Inulin supplementation induces expression of hypothalamic antioxidant defence genes in weaned piglets

Different Physiochemical Properties of Novel Fibre Sources in the Diet of Weaned Pigs Influence Animal Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Caecal Fermentation

The effect of including micronised fibre sources (FS) differing in fermentability and hydration capacity (HC) on growth performance, faecal digestibility, and caecal fermentation was investigated in piglets. There were four dietary treatments: a control diet (CON) and three treatments differing in the HC and fermentability of FS added at 1.5% to prestarter (28-42 d) and starter (42-61 d) diets. These were: LHC (low-HC by-product-based insoluble fibre (IF) with a prebiotic fraction (PF) from chicory root); MHC (medium-HC by-product-based IF with a PF); and HHC (high-HC non-fermentable wood-based IF with no PF). There were eight replicates per treatment. Over the entire period, LHC and MHC piglets showed a 10% increase in daily growth and feed intake (p ≤ 0.019) and tended to have a reduced feed conversion ratio (p = 0.087) compared to HHC piglets. At 42 d, faecal protein digestibility increased by 5% in the LHC and MHC groups compared with the HHC group (p = 0.035) and did not differ from the CON group. Both LHC and MHC fibres were more fermented in vitro with caecal inocula from 61 d old piglets than HHC fibre (p ≤ 0.003). These results suggest that balanced soluble and insoluble fibre concentrates can improve piglet performance.

The molecular mechanism of polysaccharides in combating major depressive disorder: A comprehensive review

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex psychiatric condition with diverse etiological factors. Typical pathological features include decreased cerebral cortex, subcortical structures, and grey matter volumes, as well as monoamine transmitter dysregulation. Although medications exist to treat MDD, unmet needs persist due to limited efficacy, induced side effects, and relapse upon drug withdrawal. Polysaccharides offer promising new therapies for MDD, demonstrating antidepressant effects with minimal side effects and multiple targets. These include neurotransmitter, neurotrophin, neuroinflammation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and intestinal flora regulation. This review explores the latest advancements in understanding the pharmacological actions and mechanisms of polysaccharides in treating major depression. We discuss the impact of polysaccharides' diverse structures and properties on their pharmacological actions, aiming to inspire new research directions and facilitate the discovery of novel anti-depressive drugs.