Potential Application of Lonicera japonica Extracts in Animal Production: From the Perspective of Intestinal Health

Effects of Dietary Lonicera flos and Sucutellaria baicalensis Mixed Extracts Supplementation on Reproductive Performance, Umbilical Cord Blood Parameters, Colostrum Ingredients and Immunoglobulin Contents of Late-Pregnant Sows

The present study aimed to determine the effects of dietary Lonicera flos and Sucutellaria baicalensis mixed extract (LSE) supplementation during the late-pregnancy period on the reproductive performance, umbilical cord blood hematological parameters, umbilical cord serum biochemical parameters, immune indices, hormone levels, colostrum ingredients, and immunoglobulin contents of sows. A total of 40 hybrid pregnant sows were randomly assigned to the control group (CON; sows fed a basal diet) and LSE group (LSE; sows fed a basal diet supplemented with 500 g/t PE). The results indicated that dietary LSE supplementation significantly increased (p < 0.05) the number of alive and healthy piglets and the litter weight at birth, and significantly increased (p < 0.05) the platelet counts in umbilical cord blood. Dietary LSE supplementation significantly increased (p < 0.05) the levels of prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH), and the content of interleukin 2 (IL-2) in umbilical cord serum. Moreover, immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) in the colostrum were increased with PE supplementation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary LSE supplementation in late-pregnancy sows could improve reproductive performance and colostrum quality, and could also regulate the levels of reproductive hormone in umbilical cord serum.

Lonicera japonica Thunb. Ethanol Extract Exerts a Protective Effect on Normal Human Gastric Epithelial Cells by Modulating the Activity of Tumor-Necrosis-Factor-α-Induced Inflammatory Cyclooxygenase 2/Prostaglandin E2 and Matrix Metalloproteinase 9

Gastric inflammation-related disorders are commonly observed digestive system illnesses characterized by the activation of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). This results in the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E2 (PEG2) and matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9). These factors contribute to the pathogenesis of gastric inflammation disorders. We examined the preventive effects of Lonicera japonica Thunb. ethanol extract (Lj-EtOH) on gastric inflammation induced by TNF-α in normal human gastric mucosa epithelial cells (GES-1). The GES-1 cell line was used to establish a model that simulated the overexpression of COX-2/PGE2 and MMP-9 proteins induced by TNF-α to examine the anti-inflammatory properties of Lj extracts. The results indicated that Lj-EtOH exhibits significant inhibitory effects on COX-2/PEG2 and MMP-9 activity, attenuates cell migration, and provides protection against TNF-α-induced gastric inflammation. The protective effects of Lj-EtOH are associated with the modulation of COX-2/PEG2 and MMP-9 through the activation of TNFR-ERK 1/2 signaling pathways as well as the involvement of c-Fos and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Based on our findings, Lj-EtOH exhibits a preventive effect on human gastric epithelial cells. Consequently, it may represent a novel treatment for the management of gastric inflammation.

Probiotic Roles of Clostridium butyricum in Piglets: Considering Aspects of Intestinal Barrier Function

China, as the global leader in pork production and consumption, is faced with challenges in ensuring sustainable and wholesome growth of the pig industry while also guaranteeing meat food safety amidst the ban on antibiotics usage in animal feed. The focus of the pig industry lies in guaranteeing piglet health and enhancing overall production performance through nutrition regulation. Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum), a new type of probiotic, possesses characteristics such as heat resistance, acid resistance, and bile-salt tolerance, meaning it has potential as a feed additive. Previous studies have demonstrated that C. butyricum has a probiotic effect on piglets and can serve as a substitute for antibiotics. The objective of this study was to review the probiotic role of C. butyricum in the production of piglets, specifically focusing on intestinal barrier function. Through this review, we explored the probiotic effects of C. butyricum on piglets from the perspective of intestinal health. That is, C. butyricum promotes intestinal health by regulating the functions of the mechanical barrier, chemical barrier, immune barrier, and microbial barrier of piglets, thereby improving the growth of piglets. This review can provide a reference for the rational utilization and application of C. butyricum in swine production.

Maternal Supplementation with Ornithine Promotes Placental Angiogenesis and Improves Intestinal Development of Suckling Piglets

The blood vessels of the placenta are crucial for fetal growth. Here, lower vessel density and ornithine (Orn) content were observed in placentae for low-birth-weight fetuses versus normal-birth-weight fetuses at day 75 of gestation. Furthermore, the Orn content in placentae decreased from day 75 to 110 of gestation. To investigate the role of Orn in placental angiogenesis, 48 gilts (Bama pig) were allocated into four groups. The gilts in the control group were fed a basal diet (CON group), while those in the experimental groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.05% Orn (0.05% Orn group), 0.10% Orn (0.10% Orn group), and 0.15% Orn (0.15% Orn group), respectively. The results showed that 0.15% Orn and 0.10% Orn groups exhibited increased birth weight of piglets compared with the CON group. Moreover, the 0.15% Orn group was higher than the CON group in the blood vessel densities of placenta. Mechanistically, Orn facilitated placental angiogenesis by regulating vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). Furthermore, maternal supplementation with 0.15% Orn during gestation increased the jejunal and ileal villi height and the concentrations of colonic propionate and butyrate in suckling piglets. Collectively, these results showed that maternal supplementation with Orn promotes placental angiogenesis and improves intestinal development of suckling piglets.

Improvement in gravel-mulched land soil nutrient and bacterial community diversity with Lonicera japonica

Gravel-mulched land in China suffers from poor natural resources and fragile ecological environment, posing a challenge to effective restoration of ecological function. Lonicera japonica, a traditional Chinese herb used for treating human diseases, is a highly adaptable and resilient plant species, can effectively improve the soil properties, and may have important implications for the ecology and economy of gravel-mulched land. A study was conducted in a gravel-mulched field to measure the impact of planting the L. japonica (including control (CK), 1-year, 2-year, and 4-year cultivation of plants) on (i) dynamic changes in soil nutrient and enzyme activity properties, and (ii) soil rhizosphere microbial community structure characteristics. We found that the concentration of soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium in L. japonica soil after cultivation for 1-4 years increased by 11-409%. The urease, phosphatase and catalase activities were increased by 11-560%, with the highest nutrient concentration and enzyme activity in 4-year plants. The pH value gradually decreased after cultivation. The improved soil environments increased soil bacterial community diversity. Planting L. japonica significantly increased the bacterial ACE, Chao1 index, Simpson index, and Shannon-Wiener index. The Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were observed in dominant phyla. The relative abundance of eight genera, including Streptococcus, Veillonella and Rothia, was significantly reduced by more than 1%. Taken together, these soil indicators suggest that planting L. japonica in the short term would be a cost-effective strategy to combat soil degradation in a gravel-mulched ecosystem.

Genome-wide analysis of the MADS-box gene family in Lonicera japonica and a proposed floral organ identity model

BACKGROUND

Lonicera japonica Thunb. is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Medicinal L. japonica mainly consists of dried flower buds and partially opened flowers, thus flowers are an important quality indicator. MADS-box genes encode transcription factors that regulate flower development. However, little is known about these genes in L. japonica.

RESULTS

In this study, 48 MADS-box genes were identified in L. japonica, including 20 Type-I genes (8 Mα, 2 Mβ, and 10 Mγ) and 28 Type-II genes (26 MIKCc and 2 MIKC*). The Type-I and Type-II genes differed significantly in gene structure, conserved domains, protein structure, chromosomal distribution, phylogenesis, and expression pattern. Type-I genes had a simpler gene structure, lacked the K domain, had low protein structure conservation, were tandemly distributed on the chromosomes, had more frequent lineage-specific duplications, and were expressed at low levels. In contrast, Type-II genes had a more complex gene structure; contained conserved M, I, K, and C domains; had highly conserved protein structure; and were expressed at high levels throughout the flowering period. Eleven floral homeotic MADS-box genes that are orthologous to the proposed Arabidopsis ABCDE model of floral organ identity determination, were identified in L. japonica. By integrating expression pattern and protein interaction data for these genes, we developed a possible model for floral organ identity determination.

CONCLUSION

This study genome-widely identified and characterized the MADS-box gene family in L. japonica. Eleven floral homeotic MADS-box genes were identified and a possible model for floral organ identity determination was also developed. This study contributes to our understanding of the MADS-box gene family and its possible involvement in floral organ development in L. japonica.

Extraction, Purification, Structural Characteristics, Health Benefits, and Application of the Polysaccharides from Lonicera japonica Thunb.: A Review

Lonicera japonica Thunb. is a widely distributed plant with ornamental, economic, edible, and medicinal values. L. japonica is a phytoantibiotic with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and a potent therapeutic effect on various infectious diseases. The anti-diabetic, anti-Alzheimer's disease, anti-depression, antioxidative, immunoregulatory, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-gout, and anti-alcohol-addiction effects of L. japonica can also be explained by bioactive polysaccharides isolated from this plant. Several researchers have determined the molecular weight, chemical structure, and monosaccharide composition and ratio of L. japonica polysaccharides by water extraction and alcohol precipitation, enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) and chromatography. This article searched in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Flora of China, Web of Science, PubMed, and CNKI databases within the last 12 years, using "Lonicera. japonica polysaccharides", "Lonicera. japonica Thunb. polysaccharides", and "Honeysuckle polysaccharides" as the key word, systematically reviewed the extraction and purification methods, structural characteristics, structure-activity relationship, and health benefits of L. japonica polysaccharides to provide insights for future studies. Further, we elaborated on the potential applications of L. japonica polysaccharides in the food, medicine, and daily chemical industry, such as using L. japonica as raw material to make lozenges, soy sauce and toothpaste, etc. This review will be a useful reference for the further optimization of functional products developed from L. japonica polysaccharides.

Lonicera japonica polysaccharides improve longevity and fitness of Caenorhabditis elegans by activating DAF-16

Polysaccharide is one of the main active ingredients in Lonicera japonica Thunb. (L. japonica). In this study, we examined the anti-aging activities of L.japonica polysaccharides (LJPs) and further explored the mechanisms. Polysaccharides from L.japonica including the crude LJP (CLJP) and the purified fraction (LJP-2-1) were characterized. The molecular weights of CLJP and LJP-2-1 were 1450 kDa and 1280 kDa, respectively. Meanwhile, CLJP was mainly composed of galacturonic acid (23.57 %), galactose (23.45 %) and arabinose (23.45 %). LJP-2-1 was mainly composed of galacturonic acid (51.25 %) and arabinose (22.89 %). In Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), LJPs maximally prolonged mean lifespan by 13.97 %, promoted fitness with increased motility by 40.92 % and pharyngeal pumping by 25.72 %, and decreased lipofuscin accumulation by 38.9 % with intact body length and fecundity. Moreover, CLJP extended the mean lifespan of nematodes under oxidative and heat stress by 16.76 % and 14.05 % respectively by activating stress-related genes and the antioxidant system. Further, CLJP required DAF-16 to prolong the lifespan of nematodes. CLJP upregulated the expression of daf-16 and its targeted downstream genes, including sod-3, gst-4 and hsp-16.2. Moreover, nuclear accumulation of DAF-16 was promoted upon CLJP treatment. Together, our data uncover the role of LJPs in extending lifespan and healthspan through DAF-16.

Isolation and cytotoxic activities of undescribed iridoid and xanthone glycosides from Centaurium erythraea Rafn. (Gentianaceae)

Centaurium erythraea Rafn. (Gentianaceae) is used in internal traditional therapy as an anthelmintic, hypotensive, antipyretic, and antidiabetic. It is used externally for the treatment of wounds. Ursolic acid, maslinic acid, secologanin, secologanin dimethyl acetal, centauroside A, erythraeaxanthone I, erythraeaxanthone II, and demethyleustomin were isolated from aerial parts of Centaurium erythraea and were identified using spectroscopic methods, including NMR and mass spectrometry. The cytotoxic potency of undescribed compounds was evaluated by the XTT assay against human breast cancer MCF-7, MDA-MB-453 and mouse fibroblast 3T3-L1 cell lines. Erythraeaxanthone II was found to have the most potent cytotoxic activity.

Weaning stress and intestinal health of piglets: A review

Weaning is considered to be one of the most critical periods in pig production, which is related to the economic benefits of pig farms. However, in actual production, many piglets are often subjected to weaning stress due to the sudden separation from the sow, the changes in diet and living environment, and other social challenges. Weaning stress often causes changes in the morphology and function of the small intestine of piglets, disrupts digestion and absorption capacity, destroys intestinal barrier function, and ultimately leads to reduced feed intake, increased diarrhea rate, and growth retardation. Therefore, correctly understanding the effects of weaning stress on intestinal health have important guiding significance for nutritional regulation of intestinal injury caused by weaning stress. In this review, we mainly reviewed the effects of weaning stress on the intestinal health of piglets, from the aspects of intestinal development, and intestinal barrier function, thereby providing a theoretical basis for nutritional strategies to alleviate weaning stress in mammals in future studies.

Dietary Epidermal Growth Factor Supplementation Alleviates Intestinal Injury in Piglets with Intrauterine Growth Retardation via Reducing Oxidative Stress and Enhancing Intestinal Glucose Transport and Barrier Function

EGF plays an important role in the intestinal repair and nutrients transport of animals. However, the effect of EGF on the intestinal health of piglets with IUGR has not been reported. Thus, the present study was performed to investigate the effects of EGF on the intestinal morphology, glucose absorption, antioxidant capacity, and barrier function of piglets with IUGR. A total of 6 NBW piglets and 12 IUGR piglets were randomly divided into three treatments: NC group (NBW piglets fed with basal diet, n = 6), IC group (IUGR piglets fed with basal diet, n = 6), and IE group (IUGR piglets fed with basal diet supplemented with 2 mg/kg EGF, n = 6). Growth performance, serum biochemical profile, jejunum histomorphology, jejunum glucose absorption and antioxidant capacity, and jejunal barrier function were measured. The results showed that EGF supplementation significantly increased the final body weight (FBW), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of piglets with IUGR; EGF supplementation significantly increased the total protein (TP), glucose (GLU), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels compared with the IUGR piglets in the IC group; EGF administration effectively exhibited an increased jejunum villus height (VH) and the villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratio (V/C) of IUGR piglets compared with the IC group; EGF supplementation significantly increased sodium/potassium-transporting adenosine triphosphatase (Na+/K+-ATPase) activity, intestinal alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity, glucose transporter sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), and AMP-activated protein kinase α1 (AMPK-α1) mRNA expressions in the jejunum of IUGR piglets compared with the IC group; EGF supplementation exhibited increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels, tended to increase glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities, and tended to decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the jejunum of IUGR piglets compared with the IC group; EGF supplementation significantly increased ZO-1, Claudin-1, Occludin, and MUC2 mRNA expressions and improved secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA) secretion in the jejunum of IUGR piglets compared with the IC group and tended to decrease the interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels in the jejunum of IUGR piglets compared with the IC group. Pearson’s correlation analysis further showed that EGF can promote intestinal development and nutrient absorption by promoting intestinal barrier function, thus improving the growth performance of IUGR piglets.

Fecal Microbial Changes in Response to Finishing Pigs Directly Fed With Fermented Feed

The present study investigated the effects of fermented complete feed (FCF) on fecal microbial composition during the grower-finisher period. A total of 20 pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, 48.74± 1.49 kg) were divided randomly into two groups: the CN group (pigs fed with a basal diet) and the FCF group (pigs fed with FCF). After a 60-day trial period, 3 pigs with middle-weight from each treatment were selected for fecal sampling and fecal microbiota analysis. The results showed that the FCF significantly increased operational taxonomic units (OUT) numbers, alpha diversity (Simpson index and Shannon index), and beta diversity, which means that FCF increased the fecal microbiota diversity. At the phylum level, the abundance of Tenericutes, Spirochaetae, Verrucomicrobia, and Cyanobacteria were changed in pigs fed with FCF; and at the genus level, the abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Treponema_2, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Prevotellaceae_UCG-003, Phascolarctobacterium, Roseburia, and Prevotella_9 were changed in pigs fed with FCF. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis showed that Roseburia and Prevotella_9 genera were increased, while Tenericutes phyla and Streptococcus, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, and Lactobacillus genera were decreased in the FCF group compared to the CN group. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) results predicted that the relative abundance of infectious diseases: parasitic associated genes, xenobiotics biodegradation, and metabolism-associated genes were significantly reduced in the FCF group when compared with the CN group, and the relative abundance of signal transduction associated genes, amino acid metabolism-related genes, and replication and repair associated genes were significantly higher in the FCF group when compared with the CN group. In addition, the relative abundance of transport and catabolism-associated genes, membrane transport-associated genes, and biosynthesis of other secondary metabolite-associated genes tended to be higher in the FCF group when compared with the CN group; and the relative abundance of immune diseases associated genes tended to be lower in the FCF group when compared with the CN group. In conclusion, the FCF influenced the alpha and beta diversity of the fecal microbiota of pigs.

Curcumin and Intestinal Oxidative Stress of Pigs With Intrauterine Growth Retardation: A Review

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to the slow growth and development of a mammalian embryo/fetus or fetal organs during pregnancy, which is popular in swine production and causes considerable economic losses. Nutritional strategies have been reported to improve the health status and growth performance of IUGR piglets, among which dietary curcumin supplementation is an efficient alternative. Curcumin is a natural lipophilic polyphenol derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa with many biological activities. It has been demonstrated that curcumin promotes intestinal development and alleviates intestinal oxidative damage. However, due to its low bioavailability caused by poor solubility, chemical instability, and rapid degradation, the application of curcumin in animal production is rare. In this manuscript, the structural-activity relationship to enhance the bioavailability, and the nutritional effects of curcumin on intestinal health from the aspect of protecting piglets from IUGR associated intestinal oxidative damage were summarized to provide new insight into the application of curcumin in animal production.

Genome-wide identification, molecular characterization, and gene expression analyses of honeysuckle NHX antiporters suggest their involvement in salt stress adaptation

Background

Ion homeostasis is an essential process for the survival of plants under salt stress. Na⁺/H⁺ antiporters (NHXs) are secondary ion transporters that regulate Na⁺ compartmentalization or efflux reduce Na⁺ toxicity and play a critical role during plant development and stress responses.

Methods and Results

To gain insight into the functional divergence of NHX genes in honeysuckle, a total of seven LjNHX genes were identified on the whole genome level and were renamed according to their chromosomal positions. All LjNHXs possessed the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger domain and the amiloride-binding site was presented in all NHX proteins except LjNHX4. The phylogenetic analysis divided the seven NHX genes into Vac-clade (LjNHX1/2/3/4/5/7) and PM-clade (LjNHX6) based on their subcellular localization and validated by the distribution of conserved protein motifs and exon/intron organization analysis. The protein-protein interaction network showed that LjNHX4/5/6/7 shared the same putatively interactive proteins, including SOS2, SOS3, HKT1, and AVP1. Cis-acting elements and gene ontology (GO) analysis suggested that most LjNHXs involve in the response to salt stress through ion transmembrane transport. The expression profile analysis revealed that the expression levels of LjNHX3/7 were remarkably affected by salinity. These results suggested that LjNHXs play significant roles in honeysuckle development and response to salt stresses.

Conclusions

The theoretical foundation was established in the present study for the further functional characterization of the NHX gene family in honeysuckle.

Efficacy of the Nourishing Yin and Clearing Heat Therapy Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Prevention and Treatment of Radiotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Thirty Randomized Controlled Trials

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of nourishing Yin and clearing heat therapy (NYCH therapy) based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis (RTOM) in nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs). A total of eight online databases were searched from inception to September 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The control group was treated with Western medicine (WM) alone, whereas the experimental group was treated with a combined NYCH and WM therapy. A total of 30 RCTs involving 2562 participants were ultimately included. NYCH therapy combined with conventional WM delayed the onset time (days) of RTOM (MD = 10.80, p < 0.001), and at that time, a higher cumulative radiotherapy dose (Gy) (MD = 5.72, p < 0.001) was completed in the experimental group. The combination regimen also reduced the incidence of severe oral mucositis (Grade III–IV) (RR = 0.25, p < 0.001). In addition, the treatment efficacy of the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group (RR = 1.31, p < 0.001). Compared with the patients in the control group, the experimental group had lower xerostomia scores (MD = -1.07, p < 0.001) and more saliva (MD = 0.36, p < 0.001). NYCH combined with WM improved the efficacy of treating RTOM in NPC. This study provides a sufficient basis for conducting further large RCTs to prove the efficacy of NYCH.

Lonicerae Japonicae Flos Extract Promotes Sleep in Sleep-Deprived and Lipopolysaccharide-Challenged Mice

Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (LJF) is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicines and exhibits anti-viral, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties. The reciprocal relationship between sleep, the immune system and the central nervous system is well-established in the animal models. In this study, we used the mouse model to analyze the beneficial effects of the LJF on the dysregulated sleep-wakefulness cycle in response to acute sleep deprivation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and the potential underlying mechanisms. Polysomnography data showed that LJF increased the time spent in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep during the day under basal conditions. Furthermore, latency to sleep was reduced and the time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was increased during recovery from acute sleep deprivation. Furthermore, LJF-treated mice showed increased REM sleep and altered electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectrum in response to intra-peritoneal injection of LPS. LJF significantly reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the blood serum as well as hippocampus, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) tissues in the LPS-challenged mice by inhibiting microglial activation. Moreover, LJF increased the time spent in REM sleep in the LPS-challenged mice compared to the control mice. These results suggested that LJF stimulated the sleep drive in response to acute sleep deprivation and LPS-induced inflammation, thereby increasing REM sleep for recovery and neuroprotection. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that the clinical potential of LJF in treating sleep disorders related to sleep deprivation and neuro-inflammation.

Intrauterine Growth Retardation Affects Intestinal Health of Suckling Piglets via Altering Intestinal Antioxidant Capacity, Glucose Uptake, Tight Junction, and Immune Responses

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) on the intestinal morphology, intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis, intestinal antioxidant capacity, intestinal glucose absorption capacity, and intestinal barrier function of piglets during the suckling period. A total of eight normal-birth-weight (NBW) piglets and eight IUGR newborn piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) were selected from eight litters, one NBW and one IUGR newborn piglet per litter. In each litter, piglets with birth weight of 1.54 ± 0.04 kg (within one SD of the mean birth weight) were selected as NBW piglets and piglets with birth weight of 0.82 ± 0.03 kg (two SD below the mean birth weight) were selected as IUGR piglets. At 21 days of age, all piglets were killed by exsanguinations for sampling. The results showed the body weight (BW) of IUGR piglets on day 0, day 7, day 14, and day 21, and the body weight gain (BWG) of IUGR piglets was significantly lower than that of NBW piglets. IUGR piglets exhibited impaired intestinal morphology, raised enterocyte apoptosis, and increased oxidative damage. It showed that IUGR leads to a lower antioxidant capacity and glucose absorption in the jejunum. In accordance, IUGR caused the intestinal barrier dysfunction by impairing tight junctions and increasing intestinal inflammatory injury. Collectively, these results add to our understanding that IUGR affects intestinal health of suckling piglets via altering intestinal antioxidant capacity, glucose uptake, tight junction, and immune responses, and the slow growth of piglets with IUGR may be associated with intestinal injury.

Effects of Microbial Fermented Feed on Serum Biochemical Profile, Carcass Traits, Meat Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Profile, and Gut Microbiome Composition of Finishing Pigs

Microbial fermented feed is an important part of feed industry, while little research has focused on the solid-state fermentation of complete feed. Herein, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of fermented complete feed (FCF) on the growth performance, biochemical profile, carcass traits, meat proximate composition, meat amino acid and fatty acid profile, and gut microbiome composition of finishing pigs, thereby providing references for the application of FCF in animal production. Twenty Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire pigs with an average body weight (BW) of 48.74 ± 1.49 kg were divided randomly into control group (pigs received a basal diet, CN, n = 10) and FCF group (pigs fed with FCF, n = 10). The experiment lasted for 60 days. FCF improved the growth performance, which was indicated by a significantly increased final BW, average daily gain and average daily feed intake, and a significantly decreased feed-to-gain ratio. FCF improved biochemical profile, which was indicated by a higher alkaline phosphatase, glucose, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity content. Pigs that received FCF had better carcass traits and meat quality than did pigs that received basal diet, which was indicated by a higher carcass length, crude protein content, lysine content, Glu content, C18:ln9c, C18:2n6c, C20:4n6, and unsaturated fatty acid content and a lower average back-fat thickness, C18:0, and saturated fatty acids. FCF significantly reduced the relative abundances of presumably pathogenic bacteria of phylum Proteobacteria and genus Escherichia–Shigella and enhanced the relative abundances of likely beneficial bacteria of phylum Firmicutes and genus Clostridium. In summary, FCF had a certain effect on the improvement of growth performance, serum biochemical profile, carcass traits, meat proximate composition, amino acid and fatty acid profile, and gut microbiome composition of finishing pigs.