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; drajay@vets-plus.com (A.S.); lallr@vets-plus.com (R.L.);
jamilt@vets-plus.com (J.T.); dand@vets-plus.com (D.D.)
2 Breathitt Veterinary Center, Toxicology Department, Murray State University, Hopkinsville, KY 42240, USA
* Correspondence: rgupta@murraystate.edu
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; drajay@vets-plus.com (A.S.); lallr@vets-plus.com (R.L.);
jamilt@vets-plus.com (J.T.); dand@vets-plus.com (D.D.)
2 Breathitt Veterinary Center, Toxicology Department, Murray State University, Hopkinsville, KY 42240, USA
* Correspondence: rgupta@murraystate.edu
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.
