Background:High-protein diets can increase the colonic health risks.A moderate reduction of dietary crude-protein(CP)level can improve the colonic bacterial community and mucosal immunity of pigs.However,greatly reduc...Background:High-protein diets can increase the colonic health risks.A moderate reduction of dietary crude-protein(CP)level can improve the colonic bacterial community and mucosal immunity of pigs.However,greatly reducing the dietary CP level,even supplemented with all amino acids(AAs),detrimentally affects the colonic health,which may be due to the lack of protein-derived peptides.Therefore,this study evaluated the effects of supplementation of casein hydrolysate(peptide source)in low-protein(LP)diets,in comparison with AAs supplementation,on the colonic microbiota,microbial metabolites and mucosal immunity in pigs,aiming to determine whether a supplementation of casein hydrolysate can improve colonic health under very LP level.Twenty-one pigs(initial BW 19.90±1.00 kg,63±1 days of age)were assigned to three groups and fed with control diet(16%CP),LP diets(13%CP)supplemented with free AAs(LPA)or casein hydrolysate(LPC)for 4 weeks.Results:Compared with control diet,LPA and LPC diet decreased the relative abundance of Streptococcus and Escherichia coli,and LPC diet further decreased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria.LPC diet also increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri.Both LP diets decreased concentrations of ammonia and cadaverine,and LPC diet also reduced concentrations of putrescine,phenol and indole.Moreover,LPC diet increased total short-chain fatty acid concentration.In comparison with control diet,both LP diets decreased protein expressions of Toll-like receptor-4,nuclear factor-κB,interleukin-1βand tumor necrosis factor-α,and LPC diet further decreased protein expressions of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain protein-1 and interferon-γ.LPC diet also increased protein expressions of G-protein coupled receptor-43,interleukin-4,transforming growth factor-β,immunoglobulin A and mucin-4,which are indicators for mucosal defense activity.Conclusions:The results showed that supplementing casein hydrolysate showed beneficial effects on the colonic microbiota and mucosal immunity and barrier function in comparison with supplementing free AAs in LP diets.These findings may provide new framework for future nutritional interventions for colon health in pigs.展开更多
Maternal inulin intake has been shown to alleviate oxidative stress in piglets,but the role of bile acids(BAs)in this process remains unknown.This study aimed to investigate the roles of gut microbiota and BAs metabol...Maternal inulin intake has been shown to alleviate oxidative stress in piglets,but the role of bile acids(BAs)in this process remains unknown.This study aimed to investigate the roles of gut microbiota and BAs metabolism in the amelioration of intestinal oxidative stress in piglets through a maternal inulin diet.A total of 40 sows were allocated into two dietary treatments from day 85 of gestation until the end of lactation:CON(control diet)and INU(diet with 2%wheat bran replaced by inulin).An oxidative model was further established on the intestinal porcine epithelial cell-jejunum 2 cell line(IPEC-J2)to examine the effect of bacterial BAs on intestinal oxidative stress.Results showed that the maternal inulin diet promoted the average daily gain of piglets during suckling and reduced diarrhea rate during weaning(P=0.026 and P=0.005,respectively).Piglets from the INU group had lower serum levels of reactive oxygen species(P=0.021),malondialdehyde(P=0.045),along with higher serum levels of glutathione peroxidase(P=0.027),catalase(P=0.043),and total superoxide dismutase(P=0.097).Compared to the CON group,maternal inulin intake increased fecal ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)by 10.84%,hyodeoxycholic acid(HDCA)by 250.64%(P=0.026),and lithocholic acid(LCA)by 16.41%(P=0.048)in piglets.Moreover,the fecal abundance of Ruminococcus and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group increased by 167.08%and 75.47%in INU piglets(P=0.046 and P=0.037,respectively).Furthermore,the in vitro study using IPEC-J2 cells demonstrated that UDCA,LCA,and HDCA attenuated intestinal oxidative stress by mediating kelch-1ike ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 signaling.In conclusion,our results suggested that maternal dietary inulin intake during late gestation and lactation alleviates intestinal oxidative stress of piglets by regulating gut microbiota and BA metabolism.展开更多
Gut microbes,particularly those in the hindgut,play an important role in fermenting undigested nutrients(carbohydrates and proteins)and in regulating host metabolism via the gut-liver metabolic axis.However,the effect...Gut microbes,particularly those in the hindgut,play an important role in fermenting undigested nutrients(carbohydrates and proteins)and in regulating host metabolism via the gut-liver metabolic axis.However,the effects of variations in the ratio of carbohydrates to proteins on host metabolism remain largely unknown.This study investigated the response of large intestinal microbiota and host metabolism to changes in nutrient substrate availability by infusing corn starch or casein hydrolysate via cecal cannulas.Twenty-four growing pigs with cecal cannulas were randomly divided into three groups(n=8):a control group infused with saline;a starch group infused with corn starch;and a casein group infused with casein hydrolysate(50 g/d)dissolved in saline.The infusion was performed daily for 19 d.Compared with the control,starch infusion significantly increased the relative abundances of Bifidobacterium,Bacteroidales S24-7 group and Megasphaera(P<0.05),while decreasing Anaerovibrio,Campylobacter and Veillonella(P<0.05).Conversely,casein hydrolysate infusion significantly increased Streptococcus,Desulfovibrio and Mogibacterium(P<0.05),while decreasing Coprococcus and Ruminococcus at the genus level(P<0.05).Starch infusion increased short-chain fatty acid(SCFA)concentrations(P=0.001),whereas casein hydrolysate infusion reduced them(P=0.001);these effects were observed in both colonic digesta and liver.Additionally,serum metabolomics and liver gene expression analysis revealed that host metabolic states were significantly altered in different ways following starch and casein hydrolysate infusion(P<0.05).Starch infusion enhanced host energy metabolism,gluconeogenesis and lipid metabolism by increasing concentrations of tricarboxylic acid(TCA)cycle-related metabolites(e.g.,succinic acid,oxaloacetic acid,and L-malic acid)and fatty acid(FA)synthesis(e.g.,D-glyceric acid,stearic acid,and palmitic acid)(P<0.05),alongside upregulation of FA synthase(FAS),stearoyl-CoA desaturase(SCD),acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACC),phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1(PCK1)and pyruvate kinase(PK)gene expression(P<0.05).In contrast,casein hydrolysate infusion enhanced glycolysis and reduced FA synthesis by increasing glucose-6-phosphate,L-lactic acid,glycerol,glycolic acid,etc.(P<0.05),in parallel with upregulation of acyl-CoA oxidase 1(ACOX-1),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α(PPAR-α),carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1α(CPT-1α)and PK gene expressions in the liver(P<0.05).Correlation result demonstrated a strong association between altered gut microbiota and several serum metabolites(P<0.05).In summary,these results indicate that increasing carbohydrate or nitrogenous compound levels in the large intestine can distinctly alter microbiota composition,thereby influencing host metabolism.These findings provide novel insights into the crosstalk between the large intestinal microbiome and host metabolism.展开更多
Milk fat globule membrane(MFGM)possesses various nutritional and biological benefits for mammals,whereas its effects on neonatal gut microbiota and barrier integrity remained unclear.This study investigated the effect...Milk fat globule membrane(MFGM)possesses various nutritional and biological benefits for mammals,whereas its effects on neonatal gut microbiota and barrier integrity remained unclear.This study investigated the effects of MFGM administration on microbial compositions and intestinal barrier functions of neonatal piglets.Sixteen newborn piglets were randomly allocated into a CON group or MFGM group,orally administered with saline or MFGM solution(1 g/kg body weight)respectively during the first postnatal week,and all piglets were breastfed during the whole neonatal period.The present study found that the MFGM oral administration during the first postnatal week increased the plasma immunoglobulin(lg)G level,body weight and average daily gain of piglets(P<0.05)on 21 d.Addi-tionally,MFGM administration enriched fecal SCFA-producing bacteria(Ruminococaceae_UCG-002,Ruminococaceae_UCG-010,Ruminococaceae_UCG-004,Ruminococaceae_UCG-014 and[Ruminococcus]_gauvrearuii_group),SCFA concentrations(acetate,propionate and butyrate;P<0.05)and their receptor(G-protein coupled receptor 41,GPR41).Furthermore,MFGM administration promoted intestinal villus morphology(P<0.05)and barrier functions by upregulating genes of tight junctions(E-cadherin,claudin-1,occludin and zonula occludin 1[ZO-1]),mucins(mucin-13 and mucin-20)and interleukin(IL)-22(P<0.05).Positive correlation was found between the beneficial microbes and SCFA levels pairwise with the intestinal barrier genes(P<0.05).In conclusion,orally administrating MFGM during the first postnatal week stimulated SCFA-producing bacteria colonization and SCFA generation,enhanced intes-tinal barrier functions and consequently improved growth performance of neonatal piglets on 21 d.Our findings will provide new insights about MFGM intervention for microbial colonization and intestinal development of neonates during their early life.展开更多
To reduce nitrogen excretion and lower feeding costs,low crude protein(CP)diets are sometimes pro-posed,however,a great reduction of dietary CP concentration(>4%reduction vs.recommended con-centration),even supplem...To reduce nitrogen excretion and lower feeding costs,low crude protein(CP)diets are sometimes pro-posed,however,a great reduction of dietary CP concentration(>4%reduction vs.recommended con-centration),even supplemented with essential and nonessential amino acids(AA)can detrimentally affect small intestinal barrier function and immunity,possibly due to the excessive lack of peptides.Here we hypothesize that with an extremely low CP concentration diet,protein-derived peptides,rather than AA supplementation,can improve intestinal barrier development and health.To test this hypothesis,21 growing pigs(19.90±1.00 kg body weight)were randomly assigned to 3 treatments with control diet(16%CP),or low CP diets(13%CP)supplemented with AA(LCPA)or casein hydrolysate(LCPC)for 28 days.In comparison with the control diet,the LCPA diet decreased the protein expression level of jejunal barrier factor zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)and stem cell proliferation factor leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor-5,whereas the LCPC diet enhanced intestinal barrier function by increasing the protein expression level of jejunal occludin and ZO-1 and ileal mucin-2.The LCPA diet reduced Lactobacillus counts,whereas the LCPC diet increased Lactobacillus counts and reduced Escherichia coli counts in the ileum.The LCPA diet also increased protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-22,whereas the LCPC diet decreased protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory IL-1β,IL-17A and tumor necrosis factor-αin the ileum.Collectively,the casein hydroly-sate supplementation of low CP diets showed beneficial effects on the small intestinal barrier,bacterial community,and immunity in pigs,pointing to the important role of protein-derived peptides in small intestinal health in cases of low crude protein diets.展开更多
Indole-3-propionic acid(IPA)has anti-inflammatory properties,which can be beneficial for weaned piglets with underdeveloped immune systems.The study explores the impact of IPA supplementation on growth performance,oxi...Indole-3-propionic acid(IPA)has anti-inflammatory properties,which can be beneficial for weaned piglets with underdeveloped immune systems.The study explores the impact of IPA supplementation on growth performance,oxidative stress,and inflammation response in weaned piglets.In Exp.1,90 weaned piglets were divided into six groups(5 replicates per group,3 pigs per replicate),with each group receiving a basal diet with varying amounts of IPA(0,50,100,200,400,or 600 mg/kg)for 42 d.Piglets fed the diets with 50,100,and 200 mg/kg of IPA exhibited reduced feed conversion ratios(F:G)compared to the control piglets(P=0.035).Notably,50 and 100 mg/kg IPA treatments significantly reduced diarrhea incidence and serum interleukin(IL)-6 content(P<0.05).Conversely,a high dosage of 600 mg/kg IPA led to increased serum contents of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,and IL-6(P<0.05).Optimal antioxidant benefits were observed at 100 mg/kg IPA supplementation,which significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels while enhancing serum total antioxidant capacity and total superoxide dismutase activity on d 14(P<0.05).Exp.2 investigated the effects of IPA on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)challenge in weaned piglets.The study consisted of 32 weaned piglets allocated into 4 groups,with 8 replicates per group and 1 piglet per replicate:a control group,a LPS challenge group,a LPS challenge group supplemented with 100 mg/kg IPA,and a group supplemented with 100 mg/kg IPA alone.Upon administration of LPS or saline injection,the results indicated that dietary IPA supplementation in challenged piglets enhanced villus height:crypt depth,modulated IL-8 and IL-22 mRNA relative expression,and increased the tight junction protein claudin-1 mRNA relative expression in the intestinal mucosa(P<0.05).These findings suggest that dietary supplementation of IPA at specific concentrations significantly improves growth performance,reduces diarrhea incidence,and mitigates inflammation and oxidative stress in weaned piglets.It may be concluded that incorporating IPA into the diet of weaned piglets can effectively improve their health and development.展开更多
基金supported by National Key Basic Research Program of China(2013CB127300)Natural Science Foundation of China(31430082).
文摘Background:High-protein diets can increase the colonic health risks.A moderate reduction of dietary crude-protein(CP)level can improve the colonic bacterial community and mucosal immunity of pigs.However,greatly reducing the dietary CP level,even supplemented with all amino acids(AAs),detrimentally affects the colonic health,which may be due to the lack of protein-derived peptides.Therefore,this study evaluated the effects of supplementation of casein hydrolysate(peptide source)in low-protein(LP)diets,in comparison with AAs supplementation,on the colonic microbiota,microbial metabolites and mucosal immunity in pigs,aiming to determine whether a supplementation of casein hydrolysate can improve colonic health under very LP level.Twenty-one pigs(initial BW 19.90±1.00 kg,63±1 days of age)were assigned to three groups and fed with control diet(16%CP),LP diets(13%CP)supplemented with free AAs(LPA)or casein hydrolysate(LPC)for 4 weeks.Results:Compared with control diet,LPA and LPC diet decreased the relative abundance of Streptococcus and Escherichia coli,and LPC diet further decreased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria.LPC diet also increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri.Both LP diets decreased concentrations of ammonia and cadaverine,and LPC diet also reduced concentrations of putrescine,phenol and indole.Moreover,LPC diet increased total short-chain fatty acid concentration.In comparison with control diet,both LP diets decreased protein expressions of Toll-like receptor-4,nuclear factor-κB,interleukin-1βand tumor necrosis factor-α,and LPC diet further decreased protein expressions of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain protein-1 and interferon-γ.LPC diet also increased protein expressions of G-protein coupled receptor-43,interleukin-4,transforming growth factor-β,immunoglobulin A and mucin-4,which are indicators for mucosal defense activity.Conclusions:The results showed that supplementing casein hydrolysate showed beneficial effects on the colonic microbiota and mucosal immunity and barrier function in comparison with supplementing free AAs in LP diets.These findings may provide new framework for future nutritional interventions for colon health in pigs.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31972596,32330100,and 32125036)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2021YFD1300201 and 2022YFA1304201)China Agricultural Research System(CARS-35),China Scholarship Council(No.201913043).
文摘Maternal inulin intake has been shown to alleviate oxidative stress in piglets,but the role of bile acids(BAs)in this process remains unknown.This study aimed to investigate the roles of gut microbiota and BAs metabolism in the amelioration of intestinal oxidative stress in piglets through a maternal inulin diet.A total of 40 sows were allocated into two dietary treatments from day 85 of gestation until the end of lactation:CON(control diet)and INU(diet with 2%wheat bran replaced by inulin).An oxidative model was further established on the intestinal porcine epithelial cell-jejunum 2 cell line(IPEC-J2)to examine the effect of bacterial BAs on intestinal oxidative stress.Results showed that the maternal inulin diet promoted the average daily gain of piglets during suckling and reduced diarrhea rate during weaning(P=0.026 and P=0.005,respectively).Piglets from the INU group had lower serum levels of reactive oxygen species(P=0.021),malondialdehyde(P=0.045),along with higher serum levels of glutathione peroxidase(P=0.027),catalase(P=0.043),and total superoxide dismutase(P=0.097).Compared to the CON group,maternal inulin intake increased fecal ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)by 10.84%,hyodeoxycholic acid(HDCA)by 250.64%(P=0.026),and lithocholic acid(LCA)by 16.41%(P=0.048)in piglets.Moreover,the fecal abundance of Ruminococcus and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group increased by 167.08%and 75.47%in INU piglets(P=0.046 and P=0.037,respectively).Furthermore,the in vitro study using IPEC-J2 cells demonstrated that UDCA,LCA,and HDCA attenuated intestinal oxidative stress by mediating kelch-1ike ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 signaling.In conclusion,our results suggested that maternal dietary inulin intake during late gestation and lactation alleviates intestinal oxidative stress of piglets by regulating gut microbiota and BA metabolism.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(31430082)the National Key Basic Research Program of China(2013CB127300)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK20130058).
文摘Gut microbes,particularly those in the hindgut,play an important role in fermenting undigested nutrients(carbohydrates and proteins)and in regulating host metabolism via the gut-liver metabolic axis.However,the effects of variations in the ratio of carbohydrates to proteins on host metabolism remain largely unknown.This study investigated the response of large intestinal microbiota and host metabolism to changes in nutrient substrate availability by infusing corn starch or casein hydrolysate via cecal cannulas.Twenty-four growing pigs with cecal cannulas were randomly divided into three groups(n=8):a control group infused with saline;a starch group infused with corn starch;and a casein group infused with casein hydrolysate(50 g/d)dissolved in saline.The infusion was performed daily for 19 d.Compared with the control,starch infusion significantly increased the relative abundances of Bifidobacterium,Bacteroidales S24-7 group and Megasphaera(P<0.05),while decreasing Anaerovibrio,Campylobacter and Veillonella(P<0.05).Conversely,casein hydrolysate infusion significantly increased Streptococcus,Desulfovibrio and Mogibacterium(P<0.05),while decreasing Coprococcus and Ruminococcus at the genus level(P<0.05).Starch infusion increased short-chain fatty acid(SCFA)concentrations(P=0.001),whereas casein hydrolysate infusion reduced them(P=0.001);these effects were observed in both colonic digesta and liver.Additionally,serum metabolomics and liver gene expression analysis revealed that host metabolic states were significantly altered in different ways following starch and casein hydrolysate infusion(P<0.05).Starch infusion enhanced host energy metabolism,gluconeogenesis and lipid metabolism by increasing concentrations of tricarboxylic acid(TCA)cycle-related metabolites(e.g.,succinic acid,oxaloacetic acid,and L-malic acid)and fatty acid(FA)synthesis(e.g.,D-glyceric acid,stearic acid,and palmitic acid)(P<0.05),alongside upregulation of FA synthase(FAS),stearoyl-CoA desaturase(SCD),acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACC),phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1(PCK1)and pyruvate kinase(PK)gene expression(P<0.05).In contrast,casein hydrolysate infusion enhanced glycolysis and reduced FA synthesis by increasing glucose-6-phosphate,L-lactic acid,glycerol,glycolic acid,etc.(P<0.05),in parallel with upregulation of acyl-CoA oxidase 1(ACOX-1),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α(PPAR-α),carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1α(CPT-1α)and PK gene expressions in the liver(P<0.05).Correlation result demonstrated a strong association between altered gut microbiota and several serum metabolites(P<0.05).In summary,these results indicate that increasing carbohydrate or nitrogenous compound levels in the large intestine can distinctly alter microbiota composition,thereby influencing host metabolism.These findings provide novel insights into the crosstalk between the large intestinal microbiome and host metabolism.
基金the Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation(S170001)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31630074,31902170,31972596 and 31902189)+2 种基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0500506 and 2018YDF0501002)the Agriculture Research System of China(CARS-35)the Higher Education Discipline Innovation Project(B16044).
文摘Milk fat globule membrane(MFGM)possesses various nutritional and biological benefits for mammals,whereas its effects on neonatal gut microbiota and barrier integrity remained unclear.This study investigated the effects of MFGM administration on microbial compositions and intestinal barrier functions of neonatal piglets.Sixteen newborn piglets were randomly allocated into a CON group or MFGM group,orally administered with saline or MFGM solution(1 g/kg body weight)respectively during the first postnatal week,and all piglets were breastfed during the whole neonatal period.The present study found that the MFGM oral administration during the first postnatal week increased the plasma immunoglobulin(lg)G level,body weight and average daily gain of piglets(P<0.05)on 21 d.Addi-tionally,MFGM administration enriched fecal SCFA-producing bacteria(Ruminococaceae_UCG-002,Ruminococaceae_UCG-010,Ruminococaceae_UCG-004,Ruminococaceae_UCG-014 and[Ruminococcus]_gauvrearuii_group),SCFA concentrations(acetate,propionate and butyrate;P<0.05)and their receptor(G-protein coupled receptor 41,GPR41).Furthermore,MFGM administration promoted intestinal villus morphology(P<0.05)and barrier functions by upregulating genes of tight junctions(E-cadherin,claudin-1,occludin and zonula occludin 1[ZO-1]),mucins(mucin-13 and mucin-20)and interleukin(IL)-22(P<0.05).Positive correlation was found between the beneficial microbes and SCFA levels pairwise with the intestinal barrier genes(P<0.05).In conclusion,orally administrating MFGM during the first postnatal week stimulated SCFA-producing bacteria colonization and SCFA generation,enhanced intes-tinal barrier functions and consequently improved growth performance of neonatal piglets on 21 d.Our findings will provide new insights about MFGM intervention for microbial colonization and intestinal development of neonates during their early life.
基金supported by Natural Science Foundation of China(31430082)National Key Basic Research Program of China,973 Program(2013CB127300)
文摘To reduce nitrogen excretion and lower feeding costs,low crude protein(CP)diets are sometimes pro-posed,however,a great reduction of dietary CP concentration(>4%reduction vs.recommended con-centration),even supplemented with essential and nonessential amino acids(AA)can detrimentally affect small intestinal barrier function and immunity,possibly due to the excessive lack of peptides.Here we hypothesize that with an extremely low CP concentration diet,protein-derived peptides,rather than AA supplementation,can improve intestinal barrier development and health.To test this hypothesis,21 growing pigs(19.90±1.00 kg body weight)were randomly assigned to 3 treatments with control diet(16%CP),or low CP diets(13%CP)supplemented with AA(LCPA)or casein hydrolysate(LCPC)for 28 days.In comparison with the control diet,the LCPA diet decreased the protein expression level of jejunal barrier factor zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)and stem cell proliferation factor leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor-5,whereas the LCPC diet enhanced intestinal barrier function by increasing the protein expression level of jejunal occludin and ZO-1 and ileal mucin-2.The LCPA diet reduced Lactobacillus counts,whereas the LCPC diet increased Lactobacillus counts and reduced Escherichia coli counts in the ileum.The LCPA diet also increased protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-22,whereas the LCPC diet decreased protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory IL-1β,IL-17A and tumor necrosis factor-αin the ileum.Collectively,the casein hydroly-sate supplementation of low CP diets showed beneficial effects on the small intestinal barrier,bacterial community,and immunity in pigs,pointing to the important role of protein-derived peptides in small intestinal health in cases of low crude protein diets.
基金financially supported by the Science and Technology Program of Shijiazhuang City(236490539A)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2023M730594)+1 种基金the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAAS-ZDRW202305)the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program of the Feed Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAASIFR-ZDRW202302).
文摘Indole-3-propionic acid(IPA)has anti-inflammatory properties,which can be beneficial for weaned piglets with underdeveloped immune systems.The study explores the impact of IPA supplementation on growth performance,oxidative stress,and inflammation response in weaned piglets.In Exp.1,90 weaned piglets were divided into six groups(5 replicates per group,3 pigs per replicate),with each group receiving a basal diet with varying amounts of IPA(0,50,100,200,400,or 600 mg/kg)for 42 d.Piglets fed the diets with 50,100,and 200 mg/kg of IPA exhibited reduced feed conversion ratios(F:G)compared to the control piglets(P=0.035).Notably,50 and 100 mg/kg IPA treatments significantly reduced diarrhea incidence and serum interleukin(IL)-6 content(P<0.05).Conversely,a high dosage of 600 mg/kg IPA led to increased serum contents of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,and IL-6(P<0.05).Optimal antioxidant benefits were observed at 100 mg/kg IPA supplementation,which significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels while enhancing serum total antioxidant capacity and total superoxide dismutase activity on d 14(P<0.05).Exp.2 investigated the effects of IPA on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)challenge in weaned piglets.The study consisted of 32 weaned piglets allocated into 4 groups,with 8 replicates per group and 1 piglet per replicate:a control group,a LPS challenge group,a LPS challenge group supplemented with 100 mg/kg IPA,and a group supplemented with 100 mg/kg IPA alone.Upon administration of LPS or saline injection,the results indicated that dietary IPA supplementation in challenged piglets enhanced villus height:crypt depth,modulated IL-8 and IL-22 mRNA relative expression,and increased the tight junction protein claudin-1 mRNA relative expression in the intestinal mucosa(P<0.05).These findings suggest that dietary supplementation of IPA at specific concentrations significantly improves growth performance,reduces diarrhea incidence,and mitigates inflammation and oxidative stress in weaned piglets.It may be concluded that incorporating IPA into the diet of weaned piglets can effectively improve their health and development.
