Bile enhances glucose uptake, reduces permeability, and modulates effects of lectins, trypsin inhibitors and saponins on intestinal tissue.

Antinutritional factors (ANFs) can disrupt digestive and other intestinal functions. ANFs in soybean meal (SBM) are implicated in proliferative and inflammatory responses in the intestine of various (functionally) monogastric animals, including Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). The goal of the current study was to investigate the effect of ex vivo exposure of mid and distal intestinal tissue of salmon to soybean saponins (SAP), lectin (LEC) and Kunitz' trypsin inhibitor (KTI), singly and in combination, on epithelial function, as assessed by measuring in vitro glucose uptake pathways along a glucose concentration gradient. As solubilization of SAP in the calcium-containing Ringer's solution was problematic but resolved with the addition of a physiological concentration of bile collected from the gall bladder of salmon, an evaluation of bile effects became an added element. Results indicated that bile increased baseline glucose absorption and possibly transport, and also had a protective effect on the epithelial barrier, at least partially due to taurocholate. Compared to controls, tissues exposed to LEC+bile, KTI+bile and LEC+KTI+bile exhibited increased glucose uptake at the higher glucose concentrations, apparently due to markedly increased tissue permeability. Addition of SAP, however, attenuated the response, possibly by binding bile components. SAP+bile, also in combination with LEC and/or KTI, as well as LEC, KTI and LEC+KTI without bile often reduced transcellular glucose uptake pathways, while maintaining low tissue permeability. SAP+LEC+KTI+bile, LEC and KTI caused the most marked reductions. The distal intestine was more affected, reflecting the restriction of in vivo SBM-induced inflammatory changes to this region.

Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (fabp2) in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): Localization and alteration of expression during development of diet induced enteritis.

In the present study full-length cDNAs corresponding to three isoforms of intestinal fatty acid binding protein (fabp2) in Atlantic salmon were cloned and characterized. Gene expression of fabp2 was observed in all tissues investigated, although differences were observed between isoforms. The highest fabp2a1, fabp2a2, and fabp2b expression was in the intestine. A 15kDa protein, corresponding to putative Fabp2 protein, was identified by immunoblotting using anti-human Fabp2 antibody. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry confirmed that Fabp2 protein was present in most Atlantic salmon tissues. Similar to gene expression, intestinal tissues had the highest Fabp2 protein levels, decreasing gradually from proximal to distal intestine. During development of distal intestinal inflammation caused by dietary soybean meal from 0 to 21days, Fabp2 decreased significantly on both transcriptional and protein levels. The reduction in Fabp2 was preceded by a down regulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (ppar) alpha and gamma, fabp2's presumed regulatory proteins, and followed by a progressive increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Pcna) staining. Results illustrate that the early decline of distal intestinal fabp2 was likely caused by a down regulation of their regulatory proteins, but at later time points reduced Fabp2 may largely be due to a less mature enterocyte population resulting from rapid cell turnover.

Interaction of soyasaponins with plant ingredients in diets for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

The effects of combining soyasaponins with plant ingredients on intestinal function and fish health were investigated in an 80 d study with Atlantic salmon (270 g) distributed thirty each into twenty-four tanks with seawater. Soyasaponins were supplemented (2 g/kg) to diets with maize gluten (MG), pea protein concentrate (PPC) and sunflower (SFM), rapeseed (RSM) or horsebean meals. A diet with soyabean meal (SBM) and another with wheat gluten and soyasaponins served as reference diets. Marked soyasaponin effects were observed when combined with PPC. This combination induced inflammation in the distal intestine (DI) similar to SBM, reduced feed intake, apparent digestibility of lipid, most amino acids and ash, decreased bile salt levels in intestinal chyme and decreased leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activity but increased trypsin activity in the DI. No enteritis was observed in other diet groups, but small consistent negative soyasaponin effects were seen on lipid and fatty acid digestibility, faecal DM and LAP activity of the DI. Soyasaponin combination with RSM reduced digestibility of all nutrients including minerals. The mineral effect was also seen for SFM, whereas with MG and SFM a positive soyasaponin effect on feed intake was observed. Caution should be exercised to avoid ingredient combinations giving high saponin levels, a condition that appears to be a key factor in diet-induced enteritis together with certain plant ingredients.