese and holds broad application potential. Moving forward, the NIC R&D team at Guangdong nuacid Company will continue collaborating with the Institute of Animal Health at the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences to further investigate the regulatory mechanisms of gout, striving to develop an optimal solution for goose gout and providing robust support for the healthy development of the goose farming industry.

 

 

For related articles, please see: « Gout in Geese: Nutritional Factors Can Reduce Hyperuricemia by 60%! Mechanistic Study of NIC-1’s Action in Lowering Uric Acid (First Report) 》

 

 

Written by: E Xiaodi

Review: Hu Youjun