Pyrroloquinoline quinone supplementation attenuates inflammatory liver injury by STAT3/TGF-ß1 pathway in weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide.

This study is aimed to evaluate the effect and underling mechanism of dietary supplementation with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) disodium on improving inflammatory liver injury in piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of seventy-two crossbred barrows were allotted into four groups as follows: the CTRL group (basal diet + saline injection); the PQQ group (3 mg/kg PQQ diet + saline injection); the CTRL + LPS group (basal diet + LPS injection) and the PQQ + LPS group (3 mg/kg PQQ diet + LPS injection). On days 7, 11 and 14, piglets were challenged with LPS or saline. Blood was sampled at 4 h after the last LPS injection (day 14), and then the piglets were slaughtered and liver tissue was harvested. The results showed that the hepatic morphology was improved in the PQQ + LPS group compared with the CTRL + LPS group. PQQ supplementation decreased the level of serum inflammatory factors, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase, and increased the HDL-cholesterol concentration in piglets challenged with LPS; piglets in the PQQ + LPS group had lower liver mRNA level of inflammatory factors and protein level of α-smooth muscle actin than in the CTRL + LPS group. Besides, mRNA expression of STAT3/TGF-ß1 pathway and protein level of p-STAT3(Tyr 705) were decreased, and mRNA level of PPARα and protein expression of p-AMPK in liver were increased in the PQQ + LPS group compared with the CTRL + LPS group (P < 0·05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with PQQ alleviated inflammatory liver injury might partly via inhibition of the STAT3/TGF-ß1 pathway in piglets challenged with LPS.

UPLC-MS-based plasma metabolomics for identifying energy metabolism biomarkers of maintenance in growing pigs.

The purpose of this study is to explore the potential plasma metabolism biomarkers reflecting the maintenance status of growing pigs. The repeated measurement design was used in this experiment, and six barrows (28.6 ± 0.5 kg BW) were selected and kept in metabolism crates. The feeding level in growing pigs close to ad libitum was 2400 kJ ME/kg BW0.6 ·day-1 during Day 1 to Day 7, while a feeding level of 782 kJ ME/kg BW0.6 ·day-1 was provided as energy requirement for maintenance during Day 8 to Day 14. Plasma samples of each pig were collected from the anterior vena cava on the morning of Day 8 and Day 15. The metabolites of plasma were determined by high-resolution mass spectrometry using a metabolomics approach. Results showed that metabolomics analysis between ad libitum-fed state and maintained status revealed differences in 16 compounds. Identified compounds were enriched in metabolic pathways related to linoleic acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism. In conclusion, linoleic acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamic acid metabolism pathways played a major regulatory role in the maintenance status of growing pigs. The potential metabolism biomarkers of maintenance in growing pigs were linoleic acid, glutamine and tyrosine.

Triggers for the Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway and Its Nutritional Regulation: Potential Therapeutic Applications of Ulcerative Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC), which affects millions of people worldwide, is characterized by extensive colonic injury involving mucosal and submucosal layers of the colon. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a critical role in cellular protection against oxidant-induced stress. Antioxidant response element (ARE) is the binding site recognized by Nrf2 and leads to the expression of phase II detoxifying enzymes and antioxidant proteins. The Nrf2/ARE system is a key factor for preventing and resolving tissue injury and inflammation in disease conditions such as UC. Researchers have proposed that both Keap1-dependent and Keap1-independent cascades contribute positive effects on activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge on mechanisms controlling the activation process. We will further review nutritional compounds that can modulate activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway and may be used as potential therapeutic application of UC. These comprehensive data will help us to better understand the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and promote its effective application in response to common diseases induced by oxidative stress and inflammation.

Metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance estimated by regression analysis of body weight gain or metabolizable energy intake in growing pigs

Objective: Feed energy required for pigs is first prioritized to meet maintenance costs. Additional energy intake in excess of the energy requirement for maintenance is retained as protein and fat in the body, leading to weight gain. The objective of this study was to estimate the ME requirements for maintenance (MEm) by regressing body weight gain against ME intake (MEI) in growing pigs. Methods: Thirty-six growing pigs (26.3 ± 1.7 kg) were allotted to 1 of 6 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were 6 feeding levels which were calculated as 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100% of the estimated ad libitum MEI (2,400 kJ/kg BW0.60·d). All pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 30 d and weighed every 5 d. Moreover, each pig from each treatment was placed in the open-circuit respiration chambers to measure heat production (HP) and energy retained as protein (REp) and fat (REf) every 5 d. Serum biochemical parameters of pigs were analyzed at the end of the experiment. Results: The ADG and HP as well as the REp and REf linearly increased with increasing feed intake (p < 0.010). ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentration of serum tended to increase with increasing feed intake (p = 0.080). The regression equations of MEI on ADG were MEI, kJ/kg BW0.60·d = 1.88 × ADG, g/d + 782 (R2=0.86) and MEm was estimated at 782 kJ/kg BW0.60·d. Protein retention of growing pigs would be positive while REf would be negative at this feeding level via regression equations of REp and REf on MEI. Conclusion: The MEm was estimated at 782 kJ/kg BW0.60·d in current experiment. Furthermore, growing pigs will deposit protein and oxidize fat if provided feed at the estimated maintenance level.

Net energy content of rice bran, corn germ meal, corn gluten feed, peanut meal, and sunflower meal in growing pigs.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this experiment was to determine the net energy (NE) content of full-fat rice bran (FFRB), corn germ meal (CGM), corn gluten feed (CGF), solvent-extracted peanut meal (PNM), and dehulled sunflower meal (SFM) fed to growing pigs using indirect calorimetry or published prediction equations. METHODS: Twelve growing barrows with an average initial body weight (BW) of 32.4±3.3 kg were allotted to a replicated 3×6 Youden square design with 3 successive periods and 6 diets. During each period, pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 16 d, which included 7 days for adaptation. On d 8, the pigs were transferred to the respiration chambers and fed one of the 6 diets at 2.0 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/kg BW0.6/d. Total feces and urine were collected and daily heat production was measured from d 9 to d 13. On d 14 and d15, pigs were fed at their maintenance energy requirement level. On the last day pigs were fasted and fasting heat production was measured. RESULTS: The NE of FFRB, CGM, CGF, PNM, and SFM measured by indirect calorimetry method was 12.33, 8.75, 7.51, 10.79, and 6.49 MJ/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. The NE/ME ratios ranged from 67.2% (SFM) to 78.5% (CGF). The NE values for the 5 ingredients calculated according to the prediction equations were 12.22, 8.55, 6.79, 10.51, and 6.17 MJ/kg DM, respectively. CONCLUSION: The NE values were the highest for FFRB and PNM and the lowest in the corn co-products and SFM. The average NE of the 5 ingredients measured by indirect calorimetry method in the current study was greater than values predicted from NE prediction equations (0.32 MJ/kg DM).

Whole-body synthesis of L-homoarginine in pigs and rats supplemented with L-arginine.

Recent studies suggest an important role for L-homoarginine in cardiovascular, hepatic and neurological functions, as well as the regulation of glucose metabolism. However, little is known about whole-body L-homoarginine synthesis or its response to dietary L-arginine intake in animals. Four series of experiments were conducted to determine L-homoarginine synthesis and catabolism in pigs and rats. In Experiment 1, male and female pigs were fed a corn- and soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 0.0-2.42 % L-arginine-HCl. In Experiment 2, male and female rats were fed a casein-based diet, while receiving drinking water containing supplemental L-arginine-HCl to provide 0.0-3.6 g L-arginine/kg body-weight/day. In both experiments, urine collected from the animals for 24 h was analyzed for L-homoarginine and related metabolites. In Experiment 3, pigs and rats received a single oral dose of 1 or 10 mg L-homoarginine/kg body-weight, respectively, and their urine was collected for 24 h for analyses of L-homoarginine and related substances. In Experiment 4, slices of pig and rat tissues (including liver, brain, kidney, heart, and skeletal-muscle) were incubated for 1 h in Krebs-bicarbonate buffer containing 5 or 50 µM L-homoarginine. Our results indicated that: (a) animal tissues did not degrade L-homoarginine in the presence of physiological concentrations of other amino-acids; (b) 95-96 % of orally administered L-homoarginine was recovered in urine; (c) L-homoarginine was quantitatively a minor product of L-arginineg catabolism in the body; and (d) dietary L-arginine supplementation dose-dependently increased whole-body L-homoarginine synthesis. These novel findings provide a new framework for future studies of L-homoarginine metabolism and physiology in animals and humans.

Effect of experimental methodology on fasting heat production and the net energy content of corn and soybean meal fed to growing pigs.

The aim of the three experiments was to evaluated methods to predict fasting heat production (FHP) and to compare methods to determine the net energy (NE) of corn and soybean meal (SBM) fed to growing pigs. To estimate heat production (HP), pigs were housed in respiratory chambers for all experiments. In Experiment 1, six barrows (43.0 ± 1.4 kg body weight [BW]) were fed a Corn-SBM diet for 20 d. The experimental design consisted of following periods: 7 d adaptation, 5 d ad libitum feeding, 3 d feeding at 2 × metabolisable energy (ME) for maintenance (MEm), 3 d feeding at 1 × MEm and 2 d fasting. The FHP was calculated by extrapolating HP measured at the different feeding levels to zero ME intake. The daily FHP [per kg BW(0)(.6)] determined directly after fasting for 24 h and using the regression method was 774 kJ and 694 kJ, respectively. In Experiment 2, 18 barrows (34.3 ± 1.1 kg BW) were randomly allotted to three diets: Diet 1 contained 97.5% corn (direct NE determination of corn); diets 2 and 3 contained 25 % and 15% SBM at the expense of corn, respectively, and were used to calculate the NE of corn by difference. The NE of corn determined directly (13.21 MJ/kg DM) and by difference (13.69 MJ/kg DM) was not different. In Experiment 3, 24 barrows (36.2 ± 1.4 kg BW) were randomly allotted to four diets to determine the effects of different basal diets on the NE content of SBM. The diets were: Basal diet 1 (97.5% corn), Test diet 1 (15% SBM at the expense of corn), Basal diet 2 (contained 72.5% corn and 25% SBM) and Test diet 2 (58% corn and 39.5% SBM). These diets were used to determine the NE of SBM using the Corn-basal diet or the Corn-SBM-basal diet, respectively. It was shown that the estimated NE of SBM did not depend on the used diet (10.04 MJ/kg and 10.62 MJ/kg DM for Basal diet 1 and 2, respectively). In summary, using the regression method to determine FHP results in lower FHP than the fasting method. There was no difference observed in the NE of corn determined directly or by difference, and different basal diets did not affect the NE of SBM.

Dietary methionine supplementation during the estrous cycle improves follicular development and estrogen synthesis in rats.

The follicle is an important unit for the synthesis of steroid hormones and the oocyte development and maturation in mammals. However, the effect of methionine supply on follicle development and its regulatory mechanism are still unclear. In the present study, we found that dietary methionine supplementation during the estrous cycle significantly increased the number of embryo implantation sites, as well as serum contents of a variety of amino acids and methionine metabolic enzymes in rats. Additionally, methionine supplementation markedly enhanced the expression of rat ovarian neutral amino acid transporters, DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE); meanwhile, it significantly increased the ovarian concentrations of the metabolite S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and glutathione (GSH). In vitro data showed that methionine supply promotes rat follicle development through enhancing the expression of critical gene growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15. Furthermore, methionine enhanced the relative protein and mRNA expression of critical genes related to estrogen synthesis, ultimately increasing estrogen synthesis in primary ovarian granulosa cells. Taken together, our results suggested that methionine promoted follicular growth and estrogen synthesis in rats during the estrus cycle, which improved embryo implantation during early pregnancy. These findings provided a potential nutritional strategy to improve the reproductive performance of animals.

Arginine enhances embryo implantation in rats through PI3K/PKB/mTOR/NO signaling pathway during early pregnancy.

Our previous study has demonstrated that dietary arginine supplementation during early pregnancy enhanced embryo implantation in rats. However, the mechanism was not clear. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism that arginine enhanced embryo implantation during early pregnancy. Rats were fed the basal diets supplemented with 1.3% (wt:wt) L-arginine-HCl or 2.2% (wt:wt) L-alanine (isonitrogenous control) once pregnancy. On d4 of pregnancy, rats were given intrauterine injection of L-NG-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO, polyamine synthesis inhibitor), wortmannin (PI3K inhibitor), or rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor). On d7 of pregnancy, rats were killed. Intrauterine injection of L-NAME decreased the implantation sites, while dietary arginine supplementation increased the implantation sites. Intrauterine injection of DFMO decreased the pregnancy rate, which was reversed by dietary arginine supplementation. Intrauterine injection of rapamycin or wortmannin inhibited embryo implantation. However, dietary arginine supplementation did not reverse this inhibition. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of uterine p-PKB and p-S6K1 was greater in rats fed the arginine-supplemented diet in the presence of L-NAME treatment compared with rats fed the control diet. In the presence of DFMO treatment, the expression of uterine iNOS and eNOS was significantly enhanced in the arginine group compared with the control group. Similarly, intrauterine injection of wortmannin or rapamycin decreased the expression of uterine iNOS and eNOS, which was enhanced by dietary arginine supplementation. These data indicated that dietary arginine supplementation during early pregnancy could enhance embryo implantation through stimulation of PI3K/PKB/mTOR/NO signaling pathway.

Net energy and its establishment of prediction equations for wheat bran in growing pigs.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this experiment was to determine the net energy (NE) value of 6 wheat bran and 1 wheat shorts by indirect calorimetry and establish the NE prediction equations of wheat bran fed to growing barrows. METHODS: Forty-eight growing barrows (28.5±2.4 kg body weight) were allotted in a completely randomized design to 8 dietary treatments that included a corn-soybean meal basal diet, 6 wheat bran diets and 1 wheat shorts diet. The inclusion level of wheat bran or wheat shorts in diets is 30%. RESULTS: The addition of wheat bran reduced the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients (p<0.05). The ATTD of gross energy, crude protein (CP) and dry matter (DM) in the wheat shorts were greater than that in the wheat bran. Addition of wheat bran or wheat shorts had no effect on total heat production and fasting heat production. The NE of wheat bran was negatively correlated with neutral detergent fiber (r = -0.84; p<0.05) and acid detergent fiber (r = -0.83; p<0.05), while it was positively correlated with CP (r = 0.92; p<0.01). The NE values of wheat bran ranged from 6.79 to 8.15 MJ/kg DM, and the NE value of wheat shorts was 12.47 MJ/kg DM. The ratio of NE to metabolizable energy for wheat bran fed to growing pigs was from 66.0% to 71.7%, whereas the value for wheat shorts was 83.7%. CONCLUSION: The NE values of wheat bran ranged from 6.79 to 8.15 MJ/kg DM, and the NE value of wheat shorts was 12.47 MJ/kg DM. The NE value of wheat bran can be well predicted based on energy content and proximate analysis.

Diets enriched with finely ground wheat bran alter digesta passage rate and composition of the gut microbiome in sows.

We investigated the effects of finely ground wheat bran on the nutrient digestibility, digesta passage rate, and gut microbiota structure in sows. A 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 test periods and 3 experimental diets was used. Six non-pregnant sows (parity: 5 to 7) were randomly assigned to 3 experimental diets with 2 replicates per treatment in each period. Each period lasted 19 d (12 d for adaptation and 7 d for experiment). The experimental diets included (a) a basal corn and soybean meal diet (CON), (b) a basal diet with 20% coarse wheat bran (CWB; particle size: 605 µm), and (c) a basal diet with 20% fine wheat bran (FWB; particle size: 438 µm). The results demonstrated that the apparent total tract digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and energy were reduced (P < 0.05) in the FWB and CWB groups compared with those in the CON group. Viscosity of digesta increased (P < 0.001) in FWB-fed sows. The passage rate of digesta from the mouth to the ileum decreased (P < 0.001) in FWB-fed sows. Peptide YY (PYY) concentration increased (P = 0.01) in FWB-fed sows after 30 min of feeding. In the FWB group, the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae at the family level increased (P < 0.05) in the ileal digesta. At the class level, the relative abundance of Clostridia in feces decreased (P < 0.05) in FWB-fed sows. FWB enhanced the concentration of butyrate in feces compared with CON and CWB (P = 0.04). These results suggest that dietary supplementation with finely ground wheat bran reduces the passage rate of digesta, increases the abundance of beneficial microorganisms, and elevates the concentration of short-chain fatty acids and PYY in sows. These findings indicate that the addition of finely-ground wheat bran to the diets of sows is more effective than using coarse wheat bran for improving their satiety and intestinal microbial composition.

Dietary supplementation with pyrroloquinoline quinone promotes growth, relieves weaning stress, and regulates metabolism of piglets compared with adding zinc oxide.

Hindered growth often occurs because of psychological and environmental stress during the weaning period of piglets. This study aimed to compare the effects of growth performance, diarrhea indices, digestibility of nutrients, antioxidant capacity, neurotransmitters levels and metabolism of weaned pigs fed diets supplemented with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and zinc oxide (ZnO). Pigs weaned at d 28 (n = 108) were fed with three different diets including: the basal diet (CTRL group), the basal diet supplemented with 3.0 mg/kg PQQ (PQQ group) and the basal diet containing 1,600 mg/kg ZnO (ZNO group). During the first 14 d, weaned pigs fed the diet supplemented with PQQ and ZnO decreased feed to gain ratio and diarrhea rate (P < 0.01). Compared with the CTRL group, average daily gain was increased in weaned pigs in the PQQ group from d 15 to 28 (P = 0.03). Compared with the CTRL group, pigs fed PQQ and ZnO supplemented diets showed improved apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients (P ≤ 0.05). During the overall experimental period, the concentration of malondialdehyde was decreased in plasma of pigs in the PQQ and ZNO groups compared with the CTRL group (P < 0.05). At d 28, the concentration of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was lower in plasma of weaned pigs in the PQQ and ZNO groups compared with the CTRL group (P < 0.05). There was no difference between the PQQ and ZNO group in growth performance, ATTD of nutrition, antioxidant capacity and neurotransmitters levels. PQQ increased 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelate (P < 0.05) compared with the CTRL group. According to metabolomic analysis, erucamide, formononetin and 3-methyl-L-histidine were up-regulated in the PQQ group (P < 0.05). Compared with the CTRL group, aloesin and dibutyl adipate were down-regulated in the PQQ group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, similar to ZnO, PQQ improves growth performance, digestibility of nutrients, antioxidant capacity, neuromodulation and metabolism of weaned pigs. Thus, like ZnO, PQQ can be effectively applied in weaned pigs.

Wheat bran inclusion level impacts its net energy by shaping gut microbiota and regulating heat production in gestating sows.

An accurate estimation of net energy (NE) of wheat bran is essential for precision feeding of sows. However, the effects of inclusion level on NE of wheat bran have not been reported. Inclusion level was hypothesized to impact NE of wheat bran by regulating gut microbiota and partitioning of heat production. Therefore, twelve multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace; 2 to 4 parity) were assigned to a replicated 3 × 6 Youden square with 3 successive periods and 6 diets in each square. The experiment included a corn-soybean meal diet (WB0) and five diets including 9.8% (WB10), 19.5% (WB20), 29.2% (WB30), 39.0% (WB40) and 48.7% wheat bran (WB50), respectively. Each period included 6 d of adaptation to diets followed by 6 d for heat production measurement using open-circuit respiration chambers. Compared with other groups, WB30, WB40, and WB50 enriched different fiber-degrading bacteria genera (P < 0.05). Apparent total tract digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber of wheat bran were greater in WB30 and WB40 (P < 0.05). Physical activity (standing and sitting) decreased as inclusion level increased (P = 0.04), which tended to decrease related heat production (P = 0.07). Thermic effect of feeding (TEF) was higher in WB50 than other treatments (P < 0.01). Metabolizable energy of wheat bran was similar among treatment groups (except for WB10). NE of wheat bran conformed to a quadratic regression equation with inclusion level (R2 = 0.99, P < 0.01) and peaked at an inclusion level of 35.3%. In conclusion, increasing inclusion level decreased energy expenditure of sows on physical activity and promoted growth of fiber-degrading bacteria, which improved energy utilization of fiber. Fermentation of wheat bran fiber by Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 and norank_f__Paludibacteraceae might increase TEF. Consequently, sows utilized energy in wheat bran most efficiently at an inclusion level of 35.3%.

Role of functional fatty acids in modulation of reproductive potential in livestock.

Fatty acids are not only widely known as energy sources, but also play important roles in many metabolic pathways. The significance of fatty acids in modulating the reproductive potential of livestock has received greater recognition in recent years. Functional fatty acids and their metabolites improve follicular development, oocyte maturation and embryo development, as well as endometrial receptivity and placental vascular development, through enhancing energy supply and precursors for the synthesis of their productive hormones, such as steroid hormones and prostaglandins. However, many studies are focused on the impacts of individual functional fatty acids in the reproductive cycle, lacking studies involved in deeper mechanisms and optimal fatty acid requirements for specific physiological stages. Therefore, an overall consideration of the combination and synergy of functional fatty acids and the establishment of optimal fatty acid requirement for specific stages is needed to improve reproductive potential in livestock.

Methionine influences the profile of intestinal antibiotic resistome through inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are a new type of environmental pollutant. However, studies have mainly focused on the distribution characteristics of ARGs in the livestock environment, lacking of studies on the composition of ARGs in the intestinal tract of animals and the effect of nutrients on intestinal ARGs and microbial communities. Reducing antimicrobial resistance and maintaining optimal animal health and performance are urgently needed. Methionine is an essential amino acid which plays a critical role in the growth and reproductive performance of animals. In this study, feeding experiment, in vitro fermentation and bacterial culture experiment were performed to explore the influence of methionine on the intestinal resistome of sows. We found that dietary 0.2 % methionine supplementation decreased the total abundance of intestinal ARGs, which was further confirmed by in vitro fecal microbial fermentation of sows. Metagenome binning analysis identified that Escherichia coli was the major ARG host, which carried 60-113 ARGs and 134-286 virulence factors, indicating that Escherichia coli in the pig intestine is not only a core ARG host, but also an important pathogen. In addition, we found that methionine supplementation inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, indicating that dietary methionine may reduce the resistome risk in sow intestine by inhibiting core ARG hosts such as Escherichia coli. These findings reveal that dietary methionine application plays a critical role in intestinal antibiotic resistance, providing a new idea for preventing and controlling environmental pollution by antibiotic-resistant microbes.

Dietary Supplementation With Fine-Grinding Wheat Bran Improves Lipid Metabolism and Inflammatory Response via Modulating the Gut Microbiota Structure in Pregnant Sow.

This study investigated the effects of fine-grinding wheat bran on pregnant sow body condition, lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, and gut microbiota. In this study, wheat bran was crushed into three particle sizes. A total of 60 Landrace × Yorkshire second parity sows were allotted to two groups: CWB (a diet containing coarse wheat bran with particle size of 605 µm) and FWB (a diet containing fine wheat bran with particle size of 438 µm). Fine-grinding wheat bran had higher soluble dietary fiber concentration, swelling capacity, water-holding capacity, and fermentability than coarse wheat bran. Pregnant sows fed FWB throughout pregnancy had lower body weight and fat deposition than sows fed CWB. And the piglet body weight at birth of the FWB group was remarkably increased. Serum concentrations of lipids (triglycerides, total cholesterol, and free fatty acid), interleukin 6, leptin, and resistin were decreased on day 90 of pregnancy by fine wheat bran supplementation. Feeding FWB significantly decreased abundance of Firmicutes and dramatically increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes at phylum level. At genus level, the abundance of Terrisporobacter was decreased in FWB feeding sows, but the abundance of Parabacteroides was increased. Fecal total short-chain fatty acids, propionate, and butyrate contents were markedly increased in the FWB group. The results suggested that the physicochemical properties of finely ground wheat bran had been improved. Dietary supplementation with fine wheat bran changed the gut microbiota structure and enhanced the short-chain fatty acids level, which improved the maternal body condition, metabolic and inflammatory status, and reproductive performance in sows.

Comparison of Global Metabolite for Growing Pigs Fed at Metabolizable Energy Requirement for Maintenance.

Though the energy requirement for maintenance is an important part of net energy system, little is known of the metabolic characteristics of maintenance energy expenditure. This study was investigated the effect of feeding level at metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance (FLM) on plasma metabolites in growing pigs. Ten barrows (22.5 ± 0.5 kg BW) were kept in metabolism crates and catheterized in the precaval vein during adaptation period. Pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal diet at 782 kJ ME/kg BW0.6·d-1 during d 1 to 8 and then were refeeding at 2,400 kJ ME/kg BW0.6·d-1 on d 9. Plasma samples of each pig were collected by catheter on the morning of d 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10, respectively, for metabolomics testing. Results showed that the concentration of plasma urea nitrogen decreased under FLM (p < 0.01) and increased significantly after refeeding (p < 0.01). The concentration of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and albumin in plasma were decreased significantly after refeeding (p < 0.01). Eleven identified compounds were up-regulated and six ones were down-regulated under FLM. In conclusion, the energy metabolism of growing pigs was relatively stable after 4 days of feeding at FLM.

Effects of Dietary Fiber Type on Growth Performance, Serum Parameters and Fecal Microbiota Composition in Weaned and Growing-Finishing Pigs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different SDF to IDF ratios on growth performance, serum indexes and fecal microbial community in pigs. Weaned and growing-finishing pigs were fed a diet containing five different ratios of SDF to IDF from 1:5 to 1:9 and from 1:3 to 1:7, respectively. Results showed a linear tendency that average daily gain (ADG) of weaned pigs decreased but the feed intake to weight gain ratio (F/G) increased as the ratio of SDF to IDF increased from 1:5 to 1:9 (p = 0.06). The ADG of growing-finishing pigs showed quadratic changes (p < 0.05) as ratios of SDF to IDF increased from 1:3 to 1:7. The Shannon index of fecal microbial diversity increased first and then decreased as the SDF to IDF ratio increased from 1:5 to 1:9 (p < 0.05). The Shannon and Chao indexes of fecal microbial diversity in growing-finishing pigs showed significant incremental linearly as the SDF to IDF ratio increased from 1:3 to 1:7 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the recommended inclusion ratios of SDF to IDF in weaned and growing-finishing pigs diets are 1:7 and 1:5.

Dual quantum dot nanobeads-based fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay for simultaneous detection of aflatoxin B1 and zearalenone in feedstuffs.

A novel dual quantum dot nanobeads-based fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay (QBs-FLISA) was successfully developed for simultaneously detecting aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and zearalenone (ZEN) in feedstuffs. Dual CdSe/ZnS quantum dot nanobeads with different diameters that emit red and green fluorescence were conjugated with anti-AFB1 and anti-ZEN monoclonal antibodies to prepare fluorescent probes, which greatly enhance analytical performance. Under the optimal conditions, the limits of detection for AFB1 and ZEN were 9.3 and 102.1 pg mL-1, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 82.50% to 116.21% with relative standard deviation less than 11.3%. Compared with traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, detection sensitivities of AFB1 and ZEN using QBs-FLISA were increased 20 and 5 folds, respectively. In addition, results of feedstuff samples analyzed by QBs-FLISA and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry showed a good agreement (R2 = 0.99).

Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Regulates Enteric Neurochemical Plasticity of Weaned Rats Challenged With Lipopolysaccharide.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is important for the intestinal barrier to defend and regulate inflammation in the intestine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on regulating neuropeptide secretion by ENS neurons of rats challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to create enteritis. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups, namely, basal (CTRL), basal plus LPS challenge (LPS), basal with 2.5 mg/kg b.w./day of PQQ plus challenge with LPS (PQQ 2.5), basal with 5.0 mg/kg b.w./day PQQ plus challenge with LPS (PQQ 5), and basal with 10.0 mg/kg b.w./day PQQ plus challenge with LPS (PQQ 10). After treatment with basal diet or PQQ for 14 days, rats were challenged with LPS except for the CTRL group. Rats were euthanized 6 h after the LPS challenge. Rats showed an increased average daily gain in PQQ treatment groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, PQQ 5 and PQQ 10 rats showed increased villus height and villus height/crypt depth of jejunum (P < 0.05). In PQQ treatment groups, concentrations of IL-1ß and TNF-α in serum and intestine of rats were decreased, and IL-10 concentration was increased in serum compared with the LPS group (P < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the concentration of neuropeptide Y (NPY), nerve growth factor (NGF), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) in serum were decreased in PQQ treatment groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, ileal mRNA levels of BDNF, NPY, and NGF were decreased in PQQ treatment groups (P < 0.05). Jejunal concentrations of SP, CGRP, VIP, BDNF, NPY, and NGF were decreased in PQQ treatment groups compared with the LPS group (P < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, phosphor-protein kinase B (p-Akt)/Akt levels in jejunum and colon were decreased in PQQ treatment groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, daily treatment with PQQ improved daily gain, jejunal morphology, immune responses. PQQ-regulated enteric neurochemical plasticity of ENS via the Akt signaling pathway of weaned rats suffering from enteritis.