Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Clostridium butyricum on Growth Performance, Serum Immunity, Intestinal Morphology, and Microbiota as an Antibiotic Alternative in Weaned Piglets

Uncovering the mechanism of Clostridium butyricum CBX 2021 to improve pig health based on in vivo and in vitro studies

Introduction

As a symbiotic probiotic for the host, Clostridium butyricum (CB) has the potential to strengthen the body's immune system and improve intestinal health. However, the probiotic mechanism of CB is not completely understood. The Clostridium butyricum CBX 2021 strain isolated by our team from a health pig independently exhibits strong butyric acid production ability and stress resistance. Therefore, this study comprehensively investigated the efficacy of CBX 2021 in pigs and its mechanism of improving pig health.

Methods

In this study, we systematically revealed the probiotic effect and potential mechanism of the strain by using various methods such as microbiome, metabolites and transcriptome through animal experiments in vivo and cell experiments in vitro.

Results

Our in vivo study showed that CBX 2021 improved growth indicators such as daily weight gain in weaned piglets and also reduced diarrhea rates. Meanwhile, CBX 2021 significantly increased immunoglobulin levels in piglets, reduced contents of inflammatory factors and improved the intestinal barrier. Subsequently, 16S rRNA sequencing showed that CBX 2021 treatment implanted more butyric acid-producing bacteria (such as Faecalibacterium) in piglets and reduced the number of potentially pathogenic bacteria (like Rikenellaceae RC9_gut_group). With significant changes in the microbial community, CBX 2021 improved tryptophan metabolism and several alkaloids synthesis in piglets. Further in vitro experiments showed that CBX 2021 adhesion directly promoted the proliferation of a porcine intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2). Moreover, transcriptome analysis revealed that bacterial adhesion increased the expression of intracellular G protein-coupled receptors, inhibited the Notch signaling pathway, and led to a decrease in intracellular pro-inflammatory molecules.

Discussion

These results suggest that CBX 2021 may accelerate piglet growth by optimizing the intestinal microbiota, improving metabolic function and enhancing intestinal health.

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.

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum and rumen protected fat on meat quality, oxidative stability, and chemical composition of finishing goats

BACKGROUND

Clostridium butyricum (CB) is a probiotic that can regulate intestinal microbial composition and improve meat quality. Rumen protected fat (RPF) has been shown to increase the dietary energy density and provide essential fatty acids. However, it is still unknown whether dietary supplementation with CB and RPF exerts beneficial effects on growth performance and nutritional value of goat meat. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary CB and RPF supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, oxidative stability, and meat nutritional value of finishing goats. Thirty-two goats (initial body weight, 20.5 ± 0.82 kg) were used in a completely randomized block design with a 2 RPF supplementation (0 vs. 30 g/d) × 2 CB supplementation (0 vs. 1.0 g/d) factorial treatment arrangement. The experiment included a 14-d adaptation and 70-d data and sample collection period. The goats were fed a diet consisted of 400 g/kg peanut seedling and 600 g/kg corn-based concentrate (dry matter basis).

RESULT

Interaction between CB and RPF was rarely observed on the variables measured, except that shear force was reduced (P < 0.05) by adding CB or RPF alone or their combination; the increased intramuscular fat (IMF) content with adding RPF was more pronounced (P < 0.05) with CB than without CB addition. The pH24h (P = 0.009), a* values (P = 0.007), total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.050), glutathione peroxidase activities (P = 0.006), concentrations of 18:3 (P < 0.001), 20:5 (P = 0.003) and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (P = 0.048) were increased, whereas the L* values (P < 0.001), shear force (P = 0.050) and malondialdehyde content (P = 0.044) were decreased by adding CB. Furthermore, CB supplementation increased essential amino acid (P = 0.027), flavor amino acid (P = 0.010) and total amino acid contents (P = 0.024) as well as upregulated the expression of lipoprotein lipase (P = 0.034) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) (P = 0.012), and downregulated the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) (P = 0.034). The RPF supplementation increased dry matter intake (P = 0.005), averaged daily gain (trend, P = 0.058), hot carcass weight (P = 0.046), backfat thickness (P = 0.006), concentrations of 16:0 (P < 0.001) and c9-18:1 (P = 0.002), and decreased the shear force (P < 0.001), isoleucine (P = 0.049) and lysine content (P = 0.003) of meat. In addition, the expressions of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (P = 0.003), fatty acid synthase (P = 0.038), SCD (P < 0.001) and PPARγ (P = 0.022) were upregulated due to RPF supplementation, resulting in higher (P < 0.001) content of IMF.

CONCLUSIONS

CB and RPF could be fed to goats for improving the growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality, and promote fat deposition by upregulating the expression of lipogenic genes of Longissimus thoracis muscle.

Effects of Lactobacillus Lactis Supplementation on Growth Performance, Hematological Parameters, Meat Quality and Intestinal Flora in Growing-Finishing Pigs

Objective: The study was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation with Lactobacillus lactis (LL) on growth performance, hematological parameters, meat quality and intestinal flora in pigs from growing until slaughter. Methods: A total of 72 growing pigs (30.46 ± 3.08 kg) were randomly assigned to 3 groups (including 3 pens for each group, with 8 pigs in each pen). The three treatments comprised a basal diet (O-0) and two experimental diets supplemented for 14 weeks with 0.01% (O-100) and 0.03% (O-300) LL, respectively. Results: The final body weights of the pigs in the O-100 and O-300 groups were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of the O-0 group. In the grower phase, the average daily weight gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of pigs fed the O-300 diet were higher (p < 0.05) than those of pigs fed the O-0 diet during the grower phase. BUN and MDA were significantly higher (p < 0.05 for all) in the O-0 group than in the O-100 and O-300 groups during the grower phase. No difference (p > 0.05) was observed in the hematological parameters among the three groups during the finisher phase. Counts of LL in the stomach were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the O-300 group than in the O-0 group. Counts of Escherichia coli in the jejunum were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the O-0 group than in the O-300 group. Furthermore, the hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess and resilience of longissimus dorsi muscle collected from pigs fed the O-300 diet were higher (p < 0.01; p = 0.024; p = 0.003; p = 0.014, respectively) than those of tissue collected from pigs fed the O-0 diet. Conclusion: Dietary LL supplementation increased final body weight, increased ADG in the grower phase and enhanced meat quality.

Effects of Clostridium butyricum on growth performance, meat quality, and intestinal health of broilers

This study investigated the effects of Clostridium butyricum on the growth performance, meat quality and intestinal health of broilers. A total of 800 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned to two groups with 16 replicates of 25 broilers per group and fed with a basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 1.5 × 10⁹ cfu/kg C. butyricum and 5 × 10⁸ cfu/kg C. butyricum at 1-21 d and 22-42 d, respectively (CB). The results indicated that C. butyricum significantly increased the final body weight, average daily gain at 1-42 d in the growth performance of broilers (P < 0.05). Moreover, C. butyricum significantly increased a 24 h * value and pH_24h value of breast meat but reduced the drip loss and shear force (P < 0.05). Regarding serum antioxidant indices, C. butyricum significantly increased the total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and total antioxidative capacity activities and reduced the malondialdehyde content (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the broilers in the CB demonstrated an increase in jejunal lipase and trypsin activities, villus height (VH) and VH-to-crypt depth ratio at 42 d compared with those in the CON (P < 0.05). C. butyricum also upregulated the intestinal mRNA levels of zonula occludens-1, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), SOD1 and interleukin-10 in the jejunal mucosa (P < 0.05), but it downregulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.05). These results indicate that C. butyricum can improve the growth performance and meat quality of broilers. In particular, C. butyricum can improve the intestinal health of broilers, which is likely to be related to the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Combined supplementation with Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium thermacidophilum isolated from Tibetan pigs improves growth performance, immunity, and microbiota composition in weaned piglets

Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, promote growth in piglets by modulating gut microbiota composition and improving the host immune system. A strain of Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium thermacidophilum were previously isolated from fresh feces of Tibetan pigs. The effects of these isolated strains on growth performance, intestinal morphology, immunity, microbiota composition, and their metabolites were evaluated in weaned piglets. Thirty crossbred piglets were selected and fed either a basal diet (CON), a basal diet supplemented with aureomycin (ANT), or a basal diet supplemented with Lactobacillus sp. and B. thermacidophilum (LB) for 28 d. The piglets in the ANT and LB groups had significantly higher body weight gain than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Piglets in the ANT and LB groups had regularly arranged villi and microvilli in the small intestine. Furthermore, they had improved immune function, as indicated by decreased serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.05), improved components of immune cells in the blood, mesenteric lymph nodes, and spleen. Additionally, metagenomic sequencing indicated a significant shift in cecal bacterial composition and alterations in microbiota functional profiles following Lactobacillus sp. and B. thermacidophilum supplementation. Metabolomic results revealed that the metabolites were also altered, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed that several significantly altered metabolites were enriched in glycerophospholipid and cholesterol metabolism (P < 0.05). Furthermore, correlation analysis showed that several bacterial members were closely related to the alterations in metabolites, including Bacteroides sp., which were negatively correlated with triglyceride (16:0/18:0/20:4[5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z]), the metabolite that owned the highest variable importance of projection scores. Collectively, our findings suggest that combined supplementation with Lactobacillus sp. and B. thermacidophilum significantly improved the growth performance, immunity, and microbiota composition in weaned piglets, making them prospective alternatives to antibiotics in swine production.

The effects of Clostridium butyricum on Ira rabbit growth performance, cecal microbiota and plasma metabolome

Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) can provide many benefits for animals’ growth performance and gut health. In this study, we investigated the effects of C. butyricum on the growth performance, cecal microbiota, and plasma metabolome in Ira rabbits. A total of 216 Ira rabbits at 32 days of age were randomly assigned to four treatments supplemented with basal diets containing 0 (CG), 200 (LC), 400 (MC), and 600 mg/kg (HC) C. butyricum for 35 days, respectively. In comparison with the CG group, C. butyricum supplementation significantly improved the average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion rate (FCR) at 53 and 67 days of age (P < 0.05) and digestibilities of crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF) at 67 days of age (P < 0.05). The cellulase activity in the HC group was higher respectively by 50.14 and 90.13% at 53 and 67 days of age, than those in the CG groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, at 67 days of age, the diet supplemented with C. butyricum significantly increased the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobia at the phylum level (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the concentrations of different metabolites, such as amino acids and purine, were significantly altered by C. butyricum (P < 0.05). In addition, 10 different genera were highly correlated with 52 different metabolites at 53-day-old and 6 different genera were highly correlated with 18 different metabolites at 67-day-old Ira rabbits. These findings indicated that the C. butyricum supplementation could significantly improve the growth performance by modifying the cecal microbiota structure and plasma metabolome of weaned Ira rabbits.

Effects of Dietary Fucoidan Supplementation on Serum Biochemical Parameters, Small Intestinal Barrier Function, and Cecal Microbiota of Weaned Goat Kids

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of fucoidan supplementation on serum biochemical parameters, small intestinal barrier function, and cecal microbiota of weaned goat kids. A total of 60 2-month-old weaned castrated male goat kids (Chuanzhong black goat) were used in this 30-day experiment. The goat kids were randomly divided into four groups: a control group (CON) fed the basal diet, and three other groups supplemented with 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% fucoidan in the basal diet (denoted as F1, F2, and F3 groups, respectively). The results indicated that dietary fucoidan supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the content of glucose (GLU) as measured on day 15. As measured on day 30, dietary fucoidan increased (p < 0.05) the content of total protein (TP) and decreased the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and supplementation with 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan decreased (p < 0.05) the activity of LDH. Dietary fucoidan decreased (p < 0.05) the content of D-lactic acid (D-LA) and the activity of diamine oxidase (DAO). Dietary fucoidan increased (p < 0.05) the activity of catalase (CAT) in the duodenum. Dietary 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan enhanced (p < 0.05) the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the ileum, the activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in the jejunum and ileum, and the activity of CAT in the ileum. Dietary 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan reduced the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum and the content of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the duodenum. Dietary fucoidan increased (p < 0.05) the content of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in the duodenum. Supplementation of 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan upregulated (p < 0.05) the gene expression of ZO-1 and claudin-1 in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and dietary supplementation of 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan upregulated (p < 0.05) the gene expression of occludin in the jejunum and ileum. The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing results showed that at the phylum level, dietary fucoidan increased (p < 0.05) the abundance of Bacteroidetes while decreasing (p < 0.05) the abundance of Firmicutes. At the genus level, dietary 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan increased (p < 0.05) the abundances of Unspecified_Ruminococcaceae, Unspecified_Bacteroidale, Unspecified_Clostridiales, and Akkermansia. In conclusion, dietary fucoidan supplementation had positive effects on intestinal permeability, antioxidant capacity, immunity function, tight junctions, and the cecal microflora balance in weaned goat kids.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation With Clostridium butyricum on Growth Performance, Apparent Digestibility, Blood Metabolites, Ruminal Fermentation and Bacterial Communities of Fattening Goats

Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) is currently widely used to improve the body health and productive performance of monogastric animals. However, there have been few reports on the effects and specific mechanism of action of Clostridium butyricum in ruminants. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Clostridium butyricum supplementation on the growth performance and digestive microbiota of fattening goats. Twenty-four healthy male Albas goats (body weight = 22 ± 2.03 kg) were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups with eight goats in each group. The treatments were as follows: control group (CON) (basal diet, concentrate to forage ratio = 65:35); low-dose Clostridium butyricum (LCB) (basal diet plus 2.0 × 10⁸ CFU/kg Clostridium butyricum); and high-dose Clostridium butyricum (HCB) (basal diet plus 1.0 × 10⁹ CFU/kg Clostridium butyricum). The experiment lasted for 8 weeks after a 2-week adaptation period. Therefore, growth performance and rumen and rectum microbiota were evaluated in goats supplemented with Clostridium butyricum and its metabolites. The results showed that dietary supplementation with Clostridium butyricum significantly increased the pH (P < 0.05), but had no significant effect on growth performance (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, dietary Clostridium butyricum supplementation significantly increased the relative abundance of Prevotella_1, Christensenellaceae AE_R-7_Group and Prevotellaceae AE_UCG-003 (P < 0.05), and significantly decreased Succiniclasticum and Muribaculaceae_unclassified (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of Clostridium in the rumen was <1.0%. Moreover, 16S rDNA analysis showed that the fecal Clostridium or Clostridium butyricum count was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the relative abundance of Alistipes and Akkermansia was increased (P < 0.10) in the low-dose group compared with the control group. Supplementing Clostridium butyricum in a high-concentrate diet did not significantly affect the performance of goats, while regulation of the gastrointestinal microbiota and related metabolites was associated with rumen fermentation.

Effects of Immobilized Antimicrobial Peptides on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Index, Inflammatory Factors, Intestinal Morphology, and Microbial Community in Weaning Pigs

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of immobilized antimicrobial peptides on growth performance, serum biochemical index, inflammatory factors, intestinal morphology, and microbial community of weaning piglets. A total of 21 weaning piglets [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire)] with initial body weight (7.64 ± 0.65 kg) were randomly allocated to one of three treatments with seven replicates (one pig per replicate) per treatment according to sex and weight in randomized complete block design. Pigs in the three treatments were fed corn–soybean meal-based diet (CON), corn–soybean meal based diet + flavomycin (25 mg/kg) + quinone (50 mg/kg) (AB), and corn–soybean meal based diet + 1,000 mg/kg immobilized antimicrobial peptides (IAMPs), respectively. The experiment lasted for 28 days, including early stage (0–14 days) and late stage (15–28 days). The results showed the following: (1) compared with the CON group, the average daily gain in the whole experimental time (p < 0.05) was significantly increased, and the diarrhea rate of weaning piglets was decreased (p < 0.01) in the IAMPs group; (2) compared with the CON group, the concentrations of serum IgM and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the IAMPs group were significantly higher than the CON and AB groups (p < 0.01); (3) compared with CON group, the concentrations of serum interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF-β) were significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the concentration of IL-12 was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the IAMPs group; (4) compared with CON group, the concentrations of serum endotoxin and D-lactate of piglets were significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and the relative expression of ZO-1 and occludin in the jejunum of piglets were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the IAMPs group; (5) compared with the CON group, the villus height of the duodenum and jejunum of weaning piglets in IAMPs and AB groups was significantly increased (p < 0.05); and (6) compared with CON group, the relative abundance of Escherichia–Shigella in the colon and cecal digesta was decreased. In summary, the addition of 1,000 mg/kg immobilized antimicrobial peptides in the diet effectively relieved weaning stress by showing improved growth performance, antioxidant and immune capacity, intestinal morphology, and microorganisms.

The Effects of Fucoidan Dietary Supplementation on Growth Performance, Serum Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Function Indices and Intestinal Morphology in Weaned Kids

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of fucoidan dietary supplementation on growth performance, organs’ relative weight, serum anti-oxidation markers, immune function indices and intestinal morphology in weaned kids. A total of 60 2-month-old weaned castrated male kids (Chuanzhong black goat) were used for this 30-day experiment and randomly allocated to four groups. The control group (CON) fed a basal diet, while the other three groups were provided with the same diet further supplemented with fucoidan at 0.1%, 0.3% or 0.5%, namely, F1, F2 and F3 groups, respectively. The results indicated that dietary fucoidan supplementation significantly increased (p < 0.05) the activity of catalase (CAT) when compared to the CON group on day 15. Moreover, the addition of fucoidan at 0.3% and 0.5% significantly increased (p < 0.05) the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD). On day 30, dietary fucoidan supplementation significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the feed conversion rate (FCR), contents of tumor necrosis-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), while it significantly increased (p < 0.05) the activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), the content of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and the villus height (VH) of the duodenum. Moreover, dietary 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan supplementation significantly increased (p < 0.05) the villus height (VH) of the jejunum and ileum and significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the crypt depth (CD) of ileum. In conclusion, dietary fucoidan had positive effects on growth performance, serum anti-oxidation, immune function and intestinal morphology of weaned kids.

Effects of Clostridium butyricum on Growth Performance, Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Barrier Function of Broilers

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Clostridium butyricum dietary supplementation on the growth, antioxidant, immune response, gut microbiota, and intestinal barrier function of broilers under high stocking density (HSD) stress. A total of 324 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly assigned to three treatments with six replicates, each replicate including 18 chickens (18 birds/m²). The experiment lasted 6 weeks. The three treatments were basal diet (control, CON), basal diet supplemented with 1 × 10⁹ colony forming units (cfu)/kg C. butyricum (CB), and basal diet supplemented with 10 mg/kg virginiamycin (antibiotic, ANT). The results showed that the body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) of broilers in the CB group were significantly higher than those in the CON group in three periods (p < 0.05). The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in serum of the CB group were significantly increased compared with those in the CON and ANT groups at 42 days (p < 0.05). At 42 days, the serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels of the CB group were significantly higher than those of the CON group. Compared with the CON group, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the CB group was significantly decreased in the starter and grower stages (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups (p > 0.05). C. butyricum significantly decreased the high stocking density-induced expression levels of IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the ileum of broilers at different stages. Additionally, C. butyricum could increase the expressions of claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in intestinal tissue. Moreover, C. butyricum significantly increased the Sobs and Shannon indices in the CB group compared with the ANT group (p < 0.05), while the Ace index in the CB group was significantly higher than that of the CON group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the proportion of Bacteroides in the CB group was increased compared to those in the CON and ANT groups at the genus level. In conclusion, C. butyricum supplemented into feed could improve the growth performance and feed utilization of broilers by promoting immune and intestinal barrier function and benefiting the cecal microflora.

Effect of Feed Supplementation with Clostridium butyricum, Alone or in Combination with Carob Meal or Citrus Pulp, on Digestive and Metabolic Status of Piglets

Simple Summary

During the intensive production of weaned piglets, frequent digestive disorders need to be avoided, as it is a critical phase; however, there are limitations to using antibiotics and ZnO at high levels. In this study, we investigate the inclusion of a probiotic (Clostridium butyricum) in combination with sources of fiber that might have a potential prebiotic effect, generating an optimal digestive status for weaned piglets. A trial is carried out using 30 post-weaning piglets for 27 days using five dietary treatments: a negative control, a positive control with high levels of ZnO, and three dietary treatments supplemented with Clostridium butyricum (alone or in combination with carob meal or citrus pulp). Supplementation with this probiotic could improve the piglets’ intestinal wellness status by increasing butyric acid, without being altered by the inclusion of carob meal or citrus pulp at 5%, obtaining digestibility values comparable with those realized by the incorporation of high levels of ZnO in the diet. In addition, carob meal could decrease the concentration of serum interleukin-8 (a type of pro-inflammatory cytokine). However, a growth performance trial of piglets in commercial conditions needs to be developed to confirm these effects.

Abstract

This work studied the effects of the inclusion of Clostridium butyricum on feed, alone or with carob meal or citrus pulp, on the digestive and metabolic status of weaned piglets. A total of 30 male piglets (weaned at 21 days) is used. There are five dietary treatments: negative without ZnO at high doses (C−), a positive control supplemented with ZnO at 2500 ppm of Zn (C+), supplemented with Clostridium butyricum as a probiotic (PRO), and supplemented with probiotic and 5% carob meal (PROC) or 5% citrus pulp (PROP). During the experiment (27 days), the piglets were periodically weighed and sampled for a serum biochemical, fecal microbiological, intestine histological, and digestive status analysis. The body weight, apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter (DM), and fecal microbiology were not affected by the treatments (p ≥ 0.05). However, the apparent fecal digestibility of DM was lower for the C− treatment than for C+ (p < 0.05), and the total concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in feces with C+ was lower than that for the PROC treatment (p < 0.05). The treatments with the probiotic had a higher molar proportion of butyric acid in feces than C+, and it was found that C− reached an intermediate value (p < 0.01). No general effects of diet were found on the histological measures performed on the jejunum and ileum, and in the serum biochemical analysis (p ≥ 0.05), only the concentration of interleukin-8 was lower for the PROC treatment compared to the C−, C+, and PRO treatments (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the intestinal wellness of piglets could be improved with the supplementation of Clostridium butyricum by increasing butyric acid, and this effect was not altered with the inclusion of carob meal or citrus pulp. More studies under commercial conditions are needed, as the effects might be different in more challenging environmental circumstances.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Protected Sodium Butyrate on Gut Microbiota in Growing-Finishing Pigs

Simple Summary

The addition of protected sodium butyrate to the diet of fattening pigs during the whole fattening period (≈90 days) at a dose of 3 kg per ton of feed, did not modify the overall richness of microbiota composition of the pigs at slaughter, but may have caused some significant changes in specific taxa that could be associated with better gut health parameters. In any case, these results should be taken with caution, as the role of a given taxon on the pig’s gut health is influenced by numerous variables such as age, diet, environment, treatments, other taxa present, infections, or even the physiological status of the animal.

Abstract

The study assessed changes in the gut microbiota of pigs after dietary supplementation with protected sodium butyrate (PSB) during the growing-fattening period (≈90 days). One gram of colon content from 18 pigs (9 from the treatment group -TG- and 9 from the control group -CG-) was collected. Bacterial DNA was extracted and 16S rRNA high-throughput amplicon sequencing used to assess microbiota changes between groups. The groups shared 75.4% of the 4697 operational taxonomic units identified. No differences in alpha diversity were found, but significant differences for some specific taxa were detected between groups. The low-represented phylum Deinococcus-Thermus, which is associated with the production of carotenoids with antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties, was increased in the TG (p = 0.032). Prevotellaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, Peptococcaceae, and Terrisporobacter were increased in the TG. Members of these families have the ability to ferment complex dietary polysaccharides and produce larger amounts of short chain fatty acids. Regarding species, only Clostridium butyricum was increased in the TG (p = 0.048). Clostridium butyricum is well-known as probiotic in humans, but it has also been associated with overall positive gut effects (increased villus height, improved body weight, reduction of diarrhea, etc.) in weanling pigs. Although the use of PSB did not modify the overall richness of microbiota composition of these slaughter pigs, it may have increased specific taxa associated with better gut health parameters.

Clostridium butyricum alone or combined with 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 improved early-stage broiler health by modulating intestinal flora

AIM

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Clostridium butyricum in isolation or in combination with 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ in early-stage broilers.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 360 half male and half female Cobb broilers (1 day old) were randomly divided into four groups: Con (basal diet), Anti (basal diet+75 mg/kg chlortetracycline), Cb (basal diet+10⁹  CFU per kg C. butyricum) and CD (basal diet+10⁹  CFU per kg C. butyricum+25 μg/kg 1,25(OH)₂ D₃ ). The results were as follows: (1) Compared with Con, CD significantly increased ADG (p < 0.05). (2) Contrast with Con and Anti, Cb and CD significantly increased glutathione peroxidase and SOD in the serum and liver, and decreased malondialdehyde content in serum (p < 0.05). (3) In addition, the content of immunoglobulin (IgA, IgY and IgM) in Cb and CD birds was higher than that in Con birds (p < 0.05); the Cb supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) the contents of IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α than those in Con. (4) Cb and CD had lower caecal acetic and propionic content than the Anti group (p < 0.05). (5) The community richness of Con was significantly higher than that of Anti (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Alistipes and Ruminococcaceae-UCG-014 in Cb and CD supplemented birds were lower than those in Con (p < 0.05). The relative abundant of Escherichia-Shigella in CD was higher than Con and Anti (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicated that dietary C. butyricum and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ can improve the growth performance, immunity responses, antioxidation, bone development and intestinal microflora in early-stage broilers.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Oral administration of C. butyricum or C. butyricum combined with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ enhanced immunity and antioxidant activity in early-stage birds.