Lentinan administration relieves gut barrier dysfunction induced by rotavirus in a weaned piglet model

Therapeutic Potential of Fungal Polysaccharides in Gut Microbiota Regulation: Implications for Diabetes, Neurodegeneration, and Oncology

This review evaluates the therapeutic effects of polysaccharides derived from mushroom species that have medicinal and edible properties. The fungal polysaccharides were recently studied, focusing on their modulation of the gut microbiota and their impact on various diseases. The study covers both clinical and preclinical studies, detailing the results and highlighting the significant influence of these polysaccharides on gut microbiota modulation. It discusses the potential health benefits derived from incorporating these polysaccharides into the diet for managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the interaction between fungal polysaccharides and the gut microbiota, underscoring their role in modulating the gut microbial community. It presents a systematic analysis of the findings, demonstrating the substantial impact of fungal polysaccharides on gut microbiota composition and function, which may contribute to their therapeutic effects in various chronic conditions. We conclude that the modulation of the gut microbiota by these polysaccharides may play a crucial role in mediating their therapeutic effects, offering a promising avenue for further research and potential applications in disease prevention and treatment.

The protective role of prebiotics and probiotics on diarrhea and gut damage in the rotavirus-infected piglets

Rotavirus is one of the pathogenic causes that induce diarrhea in young animals, especially piglets, worldwide. However, nowadays, there is no specific drug available to treat the disease, and the related vaccines have no obvious efficiency in some countries. Via analyzing the pathogenesis of rotavirus, it inducing diarrhea is mainly due to disturb enteric nervous system, destroy gut mucosal integrity, induce intracellular electrolyte imbalance, and impair gut microbiota and immunity. Many studies have already proved that prebiotics and probiotics can mitigate the damage and diarrhea induced by rotavirus infection in hosts. Based on these, the current review summarizes and discusses the effects and mechanisms of prebiotics and probiotics on rotavirus-induced diarrhea in piglets. This information will highlight the basis for the swine production utilization of prebiotics and probiotics in the prevention or treatment of rotavirus infection in the future.

Protective effect of Broussonetia papyrifera leaf polysaccharides on intestinal integrity in a rat model of diet-induced oxidative stress

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Broussonetia papyrifera polysaccharides (BPP) on the jejunal intestinal integrity of rats ingesting oxidized fish oil (OFO) induced oxidative stress. Polysaccharides (Mw 16,956 Da) containing carboxyl groups were extracted from Broussonetia papyrifera leaves. In vitro antioxidant assays showed that this polysaccharide possessed antioxidant capabilities. Thirty-two male weaned rats were allocated into two groups orally infused BPP solution and PBS for 26 days, respectively. From day 9 to day 26, half of the rats in each group were fed food containing OFO, where the lipid peroxidation can induce intestinal oxidative stress. OFO administration resulted in diarrhea, decreased growth performance (p < 0.01), impaired jejunal morphology (p < 0.05) and antioxidant capacity (p < 0.01), increased the levels of ROS and its related products, IL-1β and IL-17 (p < 0.01) of jejunum, as well as down-regulated Bcl-2/Bax (p < 0.01) and Nrf2 signaling (p < 0.01) of jejunum in rats. BPP gavage effectively alleviated the negative effects of OFO on growth performance, morphology, enterocyte apoptosis, antioxidant capacity and inflammation of jejunum (p < 0.05) in rats. In the oxidative stress model cell assay, the use of receptor inhibitors inhibited the enhancement of antioxidant capacity by BPP. These results suggested that BPP protected intestinal morphology, thus improving growth performance and reducing diarrhea in rats ingesting OFO. This protective effect may be attributed to scavenging free radicals and activating the Nrf2 pathway, which enhances antioxidant capacity, consequently reducing inflammation and mitigating intestinal cell death.

Human milk oligosaccharide lacto-N-tetraose: Physiological functions and synthesis methods

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) have attracted considerable attention due to their unique role in boosting infant health. Among the HMOs, lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) is a significant constituent associated with various health benefits, such as prebiotic effects, antiadhesive antimicrobials, antiviral protection, and immune modulators. LNT has received a "Generally Recognized as Safe" status by the American Food and Drug Administration and was approved as a food ingredient for infant formula. However, the limited availability of LNT poses a major challenge for its application in food and medicine. In this review, we first explored the physiological functions of LNT. Next, we describe several synthesis methods for production of LNT, including chemical, enzymatic, and cell factory approaches, and summarize the pivotal research results. Finally, challenges and opportunities for the large-scale synthesis of LNT were discussed.

The effect of dietary Yucca schidigera extract supplementation on productive performance, egg quality, and gut health in laying hens with Clostridium perfringens and coccidia challenge

Yucca schidigera extract (YSE) is a green feed additive that is known to reduce toxic gas emissions and promote intestinal health in animal production. This study investigated the potential of dietary YSE supplementation to mitigate the negative effect of Clostridium perfringens and coccidia infection on productive performance and gut health in laying hens. A total of 48 Lohmann gray laying hens (35 wk of age) were randomly allotted to 1 of 2 groups (n = 24) fed with either a basal diet or a YSE-supplemented diet for 45 d. From d 36 to 45, half of the hens in each group were orally administrated with Clostridium perfringens type A and coccidia. This challenge impaired productive performance and egg quality (P < 0.05), destroyed jejunal morphology and functions (P < 0.05), induced jejunal epithelial cell apoptosis (P < 0.05), and downregulated the antioxidant capacity and Nrf2 pathway expression of jejunal mucosa (P < 0.05) in laying hens. Supplementing YSE in the laying hen diet, to some extents, improved productive performance and egg quality (P < 0.05), and alleviated the effect of challenge on morphology, functions, cell apoptosis, and antioxidant capacity in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Overall, the results suggested that dietary YSE supplementation might mitigate the negative effects of Clostridium perfringens and coccidia infection on gut health, and thereby improve the productive performance and egg quality of laying hens, possibly through enhancing the antioxidant capacity of the jejunum.

Advances in the development of antivirals for rotavirus infection

Rotavirus (RV) causes 200,000 deaths per year and imposes a serious burden to public health and livestock farming worldwide. Currently, rehydration (oral and intravenous) remains the main strategy for the treatment of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE), and no specific drugs are available. This review discusses the viral replication cycle in detail and outlines possible therapeutic approaches including immunotherapy, probiotic-assisted therapy, anti-enteric secretory drugs, Chinese medicine, and natural compounds. We present the latest advances in the field of rotavirus antivirals and highlights the potential use of Chinese medicine and natural compounds as therapeutic agents. This review provides an important reference for rotavirus prevention and treatment.

Purification and Structure Characterization of the Crude Polysaccharide from the Fruiting Bodies of Butyriboletus pseudospeciosus and Its Modulation Effects on Gut Microbiota

Polysaccharides from the species of Boletaceae (Boletales, Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) are economically significant to both functional foods and medicinal industries. The crude polysaccharide from Butyriboletus pseudospeciosus (BPP) was prepared, and its physicochemical properties were characterized through the use of consecutive experimental apparatus, and its impact on the gut microbiota of Kunming mice was evaluated. Analyses of the structure characteristics revealed that BPP was mainly composed of Man, Glc, and Gal, possessing the pyranose ring and β/α-glycosidic linkages. TG analysis exhibited that BPP had great heat stability. The SEM observation performed demonstrated that BPP appeared with a rough, dense, and porous shape. Through the BPP intervention, the serum and fecal biochemical index in mice can be improved obviously (p < 0.05). The abundance of beneficial microbiota in the BPP-treated group was significantly increased, while the abundance of harmful microbiota was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Based on the Tax4Fun, we also revealed the relationship between the species of gut microbiota and showed that the high dose of BPP has significantly changed the functional diversities compared with those in other groups (p < 0.05). The results suggest that B. pseudospeciosus could serve as potential functional food or medicine.

Effect of Dietary Lactose Supplementation on Growth Performance and Intestinal Epithelium Functions in Weaned Pigs Challenged by Rotavirus

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether dietary lactose supplementation relieves rotavirus (RV)-induced diarrhea and gut dysfunction. Thirty-six crossbred weaned piglets were randomly allocated into three groups and fed diets containing 0, 4%, and 6% lactose for 20 days. On Day 15, half of the piglets in each group were orally infused with RV. RV infection impaired growth performance; induced severe diarrhea; decreased serum D-xylose concentration and morphology and sIgA level of jejunal mucosa; downregulated MUC1, MUC2, occludin, Bcl-2, IL-4, pBD3, pBD2, and pBD1 mRNA expression of jejunal mucosa and/or mesenteric lymph nodes; upregulated Bax, caspase-3, IL-2, IFN-γ, and IFN-β mRNA expression of jejunal mucosa and/or mesenteric lymph nodes; and damaged microbiota and metabolites of cecal digesta in weaned piglets (p < 0.05). Dietary lactose supplementation improved nutrient digestibility and growth performance and relieved the negative influence of RV challenge on intestinal barrier function, mRNA expression of cytokines, and host defense peptides of jejunal mucosa and/or mesenteric lymph nodes in weaned piglets (p < 0.05). Dietary administration of 6% lactose tended to relieve diarrhea (p = 0.07). These results suggest that lactose in feed increases growth performance and has a tendency to alleviate RV-induced diarrhea, derived from the improvement of nutrient utilization, gut barrier function, and immunity.

Lentinan -triggered butyrate-producing bacteria drive the expulsion of the intestinal helminth Trichinella spiralis in mice

Trichinellosis caused by Trichinella spiralis is a serious zoonosis with a worldwide distribution. Lentinan (LNT) is known to modulate the intestinal environment with noted health benefits, yet the effect of LNT against intestinal helminth is unknown. In our study, we first observed that LNT could trigger worm expulsion by promoting mucus layer functions through alteration of gut microbiota. LNT restored the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria altered by T. spiralis infection to the control group level. Interestingly, LNT triggered the production of butyrate. Then, we determined the deworming capacity of probiotics (butyrate-producing bacteria) in mice. Collectively, these findings indicated that LNT could modulate intestinal dysbiosis by T. spiralis, drive the expulsion of intestinal helminth and provided an easily implementable strategy to improve the host defence against T. spiralis infection.

Anti-Influenza Effect and Mechanisms of Lentinan in an ICR Mouse Model

Influenza virus is a serious threat to global human health and public health security. There is an urgent need to develop new anti-influenza drugs. Lentinan (LNT) has attracted increasing attention in recent years. As potential protective agent, LNT has been shown to have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. However, there has been no further research into the anti-influenza action of lentinan in vivo, and the mechanism is still not fully understood. In this study, the anti-influenza effect and mechanism of Lentinan were studied in the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mouse model. The results showed that Lentinan had a high degree of protection in mice against infection with influenza A virus, delayed the emergence of clinical manifestations, improved the survival rate of mice, significantly prolonged the middle survival days, attenuated the weight loss, and reduced the lung coefficient of mice. It alleviated the pathological damage of mice infected with the influenza virus and improved blood indices. Lentinan treatment considerably inhibited inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6) levels in the serum and lung and improved IFN-γ cytokine levels, which reduced cytokine storms caused by influenza virus infection. The underlying mechanisms of action involved Lentinan inhibiting the inflammatory response by regulating the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway. This study provides a foundation for the clinical application of Lentinan, and provides new insight into the development of novel immunomodulators.

Lentinan alleviates arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity in mice via downregulation of OX40/IL-17A and activation of Nrf2 signaling

Background

Arsenic, existing ubiquitously in soil, drinking water, or food, is well known to be an environmental pollutants concerned by European Food Safety Authority. Lentinan, a beta-1,6;1,3-glucan extracts from Lentinus edodes, which has the properties of antioxidant and immunomodulation, present study explored the pharmacological effects of Lentinan on arsenic induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

Methods

Mice experiments were performed by sodium arsenite (SA) treatment or Lentinan intervention, then histopathology, ELISA, Flow Cytometry, or Western-Blotting were applied to evaluate hepatic injury, oxidative stress, CD4⁺ type 17 helper T (Th17) cells, CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs), T cells receptor OX40/CD134, IL-17A, NLRP3, Nrf2, and NQO1.

Results

SA treatment showed hepatic pathological injury and the elevations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum, and induced the increases of malondialdehyde (MDA), Th17 cells, OX40 or IL-17A in liver tissues, which were consistently ameliorated by Lentinan intervention. Further, immunoblotting experiments showed that Lentinan intervention downregulated the levels of OX40, IL-17A, and NLRP3 signals, while elevated the levels of anti-oxidative Nrf2, NQO1 signals compared to arsenic treatment group. For Tregs, Lentinan intervention showed no significant difference from SA treatment group.

Conclusion

Lentinan antagonizes SA-induced hepatotoxicity in mice, may be involved in the downregulations of pro-inflammatory OX40 or IL-17A and the activation of anti-oxidative Nrf2, NQO1 signals.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40360-022-00557-7.

A Mixture of Valine and Isoleucine Restores the Growth of Protein-Restricted Pigs Likely through Improved Gut Development, Hepatic IGF-1 Pathway, and Plasma Metabolomic Profile

Valine (Val) alone or in combination with isoleucine (Ile) improves the growth under severe protein restriction; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we assessed whether Val/Ile-induced growth in protein-restricted pigs is associated with changes in gut development, hepatic insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) production, and blood metabolomics. Forty piglets were assigned to five dietary groups: positive control (PC) with standard protein content; low protein (LP) with very low protein content; and LP supplemented with Val (LPV), Ile (LPI), and Val and Ile (LPVI). LPVI reversed the negative effects of VLP diets on growth and gut morphology. Both LPV and LPVI restored the reduced transcript of IGF-1 while decreasing the transcript of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) in the liver. LPV and LPVI recovered the reduced plasma Val, glycine, and leucine concentrations, which were positively correlated with improved gut morphology and the hepatic IGF-1 gene expression and negatively correlated with hepatic IGFBP1 mRNA abundance. In conclusion, supplementation with a combination of Val and Ile into the VLP diets restored the decreased growth performance of pigs fed with these diets likely through improved gut development, hepatic IGF-1 expression and bioavailability, and plasma metabolomics profile.

Modulatory effects of polysaccharides from plants, marine algae and edible mushrooms on gut microbiota and related health benefits: A review

Naturally occurring carbohydrate polymers containing non-starch polysaccharides (NPs) are a class of biomacromolecules isolated from plants, marine algae, and edible mushrooms, and their biological activities has shown potential uses in the prevention and treatment of human diseases. Importantly, NPs serve as prebiotics to provide health benefits to the host through stimulating the proliferation of beneficial gut microbiota (GM) and enhancing the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The composition and diversity of GM play a critical role in regulating host health and have been extensively studied in recent years. In this review, the extraction, isolation, purification, and structural characterization of NPs derived from plants, marine algae, and edible mushrooms are outlined. Importantly, the degradation and metabolism of these NPs in the intestinal tract, the effects of NPs on the microbial community and SCFAs generation, and the beneficial effects of NPs on host health by modulating GM are systematically highlighted. Overall, we hope that this review can provide some theoretical references and a new perspective for applications of NPs as prebiotics in functional food and drug development.

Pharmacological Applications and Action Mechanisms of Phytochemicals as Alternatives to Antibiotics in Pig Production

Antibiotics are widely used for infectious diseases and feed additives for animal health and growth. Antibiotic resistant caused by overuse of antibiotics poses a global health threat. It is urgent to choose safe and environment-friendly alternatives to antibiotics to promote the ecological sustainable development of the pig industry. Phytochemicals are characterized by little residue, no resistance, and minimal side effects and have been reported to improve animal health and growth performance in pigs, which may become a promising additive in pig production. This paper summarizes the biological functions of recent studies of phytochemicals on growth performance, metabolism, antioxidative capacity, gut microbiota, intestinal mucosa barrier, antiviral, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, detoxification of mycotoxins, as well as their action mechanisms in pig production. The review may provide the theoretical basis for the application of phytochemicals functioning as alternative antibiotic additives in the pig industry.

Lentinan Attenuates Damage of the Small Intestinal Mucosa, Liver, and Lung in Mice with Gut-Origin Sepsis

This study is aimed at exploring the effects of lentinan on small intestinal mucosa as well as lung and liver injury in mice with gut-origin sepsis. Cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) were used to construct a mouse model of gut-origin sepsis. The mice were randomly divided into six groups: sham operation group (sham), gut-origin sepsis model group (CLP), ulinastatin-positive drug control group (UTI), lentinan low concentration group (LTN-L, 5 mg/kg), lentinan medium concentration group (LTN-M, 10 mg/kg), and lentinan high concentration group (LTN-H, 20 mg/kg). H&E staining was used to detect the pathological damage of the small intestine, liver, and lung. The serum of mice in each group was collected to detect the expression changes of inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress biomarkers, and liver function indexes. In vitro assessment of bacterial translocation was achieved through inoculated culture media. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression of molecules related to the NF-κB signaling pathway in the small intestine tissues of mice. The results showed that compared with the CLP group, the injury degree of the small intestine, liver, and lung in mice with gut-origin sepsis was improved with the increase of lentinan concentration. In addition, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and HMGB1 were decreased with the increase of lentinan concentration, but the expression of IL-10 was increased. Lentinan could also reduce the expression of oxidative stress injury indexes and liver function indexes and inhibit bacterial translocation to liver and lung tissues. Further mechanism investigation revealed that lentinan downregulated the expression of the NF-κB signaling pathway molecules (NF-κB, TLR4, and Bax) and upregulated the expression of occludin and Bcl-2. In conclusion, lentinan inhibits the activity of the NF-κB signaling pathway, thus attenuating injuries of small intestinal mucosa and liver and lung in mice with gut-origin sepsis and reducing the inflammatory response in the process of sepsis.

Yucca schidigera extract decreases nitrogen emission via improving nutrient utilisation and gut barrier function in weaned piglets

Yucca schidigera extract (YE) can decrease ammonia concentration in livestock housing, which could be associated with the inhibition of urease. The aim of this study was to investigate the other possible reasons of dietary YE supplementation reducing nitrogen emission in weaned piglets. A total of 14 crossbred weaned barrows were allotted into two groups fed the diets supplementing 0 and 120 mg/kg YE for 14 days. The YE administration decreased F/G ratio and hindgut NH₃ -N production in weaned piglets (p < 0.05). Dietary YE supplementation decreased serum urea nitrogen levels, and increased nutrient digestibility, which could be related to the improvement of morphology, digestive and absorptive enzyme activities, and nutrient transporter mRNA expression in jejunal mucosa of weaned piglets (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression of tight junction proteins, mucins and apoptosis-related genes was also improved by YE treatment in jejunal mucosa of weaned piglets (p < 0.05). In addition, dietary YE supplementation regulated the microbiota structure and volatile fatty acid content in distal intestine of weaned piglets (p < 0.05). These results suggest that YE administration can decrease hindgut NH₃ -N production in weaned piglets, which is associated with the increased nutrient utilization and gut-barrier function.

Fermentation Supernatants of Pleurotus eryngii Mushroom Ameliorate Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Caco-2 Cells via Upregulation of Tight Junctions

In recent years, modulation of gut microbiota through prebiotics has garnered interest as a potential to ameliorate intestinal barrier dysfunction. The aim of the study was to examine the in vitro effect of fermentation supernatants (FSs) from rich in β-glucan Pleurotus eryngii mushrooms on the expression levels of tight junctions (TJs) genes in Caco-2 cells stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Mushrooms were fermented using fecal inocula in an in vitro batch culture model. Caco-2 cells were subjected to LPS and FS treatment under three different conditions: pre-incubation with FS, co- and post-incubation. Reverse transcription PCR was applied to measure the expression levels of zonulin-1, occludin and claudin-1 genes. FSs from P. eryngii mushrooms led to a significant upregulation of the TJs gene expression in pre-incubation state, indicating potential preventive action. Down-regulation of all TJs gene expression levels was observed when the cells were challenged with LPS. The FS negative control (gut microbiota of each donor with no carbohydrate source) exhibited a significant upregulation of TJs expression levels compared to the cells that were challenged with LPS, for all three conditions. Overall, our data highlighted the positive and potential protective effects of P. eryngii mushrooms in upregulation of TJs’ genes.

Edible Mushrooms and Beta-Glucans: Impact on Human Health

Mushroom cell walls are rich in β-glucans, long or short-chain polymers of glucose subunits with β-1,3 and β-1,6 linkages, that are responsible for the linear and branching structures, respectively. β-glucans from cereals, at variance, have no 1,6 linkages nor branching structures. Both immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of mushrooms have been described using purified β-glucans or fungi extracts on cellular and experimental models; their potential clinical use has been tested in different conditions, such as recurrent infections of the respiratory tract or complications of major surgery. Another promising application of β-glucans is on cancer, as adjuvant of conventional chemotherapy. β-glucans may protect the cardiovascular system, ameliorating glucose, lipid metabolism, and blood pressure: these activities, observed for oat and barley β-glucans, require confirmation in human studies with mushroom β-glucans. On the other hand, mushrooms may also protect the cardiovascular system via a number of other components, such as bioactive phenolic compounds, vitamins, and mineral elements. The growing knowledge on the mechanism(s) and health benefits of mushrooms is encouraging the development of a potential clinical use of β-glucans, and also to further document their role in preserving health and prevent disease in the context of healthy lifestyles.

Protective effects of sodium butyrate on rotavirus inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis via PERK-eIF2α signaling pathway in IPEC-J2 cells

BACKGROUND

Rotavirus (RV) is a major pathogen that causes severe gastroenteritis in infants and young animals. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and subsequent apoptosis play pivotal role in virus infection. However, the protective mechanisms of intestinal damage caused by RV are poorly defined, especially the molecular pathways related to enterocytes apoptosis. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of sodium butyrate (SB) on RV-induced apoptosis of IPEC-J2 cells.

RESULTS

The RV infection led to significant cell apoptosis, increased the expression levels of ER stress (ERS) markers, phosphorylated protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK), eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α), caspase9, and caspase3. Blocking PERK pathway using specific inhibitor GSK subsequently reversed RV-induced cell apoptosis. The SB treatment significantly inhibited RV-induced ERS by decreasing the expression of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), PERK, and eIF2α. In addition, SB treatment restrained the ERS-mediated apoptotic pathway, as indicated by downregulation of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) mRNA level, as well as decreased cleaved caspase9 and caspase3 protein levels. Furthermore, siRNA-induced GPR109a knockdown significantly suppressed the protective effect of SB on RV-induced cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that SB exerts protective effects against RV-induced cell apoptosis through inhibiting ERS mediated apoptosis by regulating PERK-eIF2α signaling pathway via GPR109a, which provide new ideas for the prevention and control of RV.

Lentinan administration alleviates diarrhea of rotavirus-infected weaned pigs via regulating intestinal immunity

BACKGROUND

Lentinan (LNT) may regulate many important physiological functions of human and animals. This study aimed to verify whether LNT administration could relieve diarrhea via improving gut immunity in rotavirus (RV)-challenged weaned pigs.

METHODS

Twenty-eight weaned pigs were randomly fed 2 diets containing 0 or 84 mg/kg LNT product for 19 d (n = 14). RV infection was executed on d 15. After extracting polysaccharides from LNT product, its major monosaccharides were analyzed. Then, LNT polysaccharide was used to administrate RV-infected IPEC-J2 cells.

RESULTS

Dietary LNT supplementation supported normal function of piglets even when infected with RV, as reflected by reduced growth performance loss and diarrhea prevalence, and maintained gut immunity (P < 0.05). The polysaccharide was isolated from LNT product, which molecular weight was 5303 Da, and major monosaccharides included glucose, arabinose and galactose. In RV-infected IPEC-J2 cells, this polysaccharide significantly increased cell viability (P < 0.05), and significantly increased anti-virus immunity via regulating pattern recognition receptors and host defense peptides (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Those results suggest that LNT administration increases the piglets' resistance to RV-induced stress, likely by supporting intestinal immunity.

The effect of dietary pectic oligosaccharide supplementation on intestinal health of broiler breeders with different egg-laying rates

This study was conducted to explore whether dietary pectic oligosaccharide (POS) supplementation could improve gut health of broiler breeders with different egg-laying rates. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used in this study. Two hundred fifty-six Arbor Acres broiler breeders (48 wk of age), including 128 average egg-laying rate and 128 low egg-laying rate (LELR) birds, were randomly fed with the diets supplemented with or without 200 mg kg⁻¹ of POS (n = 8). The trial lasted for 8 wk. Compared with average egg-laying rate broiler breeders, LELR broiler breeders had lower laying rate and qualified egg rate (P < 0.05), higher egg weight and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05), higher malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the jejunum (P < 0.05), higher IL-6 (P < 0.05) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (P = 0.07) mRNA expressions in the jejunal mucosa, and lower microflora diversity in cecal digesta. Dietary POS supplementation increased egg weight of broiler breeders (P < 0.05), enhanced superoxide dismutase activity in the jejunum (P < 0.05), decreased MDA level in the jejunum (P < 0.05), upregulated zonula occluden 1 mRNA expression in the jejunal mucosa (P < 0.05), downregulated IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expressions in the jejunal mucosa (P < 0.05), and regulated relative abundance of some microbiota (including the phylum and genus, P < 0.05). In addition, in LELR broiler breeders, POS administration enhanced villus height (P = 0.08) and ZO-2 mRNA expression (P = 0.09) in the jejunal mucosa, alleviated the increasing MDA level in the jejunum (P < 0.05) and IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expressions in the jejunal mucosa (P < 0.05), and regulated relative abundance of some microbiota (including the phylum and genus, P < 0.05). These results suggest that supplementing POS in diets may elevate gut health via improvement of intestinal barrier function, antioxidant capacity, and microbiota composition in broiler breeders with different egg-laying rates.

Effects of Maternal Fiber Intake on Intestinal Morphology, Bacterial Profile and Proteome of Newborns Using Pig as Model

Dietary fiber intake during pregnancy may improve offspring intestinal development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal high fiber intake during late gestation on intestinal morphology, microbiota, and intestinal proteome of newborn piglets. Sixteen sows were randomly allocated into two groups receiving the control diet (CD) and high-fiber diet (HFD) from day 90 of gestation to farrowing. Newborn piglets were selected from each litter, named as CON and Fiber group, respectively. Maternal high fiber intake did not markedly improve the birth weight, but increased the body length, the ileal crypt depth and colonic acetate level. In addition, maternal high fiber intake increased the -diversity indices (Observed species, Simpson, and ACE), and the abundance of Acidobacteria and Bacteroidetes at phylum level, significantly increased the abundance of Bradyrhizobium and Phyllobacterium at genus level in the colon of newborn piglets. Moreover, maternal high fiber intake markedly altered the ileal proteome, increasing the abundances of proteins associated with oxidative status, energy metabolism, and immune and inflammatory responses, and decreasing abundances of proteins related to cellular apoptosis, cell structure, and motility. These findings indicated that maternal high fiber intake could alter intestinal morphology, along with the altered intestinal microbiota composition and proteome of offspring.

Effects of Drinking Water Temperature and Flow Rate during Cold Season on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Cecum Microflora of Weaned Piglets

Simple Summary

Water is an essential nutrient pigs need to sustain life and ensure growth. Determining the appropriate drinking water supply parameters during cold weather are critical for the welfare and growth of pigs, especially vulnerable weaned piglets. This study explored different combinations of drinking water temperature (DWT) and flow rate (DWF) for weaned piglets during winter. It measured their growth performance, nutrient digestibility and cecum microbial diversity, aiming to figure out the optimal water supplying conditions for weaned piglets. The results indicated that a combination of DWT of 30 °C and DWF of 300 mL/min decreased diarrhea occurrence. Furthermore, this increased growth performance and nutrient digestibility, accompanied by improvement of the dominant cecum microflora, mainly manifested in a reduced abundance of Proteobacteria and increased abundance of Bacteroidetes. This study enriches our understanding of the connection between water supply, growth performance and cecum microbiota on weaned piglets during the cold season.

Abstract

Although water is one of the most important nutrients and is essential for various physiological processes within the body, it does not receive adequate consideration when ensuring optimal nutrition and growth performance in piglets. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of drinking water temperature (DWT) and flow rate (DWF) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and cecum microflora in weaned piglets during cold weather. Sixty-four piglets with an average body weight of 8.60 ± 0.5 kg were allotted into four groups with four replicates in each group and four pigs in each replicate. The DWT and DWF were set for each group as follows: (1) 13 °C + 300 mL/min, (2) 13 °C + 700 mL/min, (3) 30 °C + 300 mL/min and (4) 30 °C + 700 mL/min, respectively. All groups were fed the same diet during the 28 d trial. The body weight at day 0 and day 29, as well as daily feed intake, were recorded. Diarrhea severity was assessed every day. Fresh fecal samples were collected for four consecutive days at the end of the experiment for the digestibility test. Cecum content was collected after sacrifice for microbial composition analysis. The results indicated that: (1) DWT at 30 °C promoted the average daily gain (ADG) of weaned piglets considerably (p = 0.043) and decreased feed to weight ratio when compared with DWT at 13 °C (p = 0.045). DWF had no substantial effect on the growth performance of piglets (p > 0.05). (2) The 30 °C DWT groups had higher apparent digestibility of crude protein, crude fat and energy than the 13 °C DWT groups (p < 0.05), while DWF had no significant effect on the apparent digestibility of nutrients (p > 0.05). (3) DWT at 30 °C increased the Bacteroidetes abundance and decreased the Proteobacteria abundance in cecum digesta. The change in these two factors may be related to a decrease in diarrhea and the improvement of growth performance. Different DWF had no substantial effect on the cecum microbial structure. To sum up, providing a DWT of 30 °C to weaned piglets in cold weather reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria in the cecum and improved the apparent nutrient digestibility, which is beneficial for maintaining a healthy intestinal microenvironment and promoting growth performance. A lower DWF of 300 mL/min had no adverse effect on growth performance. Therefore, a combination of 30 °C + 300 mL/min is recommended for weaned piglets during cold weather for the consideration of animal welfare and production efficiency.

Dietary pectic oligosaccharide supplementation improves rat reproductive performance via regulating intestinal volatile fatty acids during middle gestation

As a kind of green additive, pectic oligosaccharide (POS) may regulate some physiological functions of animals, such as gut health, antioxidant capacity, immunity and lipid metabolism. This study aimed to identify whether POS administration can improve maternal reproduction, and to determine the possible metabolism. A total of 48 pregnant Wistar rats randomly allotted into 2 groups, and each group was fed a diet supplemented with 0 or 800 mg/kg of POS. Pectic oligosaccharide administration increased rat born number (P < 0.05), did not affect rat embryo number on d 7 of gestation, but increased rat fetus number on d 14 of gestation (P < 0.05). On d 14 of gestation, POS treatment improved Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations and volatile fatty acid concentrations of cecal digesta (P < 0.05), hormone (progesterone and nitric oxide) and cytokine (interleukin 2) concentrations of serum (P < 0.05), and antioxidant capacity of serum (increased total antioxidant capacity and decreased malondialdehyde) and placenta (increased total superoxide dismutase, decreased malondialdehyde) (P < 0.05) in pregnant rats. These results suggest that POS administration improved rat reproduction via decreasing fetus loss in middle gestation. This was due to the increased volatile fatty acid concentrations in rat gut improving hormone and inflammatory-cytokine productions, and antioxidant capacity.

16α-Hydroxytrametenolic Acid from Poria cocos Improves Intestinal Barrier Function Through the Glucocorticoid Receptor-Mediated PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Pathway

This study evaluated the effect of triterpenoids from edible mushroom Poria cocos on intestinal epithelium integrity and revealed the transcriptional regulatory pathways that underpin restorative mechanisms in the gut. Based on computational docking studies, transcriptional activation experiments and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein immunofluorescence localization assays in cultured cells, 16α-hydroxytrametenolic acid (HTA) was discovered as a novel GR agonist in this study. HTA ameliorates TNF-α-induced Caco-2 monolayer intestinal epithelial barrier damage and suppressed activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt), which attenuated downstream IκB and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) phosphorylation through GR activation. Moreover, HTA prevented NF-κB translocation into the nucleus and binding to its cis-element and suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced downstream NO production and pro-inflammatory cytokines at both protein and mRNA expression levels. In conclusion, HTA from P. cocos improves intestinal barrier function through a GR-mediated PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway and may be potentially exploited as a supportive dietary therapeutic strategy for restoring gut health.