Enteric glial cell network function is required for epithelial barrier restitution following intestinal ischemic injury in the early postnatal period.

Ischemic damage to the intestinal epithelial barrier, such as in necrotizing enterocolitis or small intestinal volvulus, is associated with higher mortality rates in younger patients. We have recently reported a powerful pig model to investigate these age-dependent outcomes in which mucosal barrier restitution is strikingly absent in neonates but can be rescued by direct application of homogenized mucosa from older, juvenile pigs by a yet-undefined mechanism. Within the mucosa, a postnatally developing network of enteric glial cells (EGCs) is gaining recognition as a key regulator of the mucosal barrier. Therefore, we hypothesized that the developing EGC network may play an important role in coordinating intestinal barrier repair in neonates. Neonatal and juvenile jejunal mucosa recovering from surgically induced intestinal ischemia was visualized by scanning electron microscopy and the transcriptomic phenotypes were assessed by bulk RNA sequencing. EGC network density and glial activity were examined by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, three-dimensional (3-D) volume imaging, and Western blot and its function in regulating epithelial restitution was assessed ex vivo in Ussing chamber using the glia-specific inhibitor fluoroacetate (FA), and in vitro by coculture assay. Here we refine and elaborate our translational model, confirming a neonatal phenotype characterized by a complete lack of coordinated reparative signaling in the mucosal microenvironment. Furthermore, we report important evidence that the subepithelial EGC network changes significantly over the early postnatal period and demonstrate that the proximity of a specific functional population of EGC to wounded intestinal epithelium contributes to intestinal barrier restitution following ischemic injury.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study refines a powerful translational pig model, defining an age-dependent relationship between enteric glia and the intestinal epithelium during intestinal ischemic injury and confirming an important role for enteric glial cell (EGC) activity in driving mucosal barrier restitution. This study suggests that targeting the enteric glial network could lead to novel interventions to improve recovery from intestinal injury in neonatal patients.

Gut microbiome contributions to altered metabolism in a pig model of undernutrition.

The concept that gut microbiome-expressed functions regulate ponderal growth has important implications for infant and child health, as well as animal health. Using an intergenerational pig model of diet restriction (DR) that produces reduced weight gain, we developed a feature-selection algorithm to identify representative characteristics distinguishing DR fecal microbiomes from those of full-fed (FF) pigs as both groups consumed a common sequence of diets during their growth cycle. Gnotobiotic mice were then colonized with DR and FF microbiomes and subjected to controlled feeding with a pig diet. DR microbiomes have reduced representation of genes that degrade dominant components of late growth-phase diets, exhibit reduced production of butyrate, a key host-accessible energy source, and are causally linked to reduced hepatic fatty acid metabolism (ß-oxidation) and the selection of alternative energy substrates. The approach described could aid in the development of guidelines for microbiome stewardship in diverse species, including farm animals, in order to support their healthy growth.

Dietary Prebiotic Oligosaccharides and Arachidonate Alter the Fecal Microbiota and Mucosal Lipid Composition of Suckling Pigs.

BACKGROUND: Early intestinal development is important to infant vitality, and optimal formula composition can promote gut health. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to evaluate the effects of arachidonate (ARA) and/or prebiotic oligosaccharide (PRE) supplementation in formula on the development of the microbial ecosystem and colonic health parameters. METHODS: Newborn piglets were fed 4 formulas containing ARA [0.5 compared with 2.5% of dietary fatty acids (FAs)] and PRE (0 compared with 8 g/L, containing a 1:1 mixture of galactooligosaccharides and polydextrose) in a 2 x 2 factorial design for 22 d. Fecal samples were collected weekly and analyzed for relative microbial abundance. Intestinal samples were collected on day 22 and analyzed for mucosal FAs, pH, and short-chain FAs (SCFAs). RESULTS: PRE supplementation significantly increased genera within Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, including Anaerostipes, Mitsuokella, Prevotella, Clostridium IV, and Bulleidia, and resulted in progressive separation from controls as determined by Principal Coordinates Analysis. Concentrations of SCFA increased from 70.98 to 87.37 mM, with an accompanying reduction in colonic pH. ARA supplementation increased the ARA content of the colonic mucosa from 2.35-5.34% of total FAs. PRE supplementation also altered mucosal FA composition, resulting in increased linoleic acid (11.52-16.33% of total FAs) and ARA (2.35-5.16% of total FAs). CONCLUSIONS: Prebiotic supplementation during the first 22 d of life altered the gut microbiota of piglets and increased the abundance of specific bacterial genera. These changes correlated with increased SCFA, which may benefit intestinal development. Although dietary ARA did not alter the microbiota, it increased the ARA content of the colonic mucosa, which may support intestinal development and epithelial repair. Prebiotic supplementation also increased unsaturation of FAs in the colonic mucosa. Although the mechanism requires further investigation, it may be related to altered microbial ecology or biohydrogenation of FA.

Intestinal Carnitine Status and Fatty Acid Oxidation in Response to Clofibrate and Medium-Chain Triglyceride Supplementation in Newborn Pigs.

To investigate the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) in carnitine status and intestinal fatty acid oxidation in neonates, a total of 72 suckled newborn piglets were assigned into 8 dietary treatments following a 2 (±0.35% clofibrate) × 4 (diets with: succinate+glycerol (Succ), tri-valerate (TC5), tri-hexanoate (TC6), or tri-2-methylpentanoate (TMPA)) factorial design. All pigs received experimental milk diets with isocaloric energy for 5 days. Carnitine statuses were evaluated, and fatty acid oxidation was measured in vitro using [1-14C]-palmitic acid (1 mM) as a substrate in absence or presence of L659699 (1.6 µM), iodoacetamide (50 µM), and carnitine (1 mM). Clofibrate increased concentrations of free (41%) and/or acyl-carnitine (44% and 15%) in liver and plasma but had no effects in the intestine. The effects on carnitine status were associated with the expression of genes involved in carnitine biosynthesis, absorption, and transportation. TC5 and TMPA stimulated the increased fatty acid oxidation rate induced by clofibrate, while TC6 had no effect on the increased fatty acid oxidation induced by clofibrate (p > 0.05). These results suggest that dietary clofibrate improved carnitine status and increased fatty acid oxidation. Propionyl-CoA, generated from TC5 and TMPA, could stimulate the increased fatty acid oxidation rate induced by clofibrate as anaplerotic carbon sources.

Modulation of intestinal stem cell homeostasis by nutrients: a novel therapeutic option for intestinal diseases.

Intestinal stem cells, which are capable of both self-renewal and differentiation to mature cell types, are responsible for maintaining intestinal epithelial homeostasis. Recent evidence indicates that these processes are mediated, in part, through nutritional status in response to diet. Diverse dietary patterns including caloric restriction, fasting, high-fat diets, ketogenic diets and high-carbohydrate diets as well as other nutrients control intestinal stem cell self-renewal and differentiation through nutrient-sensing pathways such as mammalian target of rapamycin and AMP-activated kinase. Herein, we summarise the current understanding of how intestinal stem cells contribute to intestinal epithelial homeostasis and diseases. We also discuss the effects of diet and nutrient-sensing pathways on intestinal stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, as well as their potential application in the prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases.

EPA and DHA attenuate deoxynivalenol-induced intestinal porcine epithelial cell injury and protect barrier function integrity by inhibiting necroptosis signaling pathway.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most common mycotoxins that contaminates food or feed and cause intestinal damage. Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as EPA and DHA exert beneficial effects on intestinal integrity in animal models and clinical trials. Necroptosis signaling pathway plays a critical role in intestinal cell injury. This study tested the hypothesis that EPA and DHA could alleviate DON-induced injury to intestinal porcine epithelial cells through modulation of the necroptosis signaling pathway. Intestinal porcine epithelial cell 1 (IPEC-1) cells were cultured with or without EPA or DHA (6.25-25 µg/mL) in the presence or absence of 0.5 µg/mL DON for indicated time points. Cell viability, cell number, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, cell necrosis, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran 4kDa (FD4) flux, tight junction protein distribution, and protein abundance of necroptosis related signals were determined. EPA and DHA promoted cell growth indicated by higher cell viability and cell number, and inhibited cell injury indicated by lower LDH activity in the media. EPA and DHA also improved intestinal barrier function, indicated by higher TEER and lower permeability of FD4 flux as well as increased proportions of tight junction proteins located in the plasma membrane. Moreover, EPA and DHA decreased cell necrosis demonstrated by live cell imaging and transmission electron microscopy. Finally, EPA and DHA downregulated protein expressions of necroptosis related signals including tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR1), receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIP1), RIP3, phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase-like protein (MLKL), phosphoglycerate mutase family 5 (PGAM5), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), and high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1). EPA and DHA also inhibited protein expression of caspase-3 and caspase-8. These results suggest that EPA and DHA prevent DON-induced intestinal cell injury and enhance barrier function, which is associated with inhibition of the necroptosis signaling pathway.

Probiotics, Prebiotics and Epithelial Tight Junctions: A Promising Approach to Modulate Intestinal Barrier Function.

Disruptions in the intestinal epithelial barrier can result in devastating consequences and a multitude of disease syndromes, particularly among preterm neonates. The association between barrier dysfunction and intestinal dysbiosis suggests that the intestinal barrier function is interactive with specific gut commensals and pathogenic microbes. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that probiotic supplementation promotes significant upregulation and relocalization of interepithelial tight junction proteins, which form the microscopic scaffolds of the intestinal barrier. Probiotics facilitate some of these effects through the ligand-mediated stimulation of several toll-like receptors that are expressed by the intestinal epithelium. In particular, bacterial-mediated stimulation of toll-like receptor-2 modulates the expression and localization of specific protein constituents of intestinal tight junctions. Given that ingested prebiotics are robust modulators of the intestinal microbiota, prebiotic supplementation has been similarly investigated as a potential, indirect mechanism of barrier preservation. Emerging evidence suggests that prebiotics may additionally exert a direct effect on intestinal barrier function through mechanisms independent of the gut microbiota. In this review, we summarize current views on the effects of pro- and prebiotics on the intestinal epithelial barrier as well as on non-epithelial cell barrier constituents, such as the enteric glial cell network. Through continued investigation of these bioactive compounds, we can maximize their therapeutic potential for preventing and treating gastrointestinal diseases associated with impaired intestinal barrier function and dysbiosis.

Oesophageal eosinophilia accompanies food allergy to hen egg white protein in young pigs.

BACKGROUND: Esophagitis with eosinophilia, inflammation, and fibrosis represent a chronic condition in humans with food allergies. OBJECTIVE: In this investigation, we asked whether esophagitis with an eosinophilic component is observed in young pigs rendered allergic to hen egg white protein (HEWP). METHODS: Food allergy was induced in young pigs using two protocols. In one protocol, sensitized pigs were challenged by gavage with a single dose of HEWP. Clinical signs were monitored for 24 hours, and then, gastrointestinal (GI) tissues were collected for histological examination. The phenotype of circulating, ovalbumin (OVA)-specific T cells also was examined in HEWP challenged animals. In the second protocol, sensitized animals were fed HEWP for 28 days. Animals were then examined by endoscopy and gastrointestinal tissues collected for histological examination. RESULTS: In pigs challenged by gavage with HEWP, clinical signs were noted in 5/6 pigs including diarrhoea, emesis, and skin rash. Clinical signs were not seen in any control group. Histological analysis revealed significant levels of oesophageal eosinophilic infiltration (P < .05) in 4/6 of these animals, with two also displaying eosinophilic infiltration in the stomach. Eosinophils were not increased in ileum or colon samples. Increased numbers of circulating, OVA-specific CD4+ T cells also were observed in pigs that received HEWP by gavage. In the group of animals fed HEWP, endoscopy revealed clinical signs of esophagitis including oedema, granularity, white spots, and furrowing, while histology revealed oedema, immune cell infiltration, and basal zone hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Food allergy in the pig can be associated with esophagitis based on histological and endoscopic findings, including eosinophilic infiltration. The young pig may, therefore, be a useful large animal model for the study of eosinophilic esophagitis in humans.

Ontogeny of carnitine biosynthesis in Sus scrofa domesticus, inferred from γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase (dioxygenase) activity and substrate inhibition.

γ-Butyrobetaine hydroxylase (γ-BBH) is the last limiting enzyme of the l-carnitine biosynthesis pathway and plays an important role in catalyzing the hydroxylation of γ-butyrobetaine (γ-BB) to l-carnitine. To study the developmental effect of substrate concentration on the enzyme's specific activity, kinetics of γ-BBH were measured in liver and kidney from newborn and 1-, 7-, 21-, 35-, 56-, and 210-day-old domestic pigs. Fresh tissue homogenates were assayed under nine concentrations of γ-BB from 0 to 1.5 mM. Substrate inhibition associated with age was observed at ≥0.6 mM of γ-BB. Hepatic activity was low at birth but increased after 1 day. By 21 days, the activity rose by 6.6-fold (P < 0.05) and remained constant after 56 days. Renal activity was higher than in liver at birth but remained constant through 35 days. By 56 days, the velocity increased by 44% over the activity at birth (P < 0.05). The apparent Km for γ-BB at birth on average was 2.8-fold higher than at 1 day. The Km value was 60% higher in kidney than liver during development but showed no difference in adult pigs. The total organ enzyme activity increased by 130-fold for liver and 18-fold for kidney as organ weight increased from birth to 56 days. In conclusion, age and substrate affect γ-BBH specific activity and Km for γ-BB in liver and kidney. Whereas the predominant organ for carnitine synthesis is likely the kidney at birth, the liver appears to predominate after the pig exceeds 7 days of age.

What Constitutes a Gluconeogenic Precursor?

A gluconeogenic precursor is a biochemical compound acted on by a gluconeogenic pathway enabling the net synthesis of glucose. Recognized gluconeogenic precursors in fasting placental mammals include glycerol, lactate/pyruvate, certain amino acids, and odd-chain length fatty acids. Each of these precursors is capable of contributing net amounts of carbon to glucose synthesis via the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) because they are anaplerotic, that is, they are able to increase the pools of TCA cycle intermediates by the contribution of more carbon than is lost via carbon dioxide. The net synthesis of glucose from even-chain length fatty acids (ECFAs) in fasting placental mammals, via the TCA cycle alone, is not possible because equal amounts of carbon are lost via carbon dioxide as is contributed from fatty acid oxidation via acetyl-CoA. Therefore, ECFAs do not meet the criteria to be recognized as a gluconeogenic precursor via the TCA cycle alone. ECFAs are gluconeogenic precursors in organisms with a functioning glyoxylate cycle, which enables the net contribution of carbon to the intermediates of the TCA cycle from ECFAs and the net synthesis of glucose. The net conversion of ECFAs to glucose in fasting placental mammals via C3 metabolism of acetone may be a competent though inefficient metabolic path by which ECFA could be considered a gluconeogenic precursor. Defining a substrate as a gluconeogenic precursor requires careful articulation of the definition, organism, and physiologic conditions under consideration.

Effects of Dietary Anaplerotic and Ketogenic Energy Sources on Renal Fatty Acid Oxidation Induced by Clofibrate in Suckling Neonatal Pigs.

Maintaining an active fatty acid metabolism is important for renal growth, development, and health. We evaluated the effects of anaplerotic and ketogenic energy sources on fatty acid oxidation during stimulation with clofibrate, a pharmacologic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonist. Suckling newborn pigs (n = 72) were assigned into 8 dietary treatments following a 2 × 4 factorial design: ± clofibrate (0.35%) and diets containing 5% of either (1) glycerol-succinate (GlySuc), (2) tri-valerate (TriC5), (3) tri-hexanoate (TriC6), or (4) tri-2-methylpentanoate (Tri2MPA). Pigs were housed individually and fed the iso-caloric milk replacer diets for 5 d. Renal fatty acid oxidation was measured in vitro in fresh tissue homogenates using [1-14C]-labeled palmitic acid. The oxidation was 30% greater in pig received clofibrate and 25% greater (p < 0.05) in pigs fed the TriC6 diet compared to those fed diets with GlySuc, TriC5, and Tri2MPA. Addition of carnitine also stimulated the oxidation by twofold (p < 0.05). The effects of TriC6 and carnitine on palmitic acid oxidation were not altered by clofibrate stimulation. However, renal fatty acid composition was altered by clofibrate and Tri2MPA. In conclusion, modification of anaplerosis or ketogenesis via dietary substrates had no influence on in vitro renal palmitic acid oxidation induced by PPARα activation.

Activation of PPARα by Oral Clofibrate Increases Renal Fatty Acid Oxidation in Developing Pigs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) activation by clofibrate on both mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation in the developing kidney. Ten newborn pigs from 5 litters were randomly assigned to two groups and fed either 5 mL of a control vehicle (2% Tween 80) or a vehicle containing clofibrate (75 mg/kg body weight, treatment). The pigs received oral gavage daily for three days. In vitro fatty acid oxidation was then measured in kidneys with and without mitochondria inhibitors (antimycin A and rotenone) using [1-14C]-labeled oleic acid (C18:1) and erucic acid (C22:1) as substrates. Clofibrate significantly stimulated C18:1 and C22:1 oxidation in mitochondria (p < 0.001) but not in peroxisomes. In addition, the oxidation rate of C18:1 was greater in mitochondria than peroxisomes, while the oxidation of C22:1 was higher in peroxisomes than mitochondria (p < 0.001). Consistent with the increase in fatty acid oxidation, the mRNA abundance and enzyme activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT I) in mitochondria were increased. Although mRNA of mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase (mHMGCS) was increased, the ß-hydroxybutyrate concentration measured in kidneys did not increase in pigs treated with clofibrate. These findings indicate that PPARα activation stimulates renal fatty acid oxidation but not ketogenesis.

Dietary Isomers of Sialyllactose Increase Ganglioside Sialic Acid Concentrations in the Corpus Callosum and Cerebellum and Modulate the Colonic Microbiota of Formula-Fed Piglets.

BACKGROUND: Sialyllactose is a key human milk oligosaccharide and consists of sialic acid (SA) bound to a lactose molecule. Breastfed infants have increased accumulation of ganglioside-bound SA compared with formula-fed infants. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether different isomers of sialyllactose enrich brain SA and modulate the microbiome of developing neonatal piglets. METHODS: Day-old pigs were randomly allocated to 6 diets (control, 2 or 4 g 3'-sialyllactose/L, 2 or 4 g 6'-sialyllactose/L, or 2 g polydextrose/L + 2 g galacto-oligosaccharides/L; n = 9) and fed 3 times/d for 21 d. Pigs were killed, and the left hemisphere of the brain was dissected into cerebrum, cerebellum, corpus callosum, and hippocampus regions. SA was determined by using a modified periodic acid-resorcinol reaction. Microbial composition of the intestinal digesta was analyzed with the use of 16S ribosomal DNA Illumina sequencing. RESULTS: Dietary sialyllactose did not affect feed intake, growth, or fecal consistency. Ganglioside-bound SA in the corpus callosum of pigs fed 2 g 3'-sialyllactose or 6'-sialyllactose/L increased by 15% in comparison with control pigs. Similarly, ganglioside-bound SA in the cerebellum of pigs fed 4 g 3'-sialyllactose/L increased by 10% in comparison with control pigs. Significant (P < 0.05, Adonis Test) microbiome differences were observed in the proximal and distal colons of piglets fed control compared with 4-g 6'-sialyllactose/L formulas. Differences were attributed to an increase in bacterial taxa belonging to species Collinsella aerofaciens (phylum Actinobacteria), genera Ruminococcus and Faecalibacterium (phylum Firmicutes), and genus Prevotella (phylum Bacteroidetes) (Wald test, P < 0.05, DeSeq2) compared with piglets fed the control diet. Taxa belonging to families Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcaceae (phylum Proteobacteria), as well as taxa belonging to family Lachnospiraceae and order Lactobacillales (phylum Firmicutes), were 2.3- and 4-fold lower, respectively, in 6'-sialyllactose-fed piglets than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of formula with 3'- or 6'-sialyllactose can enrich ganglioside SA in the brain and modulate gut-associated microbiota in neonatal pigs. We propose 2 potential routes by which sialyllactose may positively affect the neonate: serving as a source of SA for neurologic development and promoting beneficial microbiota.

Asparagine reduces the mRNA expression of muscle atrophy markers via regulating protein kinase B (Akt), AMP-activated protein kinase α, toll-like receptor 4 and nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain protein signalling in weaning piglets after lipopolysaccharide challenge.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines are critical in mechanisms of muscle atrophy. In addition, asparagine (Asn) is necessary for protein synthesis in mammalian cells. We hypothesised that Asn could attenuate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced muscle atrophy in a piglet model. Piglets were allotted to four treatments (non-challenged control, LPS-challenged control, LPS+0·5 % Asn and LPS+1·0 % Asn). On day 21, the piglets were injected with LPS or saline. At 4 h post injection, piglet blood and muscle samples were collected. Asn increased protein and RNA content in muscles, and decreased mRNA expression of muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx) and muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1). However, Asn had no effect on the protein abundance of MAFbx and MuRF1. In addition, Asn decreased muscle AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α phosphorylation, but increased muscle protein kinase B (Akt) and Forkhead Box O (FOXO) 1 phosphorylation. Moreover, Asn decreased the concentrations of TNF-α, cortisol and glucagon in plasma, and TNF-α mRNA expression in muscles. Finally, Asn decreased mRNA abundance of muscle toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain protein (NOD) signalling-related genes, and regulated their negative regulators. The beneficial effects of Asn on muscle atrophy may be associated with the following: (1) inhibiting muscle protein degradation via activating Akt and inactivating AMPKα and FOXO1; and (2) decreasing the expression of muscle pro-inflammatory cytokines via inhibiting TLR4 and NOD signalling pathways by modulation of their negative regulators.

Effect of dietary manganese on antioxidant status and expressions of heat shock proteins and factors in tissues of laying broiler breeders under normal and high environmental temperatures.

To investigate the effect of Mn on antioxidant status and on the expressions of heat shock proteins/factors in tissues of laying broiler breeders subjected to heat challenge, we used a completely randomised design (n 6) with a factorial arrangement of 2 environmental temperatures (normal, 21±1°C, and high, 32±1°C)×3 dietary Mn treatments (a Mn-unsupplemented basal diet (CON), or a basal diet supplemented with 120 mg Mn/kg diet, either as inorganic Mn sulphate (iMn) or as organic Mn proteinate (oMn)). There were no interactions (P>0·10) between environmental temperature and dietary Mn in any of the measured indices. High temperature decreased (P<0·003) Mn content, and also tended (P=0·07) to decrease Cu Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) activity in the liver and heart. However, an increased Mn superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity (P<0·05) and a slight increase in malondialdehyde level (P=0·06) were detected in breast muscle. Up-regulated (P<0·05) expressions of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) and HSF3 mRNA and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA and protein were found in all three tissues. Broiler breeders fed either iMn or oMn had higher tissue Mn content (P<0·0001), heart MnSOD and CuZnSOD activities (P<0·01) and breast muscle MnSOD protein levels (P<0·05), and lower (P<0·05) breast muscle HSP70 mRNA and protein levels compared with those fed CON. Broiler breeders fed oMn had higher (P<0·03) bone Mn content than those fed iMn. These results indicate that high temperature decreases Mn retention and increases HSP70, HSF1 and HSF3 expressions in the tissues of laying broiler breeders. Furthermore, dietary supplementation with Mn in either source may enhance the heart's antioxidant ability and inhibit the expression of HSP70 in breast muscle. Finally, the organic Mn appears to be more available than inorganic Mn for bone in laying broiler breeders regardless of environmental temperatures.

Peroxidised dietary lipids impair intestinal function and morphology of the small intestine villi of nursery pigs in a dose-dependent manner.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing degrees of lipid peroxidation on structure and function of the small intestine of nursery pigs. A total of 216 pigs (mean body weight was 6·5 kg) were randomly allotted within weight blocks and sex and fed one of five experimental diets for 35 d (eleven pens per treatment with three to four pigs per pen). Treatments included a control diet without added lipid, and diets supplemented with 6 % soyabean oil that was exposed to heat (80°C) and constant oxygen flow (1 litre/min) for 0, 6, 9 and 12 d. Increasing lipid peroxidation linearly reduced feed intake (P<0·001) and weight gain (P=0·024). Apparent faecal digestibility of gross energy (P=0·001) and fat (P<0·001) decreased linearly as the degree of peroxidation increased. Absorption of mannitol (linear, P=0·097) and d-xylose (linear, P=0·089), measured in serum 2 h post gavage with a solution containing 0·2 g/ml of d-xylose and 0·3 g/ml of mannitol, tended to decrease progressively as the peroxidation level increased. Increasing peroxidation also resulted in increased villi height (linear, P<0·001) and crypt depth (quadratic, P=0·005) in the jejunum. Increasing peroxidation increased malondialdehyde concentrations (quadratic, P=0·035) and reduced the total antioxidant capacity (linear, P=0·044) in the jejunal mucosa. In conclusion, lipid peroxidation progressively diminished animal performance and modified the function and morphology of the small intestine of nursery pigs. Detrimental effects were related with the disruption of redox environment of the intestinal mucosa.

Effect of dietary manganese on antioxidant status and expression levels of heat-shock proteins and factors in tissues of laying broiler breeders under normal and high environmental temperatures.

To investigate the effect of Mn on antioxidant status and expression levels of heat-shock proteins/factors in tissues of laying broiler breeders subjected to heat challenge, we used a completely randomised design (n 6) with a factorial arrangement of 2 environmental temperatures (normal, 21 (sem 1)°C and high, 32 (sem 1)°C)×3 dietary Mn treatments (an Mn-unsupplemented basal diet (CON), or a basal diet supplemented with 120 mg Mn/kg diet as inorganic Mn sulphate (iMn) or organic Mn proteinate (oMn)). There were no interactions (P>0·10) between environmental temperature and dietary Mn in all of the measured indices. High temperature decreased (P<0·003) Mn content, and also tended (P=0·07) to decrease copper zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) activity in the liver and heart. However, an increased manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity (P<0·05) and a slight increase of malondialdehyde level (P=0·06) were detected in breast muscle. Up-regulated (P<0·05) expression levels of heat-shock factor 1 (HSF1) and HSF3 mRNA and heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA and protein were found in all three tissues. Broiler breeders fed either iMn or oMn had higher tissue Mn content (P<0·0001), heart MnSOD and CuZnSOD activities (P<0·01) and breast muscle MnSOD protein levels (P<0·05), and lower (P<0·05) breast muscle HSP70 mRNA and protein levels than those fed CON. Broiler breeders fed oMn had higher (P<0·03) bone Mn content than those fed iMn. These results indicate that high temperature decreases Mn retention and increases HSP70 and HSF1, HSF3 expression levels in tissues of laying broiler breeders. Furthermore, dietary supplementation with Mn in either source may enhance heart antioxidant ability and inhibit the expression of HSP70 in breast muscle. Finally, the organic Mn appears to be more available than inorganic Mn for bone in laying broiler breeders regardless of environmental temperatures.

Effects of acute and chronic heat stress on plasma metabolites, hormones and oxidant status in restrictedly fed broiler breeders.

Heat tolerance can be improved by feed restriction in broiler chickens. It is unknown whether the same is true for broiler breeders, which are restrictedly fed. Therefore, the current study was conducted to study the effects of heat stress on plasma metabolites, hormones, and oxidative status of restricted fed broiler breeders with special emphases on the temperature and latency of heat exposure. In trial 1, 12 broiler breeders were kept either in a thermoneutral chamber (21°C, control, n = 6) or in a chamber with a step-wise increased environmental temperature from 21 to 33°C (21, 25, 29, 33°C, heat-stressed, n = 6). Changes in plasma total cholesterol, glucose, and triiodothyronine (T3) were closely related to the environmental temperature. When the temperature reached 29°C, plasma T3 (P < 0.05) was significantly decreased in acute heat-stressed birds, whereas plasma glucose (P < 0.001) and cholesterol (P = 0.002) increased only when the temperature reached 33°C. Plasma triglyceride (P = 0.026) and creatine kinase (CK, P = 0.018) were lower in heat-stressed birds than controls regardless of the temperatures applied. In Trial 2, 24 broiler breeders were divided into 2 groups and raised under 21°C and 32°C for 8 weeks, respectively. Total cholesterol was increased in chronic heat-stressed broiler breeders after 4 weeks. Plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, P = 0.047) and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT, P = 0.036) was up-regulated after 6 weeks of thermal treatment, whereas plasma CK (P = 0.009) was increased at the end of thermal treatment. Plasma malonaldehyde, protein carbonyl content, activity of total superoxide dismutase (SOD), and corticosterone content were not altered after acute and prolonged heat challenges. Taken together, acute heat stress primarily resulted in disturbance of plasma metabolites, whereas chronic heat stress caused tissue damage reflected by increased plasma LDA, GOT, and CK. During acute heat stress, plasma metabolites were minimally disturbed in broiler breeders until the environmental temperature reached 33°C.

Clofibrate increases long-chain fatty acid oxidation by neonatal pigs.

BACKGROUND: Utilization of energy-dense lipid fuels is critical to the rapid development and growth of neonates. OBJECTIVE: To increase efficiency of milk fat utilization by newborn pigs, the effect of clofibrate on in vivo and in vitro long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) oxidation was evaluated. METHODS: Newborn male pigs were administered 5 mL of vehicle (2% Tween 80) with or without clofibrate (75 mg/kg body weight) once daily via i.g. gavage for 4 d. Total LCFA oxidative capacity was measured in respiration chambers after gastric infusion (n = 5 per treatment) with isoenergetic amounts of [1-(14)C]triglycerides (TGs), either oleic acid (18:1n-9) TG [3.02 mmol/kg body weight (BW)(0.75)] or erucic acid (22:1n-9) TG (2.46 mmol/kg BW(0.75)). Total expired (14)CO2 was collected and quantified at 20-min intervals over 24 h. Hepatic in vitro LCFA oxidation was determined simultaneously using [1-(14)C]oleic acid and erucic acid substrates. RESULTS: The in vivo 24-h accumulative [1-(14)C]TG oxidation (percentage of energy intake/kg BW(0.75)) tended to increase with clofibrate supplementation (P = 0.10), although there was no difference in the peak or mean utilization rate. The maximal extent of oleic acid TG oxidation was 1.6-fold that of erucic acid TG (P < 0.006). Hepatic in vitro LCFA oxidation increased 61% with clofibrate (P < 0.0008). The increase in mitochondria was 4-fold greater than in peroxisomes. The relative abundance of mRNA increased 2- to 3-fold for hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and its target genes (fatty acyl-coenzyme A oxidase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase) in the pigs that were administered clofibrate (P < 0.04). CONCLUSION: Clofibrate may improve in vivo LCFA oxidative utilization in neonatal pigs.

Protocol to culture enteric glial cells from the submucosal and myenteric plexi of neonatal and juvenile pig colons.

Here, we present our protocol to culture enteric glial cells from the submucosal and myenteric plexus of neonatal and juvenile pig colons. We describe steps for colon isolation, microdissection, and enzymatic and mechanical dissociation. We include procedures for passaging and analyzing cell yield, freeze/thaw efficiency, and purity. This protocol allows for the generation of primary cultures of enteric glial cells from single-cell suspensions of microdissected layers of the colon wall and can be used to culture enteric glia from human colon specimens. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Ziegler et al.1.