Ajay Srivastava 1, Rajiv Lall 1, Jamil Talukder 1, Dan DuBourdieu 1 and Ramesh C. Gupta 2,*
1 Vets Plus, Inc., Menomonie, WI 54751, USA; [email protected] (A.S.); [email protected] (R.L.);
[email protected] (J.T.); [email protected] (D.D.)
2 Breathitt Veterinary Center, Toxicology Department, Murray State University, Hopkinsville, KY 42240, USA
* Correspondence: [email protected]
Academic Editors: Doriana Tedesco, Aldo Tava and Silvano Geremia
Received: 20 June 2019; Accepted: 18 November 2019; Published: 25 November 2019
1 Vets Plus, Inc., Menomonie, WI 54751, USA; [email protected] (A.S.); [email protected] (R.L.);
[email protected] (J.T.); [email protected] (D.D.)
2 Breathitt Veterinary Center, Toxicology Department, Murray State University, Hopkinsville, KY 42240, USA
* Correspondence: [email protected]
Academic Editors: Doriana Tedesco, Aldo Tava and Silvano Geremia
Received: 20 June 2019; Accepted: 18 November 2019; Published: 25 November 2019
Abstract: Gut health is the starting place for maintaining the overall health of an animal. Strategies
to maintain gut health are, thus, an important part in achieving the goal of improving animal health.
A new strategy to do this involves two molecules: the iron transport protein ovotransferrin (IT) and
α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS), which result in the novel formulation of ITPGS.
These molecules help reduce gut pathogens, while enhancing the absorption and bioavailability of
therapeutic drugs, phytomedicines, and nanomedicines. This, in turn, helps to maintain normal health
in animals. Maintaining the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in its normal condition is key for successful
absorption and efficacy of any nutrient. A compromised GIT, due to an imbalance (dysbiosis) in the
GIT microbiome, can lead to an impaired GI barrier system with impaired absorption and overall
health of the animal. The molecules in ITPGS may address the issue of poor absorption by keeping the
GI system healthy by maintaining the normal microbiome and improving the absorption of nutrients
through multiple mechanisms involving antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and
antimicrobial activities.
