Responses of Ileal and Fecal Microbiota to Withdrawal of Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy in a Porcine Model of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency.

Little is known regarding the interplay between microbiota and pancreas functions in humans as investigations are usually limited to distal sites, namely the analyses of fecal samples. The aim of this study was to investigate both ileal and fecal microbiota in response to pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) in a porcine model of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). PERT was stopped for ten days in ileo-cecal fistulated minipigs with experimentally induced EPI (n = 8) and ileal digesta as well as fecal samples were obtained before withdrawal, during withdrawal and after the reintroduction of PERT. Profound community changes occurred three days after enzyme omission and were maintained throughout the withdrawal phase. A reduction in α-diversity together with relative abundance changes in several taxa, in particular increases in Bifidobacteria (at both sites) and Lactobacilli (only feces) were observed. Overall, dysbiosis events from the ileum had accumulating effects in distal parts of the gastrointestinal tract with additional alterations occurring only in the colon. Changes were reversible after continuing PERT, and one week later, bacterial communities resembled those at baseline. Our study demonstrates the rapid and profound impacts of enzyme withdrawal in bacterial communities, contributing to our understanding of the interplay between pancreas function and microbiota.

High Dietary Intake of Rye Affects Porcine Gut Microbiota in a Salmonella Typhimurium Infection Study.

Bacterial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates in the hindgut has considerable potential for the stimulation or inhibition of the growth of distinct bacteria within microbiota. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether high levels of rye affect porcine gut microbiota composition with subsequent effects on the load of Salmonella Typhimurium, an intestinal pathogen with zoonotic relevance. Therefore, forty-two 25-day-old piglets were allocated to two groups and fed a diet containing either 69% wheat or 69% rye for 35 days. One week after introducing the two different diets, the piglets were experimentally infected with Salmonella Typhimurium. The microbiota composition of cecal and fecal samples of the piglets were evaluated 28 days after infection. In the cecum, promoted growth of Bifidobacterium, several lactic acid bacteria and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were seen in pigs fed the diet containing 69% rye. Bacterial species belonging to the genera Bifidobacterium and Catenisphaera were associated with differing bacterial counts of Salmonella Typhimurium detected in the cecal contents of all piglets in both feeding groups via cultural cultivation. The high intake of rye instead of wheat seems to promote the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria accompanied by impaired growth conditions for the foodborne pathogen Salmonella Typhimurium.

Nutrient Composition and In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics of Sorghum Depending on Variety and Year of Cultivation in Northern Italy.

Sorghum is the fifth most produced cereal in the world and is a source of nutrients and bioactive compounds for the human diet. This study examined the nutrient composition and in vitro fermentation characteristics of sorghum varieties grown in 2020 and 2021 (n = 15 × 3 × 2) across three locations in the north of Italy (Bologna, Padova, and Rovigo). In 2020, the crude protein content of sorghum was significantly higher in the region of Padova than in the region of Bologna (124 vs. 95.5 g/kg dry matter). However, crude fat, sugar, and gross energy levels showed no significant differences among the different regions in 2020. In 2021, the levels of crude protein, crude fat, sugar, and gross energy had no significant differences among different sorghum varieties harvested from the three regions. Significant differences in some mineral contents were found among the samples particularly in manganese and zinc in both years. After 24 h of fermentation of two different sorghum hybrids (hybrids 1 and 2 of both years harvested in Bologna, n = 4 × 2 × 2), the pH value was significantly higher in hybrid 1 of year 2021 (3.98) than in the other fermented samples (range: 3.71-3.88). The sorghum harvested from the region of Bologna had a significantly higher viscosity value (1.22 mPa·s) compared to other regions (1.8-1.10 mPa·s) in 2021 only. The results show that the nutritional value and viscosity of different sorghum varieties could differ depending on the location and year of cultivation.

Effect of a High Proportion of Rye in Compound Feed for Reduction of Salmonella Typhimurium in Experimentally Infected Young Pigs.

Public health concerns and the potential for food-borne zoonotic transmission have made Salmonella a subject of surveillance programs in food-producing animals. Forty-two piglets (25 d of age and initially 7.48 kg) were used in a 28 d infection period to evaluate the effects of a high proportion of rye on reducing Salmonella Typhimurium. Piglets were divided into two diet groups: control diet (wheat 69%) and experimental diet (rye 69%). After a one-week adaptation period, all piglets were orally infected with Salmonella Typhimurium (107 log CFU/mL; 2mL/pig). Salmonella in fecal shedding were evaluated at day 1, 3, 5, 7 and then weekly after infection. At the end of the experimental period (at day 28 after infection), the piglets were euthanized to sample feces, cecal digesta contents and ileocecal lymph nodes to determine the bacterial counts of Salmonella. The results suggest that the bacterial counts in the experimental group fed rye diets showed evidence of reducing Salmonella fecal shedding from day 14 onwards and decreasing the number of Salmonella in cecal digesta. However, the translocation of Salmonella in ileocecal lymph nodes was not affected. Furthermore, feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion did not differ between the groups (p > 0.05).