Table_1_Effects of Immobilized Antimicrobial Peptides on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Index, Inflammatory Factors, Intestinal Morphology, and Microbial Community in Weaning Pigs.docx

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.</p

Effect of fibre sources on performance, serum parameters, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities and microbiota in weaned pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of wheat bran (WB) as insoluble fibre source, and sugar beet pulp (SBP) as soluble fibre source, on performance, serum parameters and intestinal health in weaned pigs. A total of 90 weaned pigs (BW: 7.33 ± 1.24 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: (1) a control diet (CON) based on corn and soybean meal; (2) CON + 6% WB; (3) CON + 6% SBP. Each treatment had five replicate pens with six pigs per pen. The experimental period was divided into two phases (d 0 to 14 and d 14 to 28). Pigs in group WB tended to have greater avarage daily gain than those in group SBP. Compared with CON, SBP reduced (p p p p p p p Ruminococcaceae and Prevotellaceae were increased (p Lachnospiraceae abundance was increased (p p p < 0.05) concentrations of acetate and total SCFA when compared with CON. In conclusion, WB was beneficial to performance in weaned pigs by improving morphology, enzyme activities and microbiota when compared with SBP, highlighting that effects of fibre depends on the fibre sources.</p

Table_1_Supplementation With Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides Reduce Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice by Modulation of Gut Microbiota.DOCX

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) have been proved to prevent obesity and modulate gut microbiota. However, the underlying mechanisms of LBPs’ regulating lipid metabolism remain entirely unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether LBPs are able to modulate the gut microbiota to prevent obesity. The results showed that oral administration of LBPs alleviated dyslipidemia by decreasing the serum levels of total triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and elevating the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in obese mice. Furthermore, LBP treatment decreased the number and size of adipocytes in epididymal adipose tissues and downregulated the expression of adipogenesis-related genes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that LBPs increased the diversity of bacteria, reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and improved the gut dysbiosis induced by a high-fat diet; for example, LBPs increased the production of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria Lacticigenium, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Butyricicoccus. LBPs treatment also increased the content of fecal short-chain fatty acids, including butyric acid. These findings illustrate that LBPs might be developed as a potential prebiotic to improve lipid metabolism and intestinal diseases.</p

DataSheet_1_Allicin Improves Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function and Prevents LPS-Induced Barrier Damages of Intestinal Epithelial Cell Monolayers.docx

Gut barrier disruption is the initial pathogenesis of various diseases. We previously reported that dietary allicin improves tight junction proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum stressed jejunum. However, whether the allicin benefits the gut barrier within mycotoxin or endotoxin exposure is unknown. In the present study, IPEC-J2 cell monolayers within or without deoxynivalenol (DON) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenges were employed to investigate the effects of allicin on intestinal barrier function and explore the potential mechanisms. Results clarified that allicin at 2 μg/mL increased the viability, whereas the allicin higher than 10 μg/mL lowered the viability of IPEC-J2 cells via inhibiting cell proliferation. Besides, allicin increased trans-epithelial electric resistance (TEER), decreased paracellular permeability, and enhanced ZO-1 integrity of the IPEC-J2 cell monolayers. Finally, allicin supplementation prevented the LPS-induced barrier damages via activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway-dependent antioxidant system. In conclusion, the present study strongly confirmed allicin as an effective nutrient to improve intestinal barrier function and prevent bacterial endotoxin-induced barrier damages.</p