Impact of dietary organic acids and botanicals on intestinal integrity and inflammation in weaned pigs

BACKGROUND: Organic acids, such as citric and sorbic acid, and pure plant-derived constituents, like monoterpens and aldehydes, have a long history of use in pig feeding as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters. However, their effects on the intestinal barrier function and inflammation have never been investigated. Therefore, aim of this study was to assess the impact of a microencapsulated mixture of citric acid and sorbic acid (OA) and pure botanicals, namely thymol and vanillin, (PB) on the intestinal integrity and functionality of weaned pigs and in vitro on Caco-2 cells. In the first study 20 piglets were divided in 2 groups and received either a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with OA + PB (5 g/kg) for 2 weeks post-weaning at the end of which ileum and jejunum samples were collected for Ussing chambers analysis of trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TER), intermittent short-circuit current (I(SC)), and dextran flux. Scrapings of ileum mucosa were also collected for cytokine analysis (n = 6). In the second study we measured the effect of these compounds directly on TER and permeability of Caco-2 monolayers treated with either 0.2 or 1 g/l of OA + PB. RESULTS: Pigs fed with OA + PB tended to have reduced I(SC) in the ileum (P = 0.07) and the ileal gene expression of IL-12, TGF-β, and IL-6 was down regulated. In the in vitro study on Caco-2 cells, TER was increased by the supplementation of 0.2 g/l at 4, 6, and 14 days of the experiment, whereas 1 g/l increased TER at 10 and 12 days of treatment (P < 0.05). Dextran flux was not significantly affected though a decrease was observed at 7 and 14 days (P = 0.10 and P = 0.09, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, considering the results from both experiments, OA + PB improved the maturation of the intestinal mucosa by modulating the local and systemic inflammatory pressure ultimately resulting in a less permeable intestine, and eventually improving the growth of piglets prematurely weaned

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Not AvailableThree total mixed rations (TMR) were prepared namely T1-control where soybean meal was incorporated at 9.6 % of TMR, T2-detoxified neem cake (dNC) was incorporated at 3.85 % of TMR and T3-detoxified karanja cake (dKC) was incorporated at 5.85 % of TMR and fed to three groups of six crossbred cows in each group for 90 days. Milk yield (kg/day) and FCM yield (kg/day) increased in all the groups. The average milk fat was found to be lower in (P<0.05) in T3-dKC group (5.03±0.21) compared to T1-control (6.13±0.25). Nutrient intakes and digestibilities were found to be same. Blood profiles like albumin, glucose, LDH and ALP concentrations were higher (P<0.05) and globulin and urea concentration were lower (P<0.05) at the end of experiment in all the groups. Serum cortisol (nM/L) and IGF-1 (ng/ml) concentration were also found to be same in all groups. However, final IGF-1hormone concentrations were found to be higher (P<0.05) compared to initial values in all the groups. In can be concluded that feeding of TMR containing dNC and dKC have improved milk yield in 90 days lactation period without adversely affecting milk composition, milk production efficiency. Similar effects were observed even nutrient digestibility and nutritive value of diets indicating these unconventional protein supplements can be included in TMR of dairy cattle. Positive effects on serum albumin, glucose, LDH and ALP concentrations and IGF I concentrations were observed at the end of feeding period of 90 days in both treatment groups compared to control.Department of Biotechnology, (DBT), Government of India, New Delh