Effects of vitamin B6 on growth, diarrhea rate, intestinal morphology, function, and inflammatory factors expression in a high-protein diet fed to weaned piglets1

Abstract Vitamin B6 (VB6) is an important coenzyme factor which participates in many metabolic reactions, especially amino acid metabolism. There are few reports on how VB6 mediates weaned piglet intestinal health. This study purposed to investigate dietary VB6 effects on growth, diarrhea rates, and intestinal morphology and function in weaned piglets fed a high-crude protein (22% CP) diet. Eighteen 21-d-old weaned [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] piglets with body weights of 7.03 ± 0.15 (means ± SEM) kg were randomly assigned into 3 VB6-containing dietary treatments. Vitamin B6 content was: 0, 4, and 7 mg/kg, respectively. The feeding period lasted 14 d. The results showed that no significant difference existed for the growth performance. The 7 mg/kg VB6 group had a tendency to decrease diarrhea rate (P = 0.065). Blood biochemical parameters analysis demonstrated that total protein, cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein significantly increased in the 7 mg/kg VB6 group (P < 0.05). In the jejunum, no significant differences were detected for villus height, villus width, crypt depth, villus height and crypt depth ratios, and positive Ki67 counts and the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines. Vitamin B6 significantly increased the mRNA expression of SLC6A19 and SLC6A20 (P < 0.05) and decreased the mRNA expression of SLC36A1 (P < 0.05). In the ileum, VB6 significantly increased villus height and villus width (P < 0.05) while decreased positive Ki67 cell counts for 7 mg/kg VB6 group (P < 0.05). Vitamin B6 had significantly increased the mRNA expression of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α,cyclo-oxygen-ase-2, and transforming growth factor-β (P < 0.05). Vitamin B6 also had significantly increased mRNA expression of SLC6A19, SLC7A6, SLC7A7, and SLC36A1 (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with VB6 may affect the intestinal morphology and absorption and metabolism of protein in weaned piglets fed a high-protein diet by altering the expression of intestinal inflammatory cytokines and amino acid transporters.

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Effects of vitamin B6 on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, and gene expression in weaned piglets that are fed a low-protein diet1

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa022 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lanmei Yin ◽

Jun Li ◽

Huiru Wang ◽

Zhenfeng Yi ◽

Lei Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Inflammatory Cytokines ◽

Vitamin B6 ◽

Animal Health ◽

Dietary Supplementation ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Cox 2

Abstract Vitamin B6 (VB6), which is an essential functional substance for biosome, plays an irreplaceable role in animal health. However, there are few studies that focus on the correlation between VB6 and intestinal health in weaned piglets. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of VB6 on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, and inflammatory cytokines and amino acid (AA) transporters mRNA expression in weaned piglets that are fed a low crude-protein (CP, 18%) diet. Eighteen crossbred piglets with initial body weights of 7.03 ± 0.17 kg (means ± SEM), weaned at 21-d age, were randomly assigned three diets with 0, 4, and 7 mg/kg VB6 supplementation, respectively. The experimental period lasted 14 days. Our results showed that there were no significant differences in growth performance, diarrhea rate, and biochemical parameters among the three treatments. In the jejunum, dietary VB6 supplementation did not affect the morphology and positive Ki67 counts. Dietary supplementation with 4 mg/kg VB6 decreased the mRNA expression of COX-2, IL-10, and TGF-β (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 7 mg/kg VB6 increased the mRNA expression of SLC7A1, SLC7A6, SLC16A14, and SLC38A5 (P < 0.05) and 4 or 7 mg/kg VB6 decreased SLC36A1 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). In the ileum, VB6 supplementation did not affect positive Ki67 counts but significantly decreased villus area (P < 0.05) and tended to decrease villus height (P = 0.093). Dietary supplementation with 4 mg/kg VB6 had significantly increased the mRNA expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, COX-2, IL-10, and TGF-β (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 4 or 7 mg/kg VB6 had significantly decreased SLC6A20, SLC7A1, SLC7A6, SLC16A14, and SLC38A5 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that dietary supplementation of VB6 mainly down-regulated inflammatory cytokines and up-regulated AA transporters mRNA expression in jejunum, while up-regulated (4 mg/kg) inflammatory cytokines and down-regulated AA transporters mRNA expression in ileum, which may provide a reference for the intestinal development of weaned piglets that are fed a low-CP diet.

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Lactobacillus delbrueckii Ameliorates Intestinal Integrity and Antioxidant Ability in Weaned Piglets after a Lipopolysaccharide Challenge

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2020/6028606 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Fengming Chen ◽

Houjun Wang ◽

Jiayi Chen ◽

Yang Liu ◽

Wei Wen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Lactobacillus Delbrueckii ◽

Intestinal Barrier Function ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Villus Height ◽

Crypt Depth ◽

Intestinal Integrity

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus delbrueckii (LAB) on intestinal morphology, barrier function, immune response, and antioxidant capacity in weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 36 two-line crossbred (Landrace × large Yorkshire) weaned piglets (28 days old) were divided into three groups: (1) nonchallenged control (CON); (2) LPS-challenged control (LPS); and (3) LAB+LPS treatment (0.2% LAB+LPS). Compared to the LPS piglets, the LAB+LPS piglets improved intestinal morphology, indicated by greater (P<0.05) villus height in the duodenum and ileum; villus height : crypt depth ratio in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, as well as decreased (P<0.05) crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum; and better intestinal barrier function, indicated by upregulated (P<0.05) mRNA expression of tight junction proteins in the intestinal mucosa. Moreover, compared to the LPS piglets, LAB significantly decreased (P<0.05) concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β in the small intestine and increased (P<0.05) IL-10 levels in the jejunum and ileum. Additionally, LAB increased (P<0.05) T-AOC activities of the colon, GSH concentrations of the jejunum, and mRNA expression of CAT and Cu/Zn-SOD, while reduced (P<0.05) MDA concentrations in the jejunum and ileum in LPS-changed piglets. Collectively, our results indicate that supplementation of LAB improved intestinal integrity and immune response and alleviated intestinal oxidative damage in LPS-challenged piglets.

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Dietary chitosan-Cu chelate affects growth performance and small intestinal morphology and apoptosis in weaned piglets.

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/85/2015-cjas ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 62 (No. 1) ◽

pp. 15-21

Author(s):

X. Yue ◽

L. Hu ◽

X. Fu ◽

M. Lv ◽

X. Han

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cell ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Villus Height ◽

Crypt Depth ◽

Epithelial Cell Apoptosis ◽

Diarrhea Incidence ◽

Small Intestinal

The effects of dietary chitosan-copper chelate (CS-Cu) on growth performance, diarrhea, intestinal morphology and epithelial cell apoptosis in weaned piglets was investigated. One hundred and sixty Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weanling barrows with an average body weight of 7.75 kg were randomly assigned to one of the following dietary treatments: (1) control, (2) 100 mg Cu/kg diet from CuSO4, (3) 100 mg Cu/kg diet from CuSO4 mixed with chitosan (CuSO4+CS), (4) 100 mg Cu/kg diet from CS-Cu. The feeding trial lasted for 30 days. The results showed that the pigs receiving a diet containing CS-Cu had higher average daily gain and lower diarrhea incidence than the pigs receiving dietary CuSO4 and CuSO4+CS. Villus height and the ratio of villus height/crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were higher and crypt depth was lower in CS-Cu treated pigs than in pigs fed dietary CuSO4 or CuSO4+CS. An apparent decrease of ileal epithelial cell apoptosis in pigs fed CS-Cu diet was found. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were higher in pigs fed dietary CS-Cu than in those fed other diets. The results indicated that dietary CS-Cu showed better biological and physiological function in improving small intestinal morphology and reducing diarrhea incidence.

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Dietary Moutan Cortex Radicis Alters Serum Antioxidant Capacity, Intestinal Immunity and Colonic Microbiota in Weaned Piglets

10.21203/rs.3.rs-95711/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Miaomiao Bai ◽

Hongnan Liu ◽

Shanshan Wang ◽

Qingyan Shu ◽

Kang Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Catalase Activity ◽

Nuclear Factor Kappa B ◽

Anaerobic Bacteria ◽

Nuclear Factor ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Villus Height ◽

Crypt Depth ◽

Moutan Cortex

Abstract Background: Moutan cortex radicis (MCR), as a common traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used as antipyretic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent in China. However, few studies have evaluated the positive effects of MCR, as a new feed additives, on alleviating weaning stress and improving intestinal health and microbiom in pigs. This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary MCR supplementation on serum antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, anti-inflammatory mechanism, and microbiota in weaned piglets.Results: Supplemental 2000 mg/kg and 4000 mg/kg MCR increased (P < 0.05) the final body weight, ADG and ADFI of weaned piglets, and 2000 mg/kg MCR diet significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the F/G ratio and increased (P < 0.05) serum catalase activity compared with CON group. Also, the villus height and crypt depth in the ileum and the concentrations of total SCFA, acetic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid in the colonic contents were higher (P < 0.05) in the 2000 mg/kg and 4000 mg/kg MCR diets than CON group. Dietary MCR supplementation at 4000 mg/kg MCR significantly increased (P < 0.05) total antioxidative capability and the crypt depth in the jejunum but decreased (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression levels of Interferon γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, inhibiting kappa B kinase β (IKKβ), inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-B (IκBα) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in the jejunum and ileum. Supplemental 8000 mg/kg MCR had the higher total antioxidative capability and catalase activity in the serum but decreased (P < 0.05) the villus height and crypt depth in the jejunum compared with the CON group. MCR addition reduced (P < 0.05) serum malondialdehyde content, and tended to increase the mRNA expression of zonula occludens-1 in the ileum (P = 0.066) compared to the CON group. Microbiota sequencing identified the microbial richness indices (Chao1, ACE, and observed species), the relative abundances of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus were increased (P < 0.05), and the relative abundances of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, unidentified_Lachnospiraceae and Enterococcus were reduced (P < 0.05) by MCR supplemented. Microbial metabolic phenotypes analysis also showed that the richness of aerobic bacteria and facultative anaerobic bacteria, oxidative stress tolerance, and biofilm forming were significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the richness of anaerobic bacteria and pathogenic potential of gut microbiota were reduced (P < 0.05) by MCR treatment. Conclusions: In antibiotic-free diets, MCR supplementation improved growth performance and serum antioxidant capacity, alleviated intestinal inflammatory by inhibiting IKKβ/IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway and affecting intestinal microbiota in weaned piglets.

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Effects of Xylo-Oligosaccharides on Growth and Gut Microbiota as Potential Replacements for Antibiotic in Weaning Piglets

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.641172 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Yuxia Chen ◽

Yining Xie ◽

Ruqing Zhong ◽

Lei Liu ◽

Changguang Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Short Chain ◽

Control Group ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Villus Height ◽

Crypt Depth ◽

Weaning Piglets

Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) is a well-known kind of oligosaccharide and extensively applied as a prebiotic. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of XOS supplementation substituting chlortetracycline (CTC) on growth, gut morphology, gut microbiota, and hindgut short chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents of weaning piglets. A total of 180 weaned piglets were randomly allocated to three treatments for 28 days, as follows: control group (basal diet, CON), basal diet with 500 mg/kg (XOS500) XOS, and positive control (basal diet with 100 mg/kg CTC). Compared with the CON group, the piglets in the XOS500 group improved body weight (BW) on days 28, average daily gain (ADG) and reduced feed: gain ratio during days 1–28 (P < 0.05). The XOS500 supplementation increased Villus height and Villus height: Crypt depth ratio in the ileum (P < 0.05). Villus Height: Crypt Depth of the ileum was also increased in the CTC treatment group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the XOS500 supplementation increased significantly the numbers of goblet cells in the crypt of the cecum. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed distinct differences in microbial compositions between the ileum and cecum. XOS500 supplementation significantly increased the bacterial diversity. However, CTC treatment markedly reduced the microbial diversity (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, XOS500 supplementation in the diet significantly increased the abundance of Lactobacillus genus compared to the CON and CTC group in the ileum and cecum (P < 0.01), whereas the level of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Escherichia-Shigella, and Terrisporobacter genus in the XOS500 group were markedly lower than the CON and CTC group (P < 0.05). In addition, dietary supplementation with XOS500 significantly increased the total short-chain fatty acids, propionate and butyrate concentrations and decreased the acetate concentration compared to the CON group in the cecum (P < 0.05). In summary, dietary supplemented with XOS500 could enhance specific beneficial microbiota abundance and decrease harmful microbiota abundance to maintain the structure of the intestinal morphology and improve growth performance of weaned piglets. Thus, XOS may potentially function as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics in weaned piglets in modern husbandry.

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Dietary chitosan-Cu chelate affects growth performance and small intestinal morphology and apoptosis in weaned piglets

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/86/2015-cjas ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 62 (No. 1) ◽

pp. 15-21

Author(s):

X. Yue ◽

L. Hu ◽

X. Fu ◽

M. Lv ◽

X. Han

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cell ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Villus Height ◽

Crypt Depth ◽

Epithelial Cell Apoptosis ◽

Diarrhea Incidence ◽

Small Intestinal

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Effects of Combined Supplementation of Macleaya cordata Extract and Benzoic Acid on the Growth Performance, Immune Responses, Antioxidant Capacity, Intestinal Morphology, and Microbial Composition in Weaned Piglets

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.708597 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Fang Wang ◽

Yexin Yin ◽

Mei Yang ◽

Jiashun Chen ◽

Chenxing Fu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Benzoic Acid ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Villus Height ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Crypt Depth ◽

Study Results ◽

Macleaya Cordata

Because the use of antibiotics is forbidden, piglets experience a considerable weanling stress, resulting in increased incidence of diarrhea and death. Macleaya cordata extract or benzoic acid have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities that makes them potential antibiotic alternatives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of feed supplemented with Macleaya cordata extract and benzoic acid on growth performance, immunity, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and microflora in weaned piglets. Twenty-four weaned piglets [Duroc × (Large White × Landrace)] 28 days of age and weighing 8.41 ± 0.13 kg were randomly divided in equal numbers (n = 8) into three groups fed a basal diet (CON), CON + 20 mg/kg flavomycin + 50 mg/kg quinocetone (AGP), or CON + 50 mg/kg Macleaya cordata extract + 1,000 mg/kg benzoic acid (MB). Compared with the CON diet, dietary MB or AGP increased the final weight and average daily gain, and reduced feed efficiency and the diarrhea rate (P < 0.05). Compared with the CON diet, MB supplementation increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD activity) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content (P < 0.05). Serum interleukin (IL)-10 IgA and IgM were higher (P < 0.05) in MB-fed piglets than in CON-fed piglets. Piglets fed the MB diet had greater villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio (VC) in the duodenum, villus height in the ileum, and lower crypt depth in the jejunum than did piglets given the CON diet (P < 0.5). Piglets in the MB group had increased concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acids in the ileum or cecum compared with the CON and AGP groups (P < 0.05). Streptococcus proportion was lower in the MB than in the AGP group. Dietary MB increased the Lactobacillus and decreased Escherichia-Shigella populations compared with the CON group (P < 0.05). The study results indicate that MB can be used to replace AGP as a feed supplement for weaned piglets.

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Effect of Niacin on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, Mucosal Immunity and Microbiota Composition in Weaned Piglets

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11082186 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2186

Author(s):

Shilong Liu ◽

Xiaoping Zhu ◽

Yueqin Qiu ◽

Li Wang ◽

Xiuguo Shang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Mucosal Immunity ◽

Transforming Growth Factor ◽

Intestinal Inflammation ◽

Control Diet ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Control Group ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Villus Height ◽

Crypt Depth

This study aimed to investigate the effects of niacin on growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal mucosal immunity, and colonic microbiota in weaned piglets. A total of 96 weaned piglets (Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire), 21-d old, 6.65 ± 0.02 kg body weight (BW)) were randomly allocated into 3 treatment groups (8 replicate pens per treatment, each pen containing 4 males; n = 32/treatment) for 14 d. Piglets were fed a control diet (CON) or the CON diet supplemented with 20.4 mg/kg niacin (NA) or an antagonist for the niacin receptor GPR109A (MPN). The results showed that NA or MPN had no effect on ADG, ADFI, G/F or diarrhea incidence compared with the CON diet. However, compared with piglets in the NA group, piglets in the MPN group had lower ADG (p = 0.042) and G/F (p = 0.055). In comparison with the control and MPN group, niacin supplementation increased the villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (p < 0.05), while decreasing the crypt depth in the duodenum (p < 0.05). Proteomics analysis of cytokines showed that niacin supplementation increased the expression of duodenal transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), jejunal interleukin-10 (IL-10) and ileal interleukin-6 (IL-6) (p < 0.05), and reduced the expression of ileal interleukin-8 (IL-8) (p < 0.05) compared with the control diet. Piglets in the MPN group had significantly increased expression of ileal IL-6, and jejunal IL-8 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (p < 0.05) compared with those in the control group. Piglets in the MPN group had lower jejunal IL-10 level and higher jejunal IL-8 level than those in the NA group (p < 0.05). The mRNA abundance of duodenal IL-8 and ileal granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) genes were increased (p < 0.05), and that of ileal IL-10 transcript was decreased (p < 0.05) in the MPN group compared with both the control and NA groups. Additionally, niacin increased the relative abundance of Dorea in the colon as compared with the control and MPN group (p < 0.05), while decreasing that of Peptococcus compared with the control group (p < 0.05) and increasing that of Lactobacillus compared with MPN supplementation (p < 0.05). Collectively, the results indicated that niacin supplementation efficiently ensured intestinal morphology and attenuated intestinal inflammation of weaned piglets. The protective effects of niacin on gut health may be associated with increased Lactobacillus and Dorea abundance and butyrate content and decreased abundances of Peptococcus.

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168 Effects of forsythia suspensa extract supplemented in sows and piglets on performance, antioxidant status, serum immunity and intestinal morphology in weaned piglets

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.358 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 174-174

Author(s):

Shenfei Long ◽

Xiangshu Piao

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Status ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Interaction Effects ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Average Weight ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Villus Height ◽

Crypt Depth ◽

Forsythia Suspensa ◽

Dietary Treatments

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of forsythia suspensa extract (FSE) supplemented in sows and piglets on performance, serum immunity and intestinal morphology in weaned pigs. A total of 192 healthy piglets [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire), 21-d weaned, average weight 6.98 ± 0.32 kg] were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatments with 8 replicate pens per treatment (3 barrows and 3 gilts per pen). The dietary treatments are 2 × 2 design, which included a corn-soybean basal diet (CTR) or FSE diet (CTR+100 mg/kg FSE) in sows (maternal) and weaned piglets (offspring) individually. Compared with CTR, maternal FSE supplementation could reduce (P < 0.01) diarrhea score and rate, tend to increase ADG in phase 1 (d 1 to 14) and 2 (d 15 to 28), as well as enhance (P < 0.05) ADG and feed efficiency in overall (d 1 to 28). On d 14, maternal and offspring FSE supplementation have interaction effects on increasing serum SOD, GSH-Px and CAT contents, while maternal FSE supplementation also showed enhanced (P < 0.05) serum GSH-Px content compared with CTR. On d 28, maternal or offspring FSE supplementation showed improved (P < 0.05) concentrations of serum IgG, SOD, T-AOC and GH, decreased (P < 0.05) content of serum MDA, whereas maternal and offspring FSE supplementation have interaction effects on enhancing (P < 0.05) the concentrations of serum IgA, T-AOC and GSH-Px contents compared with CTR. Moreover, maternal FSE supplementation had higher (P < 0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio in jejunum, increased (P < 0.05) villus height, and lower (P < 0.05) crypt depth in ileum compared with CTR. In conclusion, maternal FSE supplementation could be an efficient way to improve performance, antioxidant status and immune function in weaned piglets.

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Arginine metabolism and its protective effects on intestinal health and functions in weaned piglets under oxidative stress induced by diquat

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114517001519 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 117 (11) ◽

pp. 1495-1502 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Ping Zheng ◽

Bing Yu ◽

Jun He ◽

Jie Yu ◽

Xiangbing Mao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Nitric Oxide ◽

Nitric Oxide Synthase ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Protective Mechanism ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Crypt Depth ◽

Oxide Synthase

AbstractThe intestine plays key roles in maintaining body arginine (Arg) homoeostasis. Meanwhile, the intestine is very susceptible to reactive oxygen species. In light of this, the study aimed to explore the effects of Arg supplementation on intestinal morphology, Arg transporters and metabolism, and the potential protective mechanism of Arg supplementation in piglets under oxidative stress. A total of thirty-six weaned piglets were randomly allocated to six groups with six replicates and fed a base diet (0·95 % Arg,) or base diet supplemented with 0·8 % and 1·6 %l-Arg for 1 week, respectively. Subsequently, a challenge test was conducted by intraperitoneal injection of diquat, an initiator of radical production, or sterile saline. The whole trial lasted 11 d. The diquat challenge significantly decreased plasma Arg concentration at 6 h after injection (P<0·05), lowered villus height in the jejunum and ileum (P<0·05) as well as villus width and crypt depth in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P<0·05). Oxidative stress significantly increasedcationic amino acid transporter(CAT)-1,CAT-2andCAT-3, mRNA levels (P<0·05), decreasedarginase II(ARGII) andinducible nitric oxide synthasemRNA levels, and increasedTNF-αmRNA level in the jejunum (P<0·05). Supplementation with Arg significantly decreased crypt depth (P<0·05), suppressedCAT-1mRNA expression induced by diquat (P<0·05), increasedARGIIandendothelial nitric oxide synthasemRNA levels (P<0·05), and effectively relieved theTNF-αmRNA expression induced by diquat in the jejunum (P<0·05). It is concluded that oxidative stress decreased Arg bioavailability and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines in the jejunum, and that Arg supplementation has beneficial effects in the jejunum through regulation of the metabolism of Arg and suppression of inflammatory cytokine expression in piglets.

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