Red Grape Pomace Rich in Polyphenols Diet Increases the Antioxidant Status in Key Organs—Kidneys, Liver, and Spleen of Piglets

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Grape pomace (GP) is a residue generated by the wine industry that is produced in large quantities. This work aims to describe the beneficial effects replacing 5% of the corn in the diet of piglets with grape pomace. GP, besides other components, contains some important bioactive compounds called polyphenols. The study shows that the polyphenols from a 5% grape pomace diet are absorbed into the blood of piglets that receive it. These bioactive molecules have a beneficial action on the health status of the animals and also increase the antioxidant activity in the liver, spleen, and kidneys, which are key organs in the metabolism of the nutrients. ABSTRACT: The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of a diet containing 5% dried GP on the antioxidant status (total antioxidant status (TAS), antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase-CAT, superoxide dismutase-SOD, and gluthatione peroxidase-GPx), and lipid peroxidation) on the key organs of the liver, kidneys, and spleen in relation to health status as indicated by blood biochemical parameters and total polyphenol content in the blood, organs (liver, spleen, kidney, mesenteric lymph nodes, heart, and brain) and Longissimus dorsi muscle in piglets. The GP diet results in a significant increase of TAS in the liver, spleen, and kidneys, with increased CAT activity in the spleen and kidneys, increased SOD activity in the liver, kidneys, and spleen, and increased GPx activity in the kidneys, as well as a decrease in lipid peroxidation in the liver and kidneys. The GP included in the piglets’ feed contained polyphenols that showed antioxidant activity and were absorbed in the plasma, contributing to maintaining the good health of the animals. The inclusion of 5% GP inclusion in the diets of piglets is beneficial for overall normal blood constituent metabolism and helps to maintain piglet health by increasing the polyphenol content in blood plasma and antioxidant activity in the liver, spleen, and kidneys.