Baicalin restore intestinal damage after early-life antibiotic therapy: the role of the MAPK signaling pathway.

Antibiotic related intestinal injury in early life affects subsequent health and susceptibility. Here, we employed weaned piglets as a model to investigate the protective effects of baicalin against early-life antibiotic exposure-induced microbial dysbiosis. Piglets exposed to lincomycin showed a marked reduction in body weight (p < 0.05) and deterioration of jejunum intestinal morphology, alongside an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Dolosicoccus, Escherichia-Shigella, and Raoultella. In contrast, baicalin treatment resulted in body weights, intestinal morphology, and microbial profiles that closely resembled those of the control group (p > 0.05), with a significant increase in norank_f_Muribaculaceae and Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group colonization compared with lincomycin group (p < 0.05). Further analysis through fecal microbial transplantation into mice revealed that lincomycin exposure led to significant alterations in intestinal morphology and microbial composition, notably increasing harmful microbes and decreasing beneficial ones such as norank_Muribaculaceae and Akkermansia (p < 0.05). This shift was associated with an increase in harmful metabolites and disruption of the calcium signaling pathway gene expression. Conversely, baicalin supplementation not only counteracted these effects but also enhanced beneficial metabolites and regulated genes within the MAPK signaling pathway (MAP3K11, MAP4K2, MAPK7, MAPK13) and calcium channel proteins (ORA13, CACNA1S, CACNA1F and CACNG8), suggesting a mechanism through which baicalin mitigates antibiotic-induced intestinal and microbial disturbances. These findings highlight baicalin's potential as a plant extract-based intervention for preventing antibiotic-related intestinal injury and offer new targets for therapeutic strategies.

Adiponectin attenuates H2O2-induced apoptosis in chicken skeletal myoblasts through the lysosomal-mitochondrial axis.

Adiponectin has previously been investigated for exerting its protective effect against myocardial injury through anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative actions. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the nature and mechanism of adiponectin inhibition of H2O2-induced apoptosis in chicken skeletal myoblasts. Skeletal muscle satellite cells were differentiated and assigned into three groups. Group C was on the blank control group, group H was stimulated with the H2O2 (500 µmol/L, 4 h) alone group, group A + H was pre-treated with adiponectin (10 µg/mL, 24 h) and stimulated with the H2O2 (500 µmol/L, 4 h) group. Cytotoxicity inhibited by adiponectin was evaluated by the CCK-8 assay. The degree of apoptosis and oxidative damage was investigated by the TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) staining assays. Oxidative stress was assessed by evaluating lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione. Acridine orange (AO) staining detected lysosomal membrane permeability. The changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were analyzed using 5,5,6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1,3,3-tetraethylimidacarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) dye under a fluorescence microscope. The lysosomal function, mitochondrial function, and apoptosis-related mRNA and protein expression levels were quantified by real-time quantitative PCR and western blot, respectively. The results suggested that adiponectin treatment attenuated H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in skeletal myoblasts. Compared with H2O2 treatment, TUNEL and ROS staining demonstrated lower apoptosis upon adiponectin treatment. AO staining confirmed the amelioration of lysosomal membrane damage, and JC-1 staining revealed an increase in mitochondrial membrane potential after adiponectin treatment. At the molecular level, adiponectin treatment inhibited the expression of the lysosomal apoptotic factors cathepsin B, chymotrypsin B, and the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway cytochrome-c (cyt-c) and caspase-8; decreased the apoptotic marker gene Bax; and increased the expression of the anti-apoptotic marker gene Bcl-2. Adiponectin treatment attenuated H2O2-induced apoptosis in skeletal myoblasts, possibly by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis through the lysosomal-mitochondrial axis.

Prediction equations of the metabolizable energy in corn developed by chemical composition and enzymatic hydrolysate gross energy for roosters.

Two experiments were conducted to establish the prediction equations for AME and TME of corn based on chemical composition and enzymatic hydrolysate gross energy (EHGE) in roosters. In experiment 1, eighty 32-wk-old Hy-line Brown roosters with an average body weight of 2.55 ± 0.21 kg were randomly assigned to 10 diet treatments in a completely randomized design to determine AME and TME by the force-feeding method. Each treatment had 8 replicates with 1 bird per replicate. The 10 test diets used in the experiment were formulated with corn (including 96.10%) as the sole source of energy. In experiment 2, the EHGE of 14 corn samples was measured by the computer-controlled simulated digestion system (CCSDS) with 5 replicates of each sample. The average AME and TME values of corn were 14.58 and 16.46 MJ/kg DM, respectively. The EHGE of 14 corn samples ranged from 14.66 to 15.89 (the mean was 15.24) MJ/kg DM. The best-fit equations for corn based on chemical composition were AME (MJ/kg DM) = 14.5504 + 0.1166 × ether extract (EE) + 0.5058 × Ash - 0.0957 × neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (R2 = 0.8194, residual standard deviation (RSD) = 0.0860, P < 0.01) and TME (MJ/kg DM) = 16.0625 + 0.1314 × EE + 0.4725 × Ash - 0.0872 × NDF (R2 = 0.7867, RSD = 0.0860, P < 0.01). The best-fit equations for corn based on EHGE were AME (MJ/kg DM) = 7.8883 + 0.4568 × EHGE (R2 = 0.8587, RSD = 0.0693, P < 0.01) and TME (MJ/kg DM) = 10.0099 + 0.4228 × EHGE (R2 = 0.8720, RSD = 0.0608, P < 0.01). The differences between determined and predicted values from equations established based on EHGE were lower than those observed from chemical composition equations. These results indicated that EHGE measured with CCSDS could predict the AME and TME of corn for roosters with high accuracy.

Effects of myonectin on porcine intramuscular adipocyte differentiation and exogenous free fatty acid utilization.

As an important factor secreted by skeletal muscle, myonectin can regulate lipid metabolism and energy metabolism, but its role in the utilization of peripheral free fatty acids (FFAs) by porcine intramuscular fat cells remains to be further investigated. In this study, porcine intramuscular adipocytes were treated with recombinant myonectin and palmitic acid (PA), either alone or in combination, and then were examined for their uptake of exogenous FFAs, intracellular lipid synthesis and catabolism, and mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acids. The results showed that myonectin decreased the area of lipid droplets in intramuscular adipocytes (p < 0.05) and significantly increased (p < 0.05) the expression levels of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Moreover, myonectin can up-regulate the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK). Myonectin significantly promoted the uptake of peripheral FFAs (p < 0.01), improved (p < 0.05) the expression of fatty transport protein 1 (FATP1) and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) in intramuscular adipocytes. Myonectin also significantly increased (p < 0.05) the expression levels of fatty acid oxidation markers: transcription factor (TFAM), uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) and oxidative respiratory chain marker protein complex I (NADH-CoQ) in mitochondria of intramuscular adipocytes. In summary, myonectin promoted the absorption, transport, and oxidative metabolism of exogenous FFAs in mitochondria, thereby inhibiting lipid deposition in porcine intramuscular adipocytes.

Time-course effects of different fiber-rich ingredients on energy values, microbiota composition and SCFA profile in growing pigs.

This study was to investigate time-course effects of different types of dietary fiber on the energy values, fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration in growing pigs. A total of 24 barrows (initial body weight, 19.8 ± 0.5 kg) were assigned to 4 dietary treatments based on body weight (BW) in a completely randomized design, including a basal diet (CON) and 3 fiber-rich diets replacing corn, soybean meal and soybean oil in the CON diet with 20% sugar beet pulp (SBP), defatted rice bran (DFRB) or soybean hull (SBH), respectively. Fresh feces were sampled on d 7, 14 and 21, followed by 5 d total feces and urine collections. The results showed that there were no differences in DE and ME between any of the fiber ingredients on d 7, 14 or 21. However, fiber inclusion decreased the DE and ME of the diet (P < 0.05) regardless of the time effect. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed distinctly different microbial communities on the DFRB diet and SBH diet across different times (P < 0.05) and the fecal microbiota of the 4 diet groups demonstrated notably distinct clusters at each time point (P < 0.05). With adaptation time increased from 7 to 21 d, cellulose-degrading bacteria and SCFA-producing bacteria (e.g., Ruminococcaceae _UCG-014, Rikenellaceae _RC9_gut_group and Bifidobacterium) increased in the fiber inclusion diets, and pathogenic genera (e.g., Streptococcus and Selenomonas) were increased in the basal diet (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the gut microbiota of growing pigs adapted more easily and quickly to the SBP diet compared to the DFRB diet, as reflected by the concentration of propionate, butyrate, isovalerate and total SCFA which increased with time for growing pigs fed the DFRB diet (P < 0.05). Collectively, our results indicated at least 7 d adaptation was required to evaluate the energy values of fiber-rich ingredients, as the hindgut microbiota of growing pigs may need more time to adapt to a high fiber diet, especially for insoluble dietary fiber.

Effects of L-theanine on intestinal morphology, barrier function, and MAPK signaling pathways in diquat-challenged piglets.

This study aimed to explore the protective effects of L-theanine supplementation on the diquat-challenged weaned piglets. A total of 160 weaned piglets were randomly divided into 4 groups using a 2 × 2 two-factor design, there were 4 replicates per group and 10 pigs per replicate. Piglets were fed diets (with 1000 mg/kg L-theanine addition or not), then challenged with diquat or saline on day 7. 21 days after challenge, two pigs from each replicate were selected for sample collection. Results showed that supplement with 1000 mg/kg L-theanine down-regulated the diarrhea rate, serum D-lactate level, tumor necrosis factor-α, and phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling in pigs without diquat challenge (p < 0.05). While for diquat-challenged piglets, L-theanine addition increased average daily gain, jejunum villus height, and interferon-γ level (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, L-theanine addition decreased the diarrhea rates and mortality, serum D-lactate level, and phosphorylation of ERK and JNK in diquat-challenged pigs (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that L-theanine pretreatment could alleviate diquat-induced oxidative stress and improve intestinal barrier function in diquat-challenged weaned piglets, which can be attributed to suppression of MAPK phosphorylation signaling pathways.

Cinnamaldehyde affects lipid droplets metabolism after adipogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells.

BACKGROUND: Based on our previous research conducted on cinnamaldehyde (CA) exhibiting its ability to improve the growth performance of fattening pigs and the adipogenesis induction model of C2C12 cells constructed in our laboratory, we explored the effects of CA on the generation and development of lipid droplets (LDs) in adipogenic differentiated C2C12 cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: C2C12 cells were treated with either 0.4 mM or 0.8 mM CA. BODIPY staining and triglyceride measurements were conducted to observe the morphology of LDs, and Western blotting was used to measure the expression of their metabolism-related proteins. The results showed that the average number of LDs in the CA treatment groups was more than the control group (P < 0.05), whereas the average LD size and triglyceride content decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of fusion-related genes in the LDs of the CA treatment group significantly decreased, while decomposition-related genes and autophagy-related genes in the LDs in C2C12 cells significantly increased (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Cinnamaldehyde promoted the decomposition and autophagy of lipid droplets in C2C12 cells and inhibited the fusion of lipid droplets.

Effects of Fermented Bamboo Powder Supplementation on Serum Biochemical Parameters, Immune Indices, and Fecal Microbial Composition in Growing-Finishing Pigs.

This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of fermented bamboo powder (FBP) on the growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, immunoglobulins and inflammatory cytokines, and fecal microbial composition of growing−finishing pigs. A total of 108 barrows (initial body weight, 56.30 ± 0.55 kg) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments in a 75 d trial, including a control (CON) diet and two FBP supplementation diets. The CON diet was formulated to three-phase diets according to the body weight of pigs, and the FBP diets were formulated used 5.00% (FBP1) or 10.00% (FBP2) FBP to replace the wheat bran in the CON diet, respectively. The results showed that there were no influences on growth performances between the CON diet and FBP addition diets, whereas the 5% FBP addition decreased the feed:gain of pigs compared to the pigs fed the FBP2 diet from d 0−75 (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the FBP addition increased the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) content in serum (linear, p < 0.05), and pigs fed the FBP1 diet had greater HDLC and IgA contents in serum than those in the pigs fed the CON diet (p < 0.05). Microbial analysis showed that the FBP addition diets decreased the abundance of Spirochaetes, and the FBP2 diet increased the abundance of Firmicutes more than the CON diet (p < 0.05). In addition, the pigs fed the FBP2 diet increased the abundance of uncultured_bacterium_f_Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Prevotellaceae_UCG-003, Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group, and Lactobacillus more than the CON group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the FBP supplementation to the diet had no negative effects on the growth performance and exerted beneficial effects on promoting serum biochemical and immune indices, as well as modulating the fecal microbiota of pigs. Therefore, these results showed that the fermented bamboo powder could be one potential fiber-rich ingredient for growing−finishing pigs, and that the recommended addition proportion in the growing−finishing pigs' diet is 5%.

Influence of Lonicera japonica and Radix Puerariae Crude Extracts on the Fecal Microbiome and Nutrient Apparent Digestibility of Finishing Pigs.

This study aims to investigate the influence of adding Lonicera japonica (L. japonica) and Radix Puerariae crude extracts and their mixture to the diet of finishing pigs on their fecal microbes and nutrient apparent digestibility. A total of 72 healthy Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred barrows without significant differences in body weight (93 ± 2 kg) were selected and randomly divided into four groups (18 in each group). Three replicate pens per group (six pigs per pen) were used, and two pigs were evaluated for each pen. The groups were fed the following diets: control group (CON), basic diet; chlorogenic acid group (CGA group), basic diet + 1 kg/ton L. japonica crude extract; Pueraria flavonoid group (PF group), basic diet + 1 kg/ton Radix Puerariae crude extract; and mix group (Mix group), basic diet + 0.5 kg/ton L. japonica crude extract + 0.5 kg/ton Radix Puerariae crude extract. The following results were obtained: (1) At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Spirochaetes, Proteobacteria, Fibrobaeteres, and Kiritimatiellaeota were the main components of the fecal microbiota (top 5); the relative abundance of bacteria from phyla Firmicutes significantly increased in the Mix group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). At the genus level, Treponema_2, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, uncultured_bacterium_f_Lachnospiraceae, uncultured_bacterium_f_Prevotellaceae, and Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group were the main components of the fecal microbiota (top 5); the relative abundance of bacteria from genus Lactobacillus significantly increased in the Mix group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). Chao1 and Ace counts were significantly higher in group CGA than in the CON group and group Mix (p < 0.05). The alpha and beta diversities and the relative abundance of fecal microbes were higher in all test groups than in the CON group. (2) The protein digestibility was significantly higher in the CGA and PF groups than in the CON group, and the TP digestibility was significantly higher in the CGA than in the CON and Mix groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Lonicera japonica and Radix Puerariae crude extract supplementation in the diet significantly changed fecal microbiota and improved the protein and TP digestibility of finishing pigs.

Pectin supplementation ameliorates intestinal epithelial barrier function damage by modulating intestinal microbiota in lipopolysaccharide-challenged piglets.

During weaning, infants and young animals are susceptible to severe enteric infections, thus inducing intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, intestinal inflammation, and impaired intestinal barrier function. Pectin (PEC), a prebiotic polysaccharide, enhances intestinal health with the potential for a therapeutic effect on intestinal diseases. One 21-d study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of pectin against intestinal injury induced by intraperitoneal injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a piglet model. A total of 24 piglets (6.77±0.92 kg BW; Duroc × Landrace × Large White; barrows; 21 d of age) were randomly assigned into three groups: control group, LPS-challenged group, and PEC + LPS group. Piglets were administrated with LPS or saline on d14 and d21 of the experiment. All piglets were slaughtered and intestinal samples were collected after 3 h administration on d21. Pectin supplementation ameliorated the LPS-induced inflammation response and damage to the ileal morphology. Meanwhile, pectin also improved intestinal mucin barrier function, increased the mRNA expression of MUC2, and improved intestinal mucus glycosylation. LPS challenge reduced the diversity of intestinal microbiota and enriched the relative abundance of Helicobacter. Pectin restored alpha diversity and improved the structure of the gut microbiota by enriching anti-inflammatory bacteria and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria, and increased the concentrations of acetate. In addition, Spearman rank correlation analysis also revealed the potential relationship between intestinal microbiota and intestinal morphology, intestinal inflammation, and intestinal glycosylation in piglets. Taken together, these results indicate that pectin enhances intestinal integrity and barrier function by altering intestinal microbiota composition and their metabolites, which subsequently alleviates intestinal injury and finally improves the growth performance of piglets.

Evaluation of energy values of high-fiber dietary ingredients with different solubility fed to growing pigs using the difference and regression methods.

The objective of this study was to compare the energy values of high-fiber dietary ingredients with different solubility (sugar beet pulp [SBP] and defatted rice bran [DFRB]) in growing pigs using the difference and the regression methods. A total of 21 barrows (initial BW, 40.5 ± 1.2 kg) were assigned to 3 blocks with BW as a blocking factor, and each block was assigned to a 7 × 2 incomplete Latin square design with 7 diets and two 13-d experimental periods. The 7 experimental diets consisted of a corn-soybean meal basal diet and 6 additional diets containing 10%, 20%, or 30% SBP or DFRB in the basal diet, respectively. Each of the experimental periods lasted 12 d, with a 7 d dietary adaptation period followed by 5-d total fecal and urine collection. Results showed that the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) of the SBP determined by the difference method with different inclusion levels (10%, 20%, or 30%) were 2,712 and 2,628 kcal/kg, 2,683 and 2,580 kcal/kg, and 2,643 and 2,554 kcal/kg DM basis, respectively. The DE and ME in the DFRB evaluated by the difference method with 3 different inclusion levels were 2,407 and 2,243 kcal/kg, 2,687 and 2,598 kcal/kg, and 2,630 and 2,544 kcal/kg DM basis, respectively. Different inclusion levels had no effects on the energy values of each test ingredient estimated by the difference method. The DE and ME of the SBP and the DFRB estimated by the regression method were 2,562 and 2,472 kcal/kg and 2,685 and 2,606 kcal/kg DM basis, respectively. The energy values of each ingredient determined by the regression method were similar to the values estimated by the difference method with the 20% or 30% inclusion level. However, the energy values of the SBP and DFRB estimated by the difference method with the 10% inclusion level were inconsistent with the values determined by the regression method (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the regression method was a robust indirect method to evaluate the energy values for high-fiber ingredients with different solubility in growing pigs. If the number of experimental animals was limited, the difference method with a moderate inclusion level (at least 20%) of the test high-fiber ingredient in the basal diet could be applied to substitute the regression method.

Effect of dietary fibre and indigestible markers on the apparent total tract digestibility of gross energy and nutrients, and indigestible marker recovery in diets fed to growing pigs.

In this study, the effects of dietary fibre and types of indigestible markers (IM) on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) and nutrients as well as IM recovery in diets fed to growing pigs were investigated. A total of 30 barrows (initial body weight 40.5 ± 1.4 kg) were allotted to five experimental diets, based on a completely randomised block design, with body weight as a blocking factor. The five diets comprised a corn-soya bean meal basal diet, and four diets in which sugar beet pulp (SBP) or defatted rice bran (DFRB) partly replaced 10% or 20% of corn, soya bean meal and soya bean oil in the basal diet. All diets were formulated to contain two types of IM, namely 0.5% chromic oxide (Cr) and 1.0% celite as the source of acid-insoluble ash (AIA). Animals were subjected to a 7-d adaptation period, and their faeces were collected over a 5-d period using the total faecal collection (TC) method. Results showed that the AIA method determined similar ATTD of GE and nutrients as the TC method. Values of dietary nutrients determined via AIA and TC methods were significantly higher than those obtained by Cr (p < 0.05). The ATTD of GE and nutrients linearly decreased with an increased inclusion level of SBP or DFRB (p < 0.01), whereas recoveries of AIA and Cr were not affected by the aforementioned inclusions. Results from the faecal analysis revealed that AIA recovery (90.5%) was significantly higher than that of Cr (84.9%, p < 0.05), while diets with DFRB (91.3%) had significantly greater IM recovery rates than those with SBP (84.4%, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the type of dietary fibre, rather than the level, significantly affects IM recovery. Notably, AIA should be preferred to Cr when using the IM method to determine ATTD of GE and nutrients for diets in growing pigs.

Effects of Optimal Carbohydrase Mixtures on Nutrient Digestibility and Digestible Energy of Corn- and Wheat-Based Diets in Growing Pigs.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of optimal carbohydrase mixture (OCM) on macronutrients and amino acid digestibility and the digestible energy (DE) in growing pigs fed the corn-soybean meal-based diet (CSM) and the wheat-soybean meal-based diet (WSM). A total of 36 ileal-cannulated pigs (50.9 ± 4.9 kg initial body weight) were allotted to four dietary treatments randomly, which included CSM and WSM diets, and two diets supplied with corresponding OCM. These OCMs were screened using an in vitro method from our previous study. After the five day adaptation period, fecal samples were collected from d six to seven, and ileal digesta samples were collected on d 8 and 10. Chromic oxide was added as an indigestible marker. The results show that the addition of OCM improved the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM), ash, carbohydrate (CHO), neutral detergent fiber, and gross energy (GE) and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, CHO, and GE in CSM diet (p < 0.05), but reduced the apparent hindgut disappearance (AHD) of DM in CSM diet (p < 0.05). The ATTD of DM, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ash, and GE and the AHD of DM, CP, EE, ash, CHO, and GE in WSM diet were improved by the OCM addition (p < 0.05), whereas the AID of DM, CP, ash, CHO, and GE were decreased (p < 0.05). The respective DE contents in CSM and WSM diets were increased from 15.45 to 15.74 MJ/kg and 15.03 to 15.49 MJ/kg under the effects of OCM (p < 0.05). Similar to the trend of AID of CP, the OCM addition increased the AID and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of Ile, Thr, and Cys in CSM diet, but decreased the AID and SID of Ile, Phe, Thr, Val, Ala, Pro, Ser, and Tyr in WSM diet. In conclusion, the OCMs screened by an in vitro method could improve the total tract nutrient digestibility and DE for pigs fed corn-based diet or wheat-based diet but had inconsistent effects on the ileal digestibility of nutrients and energy.

Effects of Collection Durations on the Determination of Energy Values and Nutrient Digestibility of High-Fiber Diets in Growing Pigs by Total Fecal Collection Method.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of collection durations on the energy values and nutrient digestibility of high-fiber diets in growing pigs with a time-based total fecal collection method. A total of 24 barrows (body weight (BW): 31.1 ± 1.5 kg) were allotted to a completely randomized design with three diets. Diets included a corn-soybean meal (CSM) basal diet and two additional diets containing 20% sugar beet pulp (SBP) or defatted rice bran (DFRB) by replacing corn, soybean meal, and soybean oil in the CSM diet, respectively. Each diet was fed to eight barrows for a 7-day adaptation period followed by a 7-day total feces and urine collection period. The 7-day collection duration was divided into three collection phases, namely, phase 1 (days 8 to 11), phase 2 (days 11 to 13), and phase 3 (days 13 to 15). Then, similar portions of feces and urine from the different collection phases were composited into three additional samples (days 8 to 11, days 8 to 13, and days 8 to 15, respectively). The results showed that the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) and nutrient in experimental diets decreased linearly as the collection durations increased from a 3-day to a 7-day collection (p < 0.05). However, there were no differences in the energy values, GE, and nutrient digestibility of diets and of high-fiber ingredients between the 5-day and 7-day collection durations. In conclusion, this study suggests that a 5-day collection duration is adequate to determine the energy values and nutrient digestibility of high-fiber diets containing SBP or DFRB in growing pigs by the time-based total fecal collection method.

Supplementation of Non-Starch Polysaccharide Enzymes Cocktail in a Corn-Miscellaneous Meal Diet Improves Nutrient Digestibility and Reduces Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Finishing Pigs.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the addition of the non-starch polysaccharide enzymes cocktail (NSPEC) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gas emissions in a corn-miscellaneous meal-based diet for finishing pigs. The NSPEC is a combination of cellulase, xylanase, ß-glucanase, ß-mannanase, α-galactosidase and pectinase optimized by assessing the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of corn-miscellaneous meal diet using an in vitro method of simulating digestion in the stomach and intestine of growing pigs. Growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and energy were measured. The gas concentration of ammonia, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane in the environmental assessment chambers were determined. The gas detecting period was divided into three frequencies of manure removal of every 1d, 2d and 3d. The addition of NSPEC into the corn-miscellaneous meal diet decreased feed conversation rate (FCR) and increased the ATTD of dry matter, crude protein, gross energy, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber of pigs (p < 0.05). The digestible energy was also improved (p < 0.05) significantly by NSPEC supplementation in the diet. Furthermore, the supplementation of the NSPEC reduced (p < 0.05) carbon dioxide concentration in the chambers. The ammonia emissions were significantly increased according to average 1d, 2d and 3d manure removal procedures (p < 0.01). These results indicated that the inclusion of optimal NSPEC in a corn-miscellaneous meal diet improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility and reduced carbon dioxide emissions on finishing pigs. The accumulated manure could increase the release of ammonia in a pig house.

Amino Acids Regulate Glycolipid Metabolism and Alter Intestinal Microbial Composition.

Amino acids (AAs) and their metabolites regulate key metabolic pathways that are necessary for growth, reproduction, immunity and metabolism of the body. It has been convinced that metabolic diseases are closely related to disorders of glycolipid metabolism. A growing number of studies have shown that AAs are closely related to energy metabolism. This review focuses on the effects of amino acids (arginine, branched-chain amino acids, glutamine) and their metabolites (short chain fatty acids) on glycolipid metabolism by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK signaling pathways and GPCRs receptors, reducing intestinal Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio associated with obesity.

iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis reveals alterations in the liver induced by restricted meal frequency in a pig model.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of meal frequency on metabolite levels in pig plasma and hepatic proteome by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) analysis. METHODS: Twenty-four pigs (60.7 ± 1.0 kg) consumed the same amount of feed either in 2 (M2, n = 12) or 12 (M12, n = 12) meals per day. After an 8-wk feeding period, plasma concentrations of metabolites and hormones, hepatic biochemical traits, and proteome (n = 4 per group) were measured. RESULTS: Pigs on the M12 regimen had lower average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio than pigs fed the M2 regimen. The M2 regimen resulted in lower total lipid, glycogen, and triacylglycerol content in the liver and circulating triacylglycerol concentration than that in the M12 pigs. The metabolic hormone concentrations were not affected by meal frequency, with the exception of elevated fibroblast growth factor 21 concentrations in the M2 regimen compared with the M12 regimen. The iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis revealed 35 differentially expressed proteins in the liver between pigs fed two and 12 meals per day, and these differentially expressed proteins were involved in the regulation of general biological process such as glucose and energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, protein and amino acid metabolism, stress response, and cell redox homeostasis. CONCLUSION: Altogether, the proteomic results provide insights into the mechanism mediating the beneficial effects of restricted meal frequency on the metabolic fitness.

Effects of dietary cellulose levels on the estimation of endogenous amino acid losses and amino acid digestibility for growing pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary cellulose levels on the determination of the ileal endogenous losses (IEL) of amino acids (AA), apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA in corn-soybean meal diets for growing pigs. In the first experiment, 28 pigs (BW, 45.1 ± 2.0 kg) that were fitted with simple T-cannulas at the distal ileum were fed 4 nitrogen-free diets consisting of 4 dietary cellulose levels (0, 3%, 6% and 9%) in a randomized complete block design. In the second experiment, 28 pigs (BW, 45.6 ± 2.0 kg) fitted with simple T-cannulas at the distal ileum were fed 4 corn-soybean meal diets consisting of 4 dietary cellulose levels (0, 3%, 6% and 9%) in a randomized complete block design. There were 7 replicates per diet with 1 pig as a replicate in each treatment. Both experiments consisted of a 7-d adjustment period and a 2-d ileal digesta collection period on d 8 and 9. Chromic oxide was used as an indigestible marker to calculate IEL and digestibility of AA. The results showed that the IEL of AA for growing pigs was not influenced by dietary cellulose supplementation (P > 0.05). The AID of Thr, Ser, Glu, Cys, Ile, Tyr, Phe, Lys and His decreased with increasing cellulose supplementation levels for pigs fed corn-soybean meal diets (P < 0.05). The SID of Thr, Ser, Cys, Val, Ile, Tyr, Phe, Lys and His decreased with increasing cellulose supplementation levels in corn-soybean meal diets (P < 0.05). In summary, dietary cellulose levels had no effect on the estimation of IEL of AA for growing pigs. The AID and SID of most AA in corn-soybean meal diets decreased with increasing levels of dietary cellulose supplementation.