Lactate Mediates High-Intensity Interval Training-Induced Promotion of Hippocampal Mitochondrial Function through the GPR81-ERK1/2 Pathway.

Mitochondrial biogenesis and fusion are essential for maintaining healthy mitochondria and ATP production. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can enhance mitochondrial function in mouse hippocampi, but its underlying mechanism is not completely understood. Lactate generated during HIIT may mediate the beneficial effects of HIIT on neuroplasticity by activating the lactate receptor GPR81. Furthermore, growing evidence shows that lactate contributes to mitochondrial function. Given that mitochondrial function is crucial for cerebral physiological processes, the current study aimed to determine the mechanism of HIIT in hippocampal mitochondrial function. In vivo, GPR81 was knocked down in the hippocampi of mice via the injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. The GPR81-knockdown mice were subjected to HIIT. The results demonstrated that HIIT increased mitochondria numbers, ATP production, and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in the hippocampi of mice. In addition, HIIT induced mitochondrial biogenesis, fusion, synaptic plasticity, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation but not in GPR81-knockdown mice. In vitro, Neuro-2A cells were treated with L-lactate, a GPR81 agonist, and an ERK1/2 inhibitor. The results showed that both L-lactate and the GPR81 agonist increased mitochondrial biogenesis, fusion, ATP levels, OXPHOS, mitochondrial membrane potential, and synaptic plasticity. However, the inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation blunted L-lactate or the GPR81 agonist-induced promotion of mitochondrial function and synaptic plasticity. In conclusion, our findings suggest that lactate mediates HIIT-induced promotion of mitochondrial function through the GPR81-ERK1/2 pathway.

Mixed organic acids as an alternative to antibiotics improve serum biochemical parameters and intestinal health of weaned piglets.

The primary aim of this experiment was to critically explore the relationship between the different levels of mixed organic acids (MOA) and growth performance, serum antioxidant status and intestinal health of weaned piglets, as well as to investigate the potential possibility of MOA alternative to antibiotics growth promoters (AGP). A total of 180 healthy piglets (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire]; weighing 7.81 ± 1.51 kg each, weaned at d 28) were randomly divided into 5 treatments: 1) basal diet (CON); 2) CON + chlorinomycin (75 mg/kg) + virginiamycin (15 mg/kg) + guitaromycin (50 mg/kg) (AGP); 3) CON + MOA (3,000 mg/kg) (OA1); 4) CON + MOA (5,000 mg/kg) (OA2); 5) CON + MOA (7,000 mg/kg) (OA3). This study design included 6 replicates per treatment with 6 piglets per pen (barrow:gilt = 1:1) and the experiment was separated into phase 1 (d 1 to 14) and phase 2 (d 15 to 28). In phases 1, 2 and overall, compared with the CON, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was reduced (P < 0.01) and the average daily gain (ADG) was increased (P < 0.05) in piglets supplemented with AGP, OA1 and OA2. The concentration of serum immunoglobulins G (IgG) was improved (P < 0.05) in piglets supplemented with OA2 in phase 2. In the jejunum and ileum, the villus height:crypt depth ratio was significantly increased (P < 0.01) in piglets fed AGP and OA1. The mRNA expression level of claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) (P < 0.01) was up-regulated in piglets supplemented with OA1 and OA2. The piglets fed AGP, OA1 and OA2 showed an increase (P < 0.05) in the content of acetate acid and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) in the cecum, and butyric acid and TVFA in the colon compared with CON. Also, OA1 lowered (P < 0.05) the content of Lachnospiraceae in piglets. These results demonstrated that MOA at 3,000 or 5,000 mg/kg could be an alternative to antibiotics due to the positive effects on performance, immune parameters, and intestinal health of weaned piglets. However, from the results of the quadratic fitting curve, it is inferred that MOA at a dose of 4,000 mg/kg may produce a better effect.

Source of fiber influences growth, immune responses, gut barrier function and microbiota in weaned piglets fed antibiotic-free diets.

This study examined the impacts of different fiber sources on growth, immune status and gut health in weaned piglets fed antibiotic-free diets. Sixty piglets (BW = 8.18 ± 1.35 kg) were assigned to 3 dietary treatments based on BW and gender in a randomized complete block design (5 replicates/treatment and 4 piglets [2 barrows and 2 gilts]/replicate): (1) an antibiotic-free diet (control, CON); (2) CON + 6% wheat bran (WB); (3) CON + 4% sugar beet pulp (SBP). Dietary WB supplementation tended to increase ADG compared with CON from d 1 to 14 (P = 0.051) and from d 1 to 28 (P = 0.099). Supplementation of WB increased (P < 0.05) G:F compared with CON and SBP from d 1 to 14 and from d 1 to 28. Compared with CON, the addition of WB reduced (P < 0.05) diarrhea rate from d 1 to 14 and tended (P = 0.054) to reduce diarrhea rate from d 1 to 28. The addition of WB decreased (P < 0.05) serum diamine oxidase activity on d 14, and up-regulated (P < 0.05) ileal mRNA levels of occludin on d 28 when compared with CON. Piglets fed WB showed decreased (P < 0.05) serum interleukin-6 levels compared to those fed SBP and decreased (P < 0.05) ileal interleukin-8 levels compared to those fed CON and SBP on d 28. Supplementation of WB increased (P < 0.05) serum levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG and IgM compared with SBP on d 14, and increased (P < 0.05) the levels of serum IgA and ileal sIgA compared with CON and SBP on d 28. Piglets fed WB showed an enhanced (P < 0.05) α-diversity of cecal microbiota than those fed SBP, while piglets fed SBP showed reduced (P < 0.05) α-diversity of cecal microbiota than those fed CON. Compared with CON, the addition of WB elevated (P < 0.05) the abundance of Lachnospira and cecal butyric acid level. Piglets fed WB also showed increased (P < 0.05) abundances of Lachnospira and unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae compared with those fed SBP. Collectively, the supplementation of WB to antibiotic-free diets improved performance, immune responses, gut barrier function and microbiota compared with the CON and SBP fed piglets. Therefore, supplementing weaned piglets with WB was more effective than SBP.

Live Yeast or Live Yeast Combined with Zinc Oxide Enhanced Growth Performance, Antioxidative Capacity, Immunoglobulins and Gut Health in Nursery Pigs.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary LY or LY combined with ZnO supplementation on performance and gut health in nursery pigs. 192 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire piglets (weaned on d 32 of the age with 9.2 ± 1.7 kg BW) were allocated into four treatments with eight replicate pens, six piglets per pen. The treatments included a basal diet as control (CTR), an antibiotic plus ZnO diet (CTC-ZnO, basal diet + 75 mg/kg of chlortetracycline + ZnO (2000 mg/kg from d 1 to 14, 160 mg/kg from d 15 to 28)), a LY diet (LY, basal diet + 2 g/kg LY), and a LY plus ZnO diet (LY-ZnO, basal diet + 1 g/kg LY + ZnO). The results showed that pigs fed LY or LY-ZnO had increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain, serum IgA, IgG, superoxide dismutase, fecal butyric acid, and total volatile fatty acid concentrations, as well as decreased (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio and diarrhea rate compared with CTR. In conclusion, pigs fed diets with LY or LY combined with ZnO had similar improvement to the use of antibiotics and ZnO in performance, antioxidant status, immunoglobulins, and gut health in nursery pigs.

Maternal supplementation with a combination of wheat bran and sugar beet pulp during late gestation and lactation improves growth and intestinal functions in piglets.

Maternal diet has a profound impact on growth and immune development of offspring. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal supplementation with a combination of wheat bran (WB, a source of insoluble dietary fiber) and sugar beet pulp (SBP, a source of soluble dietary fiber) on growth and intestinal morphology, immunity, barrier function and microbiota in piglets. Thirty sows (Landrace × Yorkshire; 3-6 parity) were randomly allocated to 2 dietary treatments from d 85 of gestation to weaning (d 21 of lactation). The 2 dietary treatments were: a control diet (CON, a corn-soybean meal diet) and a dietary fiber diet (DF, 15% WB and 10% SBP during gestation and 7.5% WB and 5% SBP during lactation). Maternal DF supplementation improved growth, serum growth hormones and ileal morphology in piglets. Piglets fed DF showed enhanced intestinal barrier function as indicated by reduced serum concentrations of diamine oxidase and endotoxin, and increased ileal mRNA level of occludin. Maternal DF supplementation reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines in the colostrum, milk and serum of piglets. Furthermore, maternal DF supplementation decreased the colonic abundance of Subdoligranulum and Mogibacterium, and increased the colonic abundance of Lactobacillus and norank_f__Bacteroidales_S24-7_group and the colonic concentration of acetate and butyrate in piglets. In summary, maternal supplementation with a combination of SBP and WB during late gestation and lactation improved cytokines in colostrum and milk, growth, immune responses, intestinal morphology, barrier function and microbiota in piglets, which may be a potential strategy to improve offspring growth and intestinal functions.

Impact of sugar beet pulp and wheat bran on serum biochemical profile, inflammatory responses and gut microbiota in sows during late gestation and lactation.

BACKGROUND: Sows are frequently subjected to various stresses during late gestation and lactation, which trigger inflammatory response and metabolic disorders. Dietary fiber can influence animal health by modulating gut microbiota and their by-products, with the effects depending upon the source of the dietary fiber. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of different fiber sources on body condition, serum biochemical parameters, inflammatory responses and fecal microbiota in sows from late gestation to lactation. METHODS: Forty-five multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace; 3-6 parity) were assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments from d 85 of gestation to the end of lactation (d 21 post-farrowing): a control diet (CON, a corn-soybean meal diet), a sugar beet pulp diet (SBP, 20% SBP during gestation and 10% SBP during lactation), and a wheat bran diet (WB, 30% WB during gestation and 15% WB during lactation). RESULTS: Compared with CON, supplementation of SBP decreased (P < 0.05) lactation BW loss, reduced (P < 0.05) serum concentration of total cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and increased (P < 0.05) fecal water content on d 110 of gestation and d 21 of lactation, while supplementation of WB reduced (P < 0.05) serum concentration of total cholesterol on d 110 of gestation, increased (P < 0.05) fecal water content and decreased (P < 0.05) serum interleukin-6 concentration on d 110 of gestation and d 21 of lactation. In addition, sows fed SBP had lower (P < 0.01) abundance of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and Terrisporobacter than those fed CON, but had greater (P < 0.05) abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002 than those fed the other two diets on d 110 of gestation. On d 21 of lactation, supplementation of SBP decreased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus, but enriched (P < 0.05) the abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002, Prevotellaceae_UCG_001 and unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae compared with WB. Compared with CON, sows fed SBP had greater (P < 0.05) fecal concentrations of acetate, butyrate and total SCFAs during gestation and lactation, while sows fed WB only had greater (P < 0.05) fecal concentration of butyrate during lactation. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of dietary fiber during late gestation and lactation could improve sow metabolism and gut health, and SBP was more effective than WB.

Phenolic compounds as natural feed additives in poultry and swine diets: a review.

Due to ban on using antibiotics in feed industry, awareness of using natural feed additives have led to a great demand. The interest of plants phenolic compounds as a potential natural antioxidant source has been considered in research community due to their predictable potential role as feed additives in poultry and swine production. However, the mode of action for their functional role and dosage recommendation in animal diets are still remain indistinct. Taking into account, the present review study highlights an outline about the mode of action of phenolic compound and their experimental uses in poultry and swine focusing on the growth performance, antioxidant function, immune function, antimicrobial role and overall health status, justified with the past findings till to date. Finally, the present review study concluded that supplementation of phenolic compounds as natural feed additives may have a role on the antioxidant, immunity, antimicrobial and overall production performance in poultry and swine.

[Research advances on high-intensity interval training and cognitive function].

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has proven to be a time-saving and efficient exercise strategy. Compared with traditional aerobic exercise, it can provide similar or even better health benefits. In recent years, a number of studies have suggested that HIIT could be used as a potential exercise rehabilitation therapy to improve cognitive impairment caused by obesity, diabetes, stroke, dementia and other diseases. HIIT may be superior to regular aerobic exercise. This article reviews the recent research progress on HIIT with a focus on its beneficial effect on brain cognitive function and the underlying mechanisms. HIIT may become an effective exercise for the prevention and/or improvement of brain cognitive disorder.

Elevated Lactate by High-Intensity Interval Training Regulates the Hippocampal BDNF Expression and the Mitochondrial Quality Control System.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is reported to be beneficial to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) biosynthesis. A key element in this may be the existence of lactate, the most obvious metabolic product of exercise. In vivo, this study investigated the effects of a 6-week HIIT on the peripheral and central lactate changes, mitochondrial quality control system, mitochondrial function and BDNF expression in mouse hippocampus. In vitro, primary cultured mice hippocampal cells were used to investigate the role and the underlying mechanisms of lactate in promoting mitochondrial function during HIIT. In vivo studies, we firstly reported that HIIT can potentiate mitochondrial function [boost some of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) genes expression and ATP production], stimulate BDNF expression in mouse hippocampus along with regulating the mitochondrial quality control system in terms of promoting mitochondrial fusion and biogenesis, and suppressing mitochondrial fission. In parallel to this, the peripheral and central lactate levels elevated immediately after the training. In vitro study, our results revealed that lactate was in charge of regulating mitochondrial quality control system for mitochondrial function and thus may contribute to BDNF expression. In conclusion, our study provided the mitochondrial mechanisms of HIIT enhancing brain function, and that lactate itself can mediate the HIIT effect on mitochondrial quality control system in the hippocampus.

A polysaccharide extracted from alfalfa activates splenic B cells by TLR4 and acts primarily via the MAPK/p38 pathway.

Alfalfa polysaccharide (APS) has been proposed to exhibit growth-promoting and immune-enhancing bodily functions in vivo. However, little is known about its downstream immunomodulatory and intrinsic molecular mechanisms. Herein, mouse splenic lymphocytes were isolated to characterize the immunomodulatory effects and molecular mechanisms of APS in vitro. The results demonstrated that APS selectively improved the cell viability and IgM production of B cells, but no effects on T cell viability or secretion of IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ were observed in vitro. The receptor blocking assay showed that TLR4 was the primary receptor involved in APS-mediated B cell activation, which was confirmed by the results obtained using C57BL/10ScNJ (TLR4 gene-deficient) mice. Moreover, APS activated the TLR4-MyD88 signaling pathway at the translational level by significantly increasing the protein expression of TLR4 and MyD88. Downstream pathway blocking assay demonstrated that both the MAPK and NF-κB pathways were involved in APS-induced B cell activation. Additionally, APS significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of p38, ERK, and JNK and activated the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit. Therefore, we concluded that APS specifically activates the immune functions of splenic B cells by TLR4, acting through the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, and potently activates the p38 pathway.

The Impact of Wheat Bran on the Morphology and Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Broiler Chickens.

There is increasing evidence showing that moderate amounts of insoluble dietary fiber can improve nutrient utilization by positively influencing the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of wheat bran as a source of insoluble fiber on nutrient digestibility, serum antioxidant status, gastrointestinal development, digestive enzyme activities and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens. A total of 96 one-day-old male Arbor Acre broiler chickens were assigned to two treatments with six replicate cages per treatment and eight birds per replicate for 42 d. Dietary treatments consisted of the control group (CON, control diet) and wheat bran group (WB, 30 g/kg wheat bran). Inclusion of WB increased (p < 0.05) the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, gross energy and crude protein on Day 42. Birds fed WB had lower (p < 0.05) serum total cholesterol concentration on Day 21, and lower (p < 0.05) serum concentrations of low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and total triglyceride on Day 42. Inclusion of WB increased (p < 0.05) serum glutathione peroxidase activity on Day 21 and superoxide dismutase activity on Day 42, but tended (p = 0.07) to decrease serum malondialdehyde concentration on Day 21, and significantly decreased (p < 0.05) serum malondialdehyde concentration on Day 42. Birds fed WB had a greater (p < 0.05) relative weight of gizzard on both Day 21 and 42. Inclusion of WB increased (p < 0.05) activities of amylase and trypsin in pancreas and jejunal mucosa on Day 21, and increased (p < 0.05) amylase activity in pancreas and jejunal mucosa. Birds fed WB had greater (p < 0.05) villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in jejunum and ileum on Day 42. In conclusion, supplementation of 30 g/kg WB enhanced nutrient digestibility by improving antioxidant status, gizzard development, intestinal digestive enzyme activities and morphology of broilers.

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 < 0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter, organic matter (OM), gross energy and neutral detergent fibre on d 14 and 28, while WB decreased (p < 0.05) the ATTD of OM on d 28. Pigs in group SBP had higher (p < 0.05) glucagon-like peptide 1 concentration than the other groups on d 14 and 28. The villus height to crypt depth (V:C) ratio of duodenum and jejunum in pigs fed diet WB were greater (p < 0.05) than in group SBP. The WB increased (p < 0.05) the V:C ratio of ileum compared with CON or SBP. Compared with SBP, WB increased (p < 0.05) the sucrase activity in the duodenum. Moreover, pigs in WB had higher (p < 0.05) activities of maltase and sucrase in the jejunum compared with CON or SBP. The abundances of Ruminococcaceae and Prevotellaceae were increased (p < 0.05) in WB, while the Lachnospiraceae abundance was increased (p < 0.05) in SBP. WB increased (p < 0.05) concentrations of acetate, butyrate and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), while SBP increased (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.

Effects of dietary fiber sources during late gestation and lactation on sow performance, milk quality, and intestinal health in piglets1.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with 2 sources of fiber, sugar beet pulp (SBP), and wheat bran (WB), on sow performance, milk quality, and intestinal health in piglets. Forty-five multiparous sows at day 85 of gestation were allocated to the following 3 treatments: 1) a corn-soybean meal basal diet (CON); 2) the CON diet supplemented with 20% SBP in gestation and 10% SBP in lactation (SBP); and 3) the CON diet supplemented with 30% WB in gestation and 15% WB in lactation (WB). The SBP diets increased (P < 0.05) sow ADFI during lactation, litter and piglet weaning weight, piglet ADG, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in the colostrum and IgA levels in the milk, while the WB diets only increased (P < 0.05) IL-10 levels in the milk when compared with the CON diets. Piglets from SBP-fed sows had greater (P < 0.05) serum growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels than those from WB-fed or CON-fed sows, whereas piglets from WB-fed sows had greater (P < 0.05) serum GH levels than those from CON-fed sows. Serum diamine oxidase activity, endotoxin, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were reduced (P < 0.05) in piglets from SBP-fed or WB-fed sows. Piglets from SBP-fed sows also had greater (P < 0.05) serum IL-10 levels than those from CON-fed sows. The ileal mRNA expression of TNF-α was reduced (P < 0.05) in piglets from SBP-fed or WB-fed sows. Piglets from SBP-fed sows had lower (P < 0.05) IL-6 expression, and greater (P < 0.05) IL-10 expression and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) levels in the ileum than those from WB- or CON-fed sows. Piglets from WB-fed sows had greater (P < 0.05) IL-10 expression and SIgA levels compared with those from CON-fed sows. The ileal mRNA expression of occludin in the ileum was greater (P < 0.05) in piglets from SBP-fed sows than those from CON-fed sows. The ileal mRNA expression of ZO-1 was greater (P < 0.05) in piglets from WB-fed sows than those from CON-fed sows, but lower (P < 0.05) than those from SBP-fed sows. Piglets from SBP-fed sows had greater (P < 0.05) abundance of Christensenellaceae and butyrate levels in the colon, while piglets from WB-fed sows had greater (P < 0.05) abundance of Lactobacillaceae. Collectively, maternal SBP supplementation was more effective than WB in improving milk quality, enhancing growth performance and intestinal barrier function, and ameliorating intestinal inflammation in piglets.

Maternal 25-hydroxycholecalciferol during lactation improves intestinal calcium absorption and bone properties in sow-suckling piglet pairs.

Lower maternal vitamin D status during lactation is a common health problem. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of maternal 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) supplementation during lactation on maternal and neonatal bone health in a sow model. 32 Large White × Landrace sows were assigned randomly to one of two diets supplemented with 2000 IU/kg vitamin D3 (ND) or 50 µg/kg 25-OH-D3 (25-D). The experiment began on day 107 of gestation and continued until weaning on day 21 of lactation. Maternal 25-OH-D3 supplementation significantly decreased milk n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio, which supported bone formation of piglets. Supplementation with 25-OH-D3 altered bone turnover rate of sows and piglets, as evidenced by higher bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) concentration in serum. 25-D sows had significantly higher bone density and mechanical properties of tibias and femurs than ND sows. Calcium (Ca) absorption rate was higher in 25-D sows than ND sows, which was caused partially by the increased mRNA expressions of renal 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) and duodenal vitamin D receptor (VDR), transient receptor potential vanilloid 6 (TRPV6), and calcium-binding protein D9k (CaBP-D9k). Maternal 25-OH-D3 supplementation increased tibial and femoral Ca content by up-regulating Ca-related gene expression in kidney (CYP27B1), ileum (VDR and claudin-2), and colon (VDR and CaBP-D9k), thus, activating 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2-D3]-dependent Ca transport in piglets. In conclusion, improved milk fatty acids and higher mRNA expressions of calcitropic genes triggered by maternal 25-OH-D3 supplementation would be the potential mechanism underlying the positive effects of 25-OH-D3 on maternal and neonatal bone health.

Effects of maternal 25-hydroxycholecalciferol on nutrient digestibility, milk composition and fatty-acid profile of lactating sows and gut bacterial metabolites in the hindgut of suckling piglets.

To investigate the effects of maternal 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD3) supplementation during lactation on nutrient digestibility and milk composition of sows and gut bacterial metabolites and their metabolites in the hindgut of suckling piglets, 24 Large White × Landrace sows were assigned randomly to one of two dietary treatments (Diet ND: 2000 IU vitamin D3/kg feed; Diet 25-D: 50 µg 25OHD3/kg feed). The experiment began on d 107 of gestation and continued until weaning on d 21 of lactation. Maternal 25OHD3 supplementation increased (p < 0.05) total litter weight gain during lactation. Milk fat content, immunoglobulin G level on d 21 of lactation and 25OHD3 concentration on d 7, 14, and 21 of lactation were higher (p < 0.05) in sows fed with 25OHD3. Apparent total tract digestibility of dietary calcium was higher (p < 0.05) in 25-D sows than ND sows. With respect to fatty-acid profile, C16:0 and saturated fatty acids in milk were higher (p < 0.05), but C20:4n-6, the ratios of monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids were lower (p < 0.05) in 25-D sows than ND sows. 25OHD3 supplementation increased the mRNA expressions of acetyl-CoA carboxylase α and fatty-acid synthase in the mammary gland of lactating sows. For gut bacterial metabolites, concentration of butyrate in the caecal digesta was higher (p < 0.05) in piglets suckling 25-D sows than piglets suckling ND sows. In conclusion, 25OHD3 supplementation in maternal diets changed dietary calcium digestibility, milk composition and milk fatty-acid profile of lactating sows and altered gut bacterial metabolites in the hindgut of suckling piglets.

Determination and prediction of the apparent and standardized ileal amino acid digestibility in cottonseed meals fed to growing pigs.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in cottonseed meals (CSM) and to develop prediction equations for estimating AA digestibility for growing pigs based on the chemical composition and AA content of CSM. 10 CSM were collected from 10 provinces in China. 11 barrows (initial body weight: 34.4 ± 1.9 kg), fitted with an ileal T-cannula, were allotted to 6 × 11 Youden square with 6 periods and 11 diets. The diets included one N-free diet and 10 CSM test diets containing 40% CSM as the sole source of AA. The nitrogen-free diet was used to measure the basal endogenous losses of CP and AA. The AID and SID for crude protein (CP), Lys, Met, Trp, and Thr among the 10 CSM differed (p < 0.05). With R2 values exceeding 0.30, significant linear regression equations for CP, Lys, and Thr were obtained. The best fit equations for predicting the AID and SID of Lys were: AID of Lys = 82.94-0.65 neutral detergent fiber, with R2  = 0.44, residual standard deviation (RSD) = 4.03 and p = 0.04; and SID of Lys = 135.34-1.01 neutral detergent fiber + 34.27 Thr - 58.06 Trp - 84.93 Met, with R2  = 0.90, RSD = 1.42 and p = 0.01. In conclusion, the results of AID, SID and prediction equations could be used to evaluate the digestibility of CSM in growing pigs.

[Relationship between the level of MCP-1 expression in sera of RA patients and ILD].

AIM: To investigate the function and clinical significance of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 MCP-1 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and the relation ship between the expression of MCP-1 in serum and interstitial lung disease (ILD) secondary from RA. METHODS: 60 patients with RA were divided into two groups: 30 cases with simple RA group and 30 cases with ILD secondary from RA (RA+ILD group). The control group incuided 20 healthy cases. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA ) was used to determine the serum expression of MCP-1 in patients healthy controls. The differences of MCP-1 level and other laboratory indexes (IgG, IgA, IgM, alpha2-G, gamma-G, RF, ESR, CRP, and the number of arthrocele) in different groups were compared with software spss13.0. RESULTS: The expression of MCP-1 in simple RA patients was significantly higher than that in the control group (P>0.05) and significantly lower than that in the RA+ILD group (P>0.01). The level of MCP-1 in serum of RA patieuts was positively correlated with IgG, IgM, and gamma-G. CONCLUSION: MCP-1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of RA and may contribute to the promotion of lung fibrosis in ILD secondary from RA.