Transmural trophic effect of short chain fatty acid infusions on atrophic, defunctioned rat colon

The Effect of a Diet Containing Extruded Faba Bean Seeds on Growth Performance and Selected Microbial Activity Indices in the Large Intestine of Piglets

Simple Summary

Grain legumes are cultivated for food and feed purposes in all regions of the world. Legumes are the main source of protein for a large part of the world population where animal protein is hardly available. The potential of grain legumes is increasing primarily due to the genetic improvement of their agricultural and nutritional characteristics and expansion of organic farming. They are also fed to animals as a component of concentrates and on farms producing “organic” food. Therefore, studies on the composition, nutritional value and factors affecting quality of legume protein contribute to a more efficient utilization of seeds as feed and food ingredients. Faba bean is rich in both starch and protein and is an important alternative protein source in animal nutrition; however, its potential is not yet fully exploited, particularly in pig diets. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of diets containing various levels of extruded faba bean seeds on growth performance and selected microbial activity indices in the large intestine of pigs. Treatments with faba bean seeds did not negatively affect growth performance (except for the highest level of faba bean) and microbial activity in the large intestine, and can be applied in piglet diets.

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of replacing soybean meal with extruded faba bean seeds on piglet growth performance and selected microbial activity indices in the large intestine. In total, 24, 35-day-old, healthy, castrated piglets of similar body weight were divided into four groups with six replicates. Animals in the control group (C) were fed with soybean meal without extruded faba bean seeds. In other experimental groups, pigs were fed diets with the addition of 20 (FB20), 25 (FB25) or 30% (FB30) extruded faba bean seeds instead of soybean meal and wheat starch. Growth performance, histology of the large intestine, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and ammonia concentration, as well as the activity of bacterial enzymes in digesta samples, were analyzed. The intake of the FB25 diet resulted in an increased feed:gain ratio in comparison to the FB30 group. Feeding the FB30 diet increased tunica muscularis thickness in the caecum as compared to other groups. Moreover, dietary inclusion of extruded faba bean seeds had no effect on SCFA and ammonia concentration. In addition, feeding diets with a different level of extruded faba bean seeds did not affect the activity of bacterial enzymes in the colon.

Prevention of Histological Changes after Colonic Diversion in Rats: An Experimental Study

AIM

To determine the beneficial effects of Glutamine, Psyllium, Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA), and Maharishi Amrit Kalash (MAK), in preventing the histological changes after diversion colostomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

After ethical clearance, male wistar rats (n=40) underwent diversion colostomy. Rats were divided into five groups of 8 rats each. Each group was given, after diversion colostomy, per rectally, one of the five agents being tested as an enema (3 ml/kg/day). Group I: Normal saline. Group II: Glutamine Group III: Psyllium, Group IV: MAK. Group V: Short chain fatty acid. The rats were euthanised 45 days after performing diversion colostomy. Morphometrical analysis of defunctionalised colon was done. Statistical analysis was done using SSPS statistical analysis software.

RESULTS

On comparison with Group I epithelial cell height and mucosal thickness was significantly higher in Group II. Muscularis externae thickness was significantly higher in Group III on comparison with Group I. Group V had least inflammatory changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Atrophic and inflammatory changes in the diverted colon can be prevented by per rectal administration of Glutamine, Psyllium and Short chain fatty acids.

Association of germ-free mice with a simplified human intestinal microbiota results in a shortened intestine

Genetic, nutritional, and gut microbiota-derived factors have been proposed to play a role in the development of the whole intestine that is around 40% longer in PRM/Alf mice compared with other mouse strains. The PRM/Alf genotype explains 60% of this length difference. The remaining 40% are due to a maternal effect that could depend on the gut microbiota transmitted by the mother to their pups. Germ-free PRM/Alf mice and C3H/He mice were associated with a simplified human microbiota (SIHUMI) to study its impact on gut length. The small intestines of the SIHUMI-associated mice were 16.4% (PRM/Alf) and 9.7% (C3H/He) shorter than those of the corresponding germ-free counterparts. Temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis and quantitative real-time PCR revealed differences in microbiota composition between both SIHUMI-associated mouse strains. Anaerostipes caccae was one log lower in PRM/Alf mice than in C3H/He mice. Since polyamines and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are important intestinal growth factors, their concentrations were explored. Cecal concentrations of putrescine, spermine, spermidine, and N-acetylspermine were 1.5-fold, 3.7-fold, 2.2-fold, and 1.4-fold higher, respectively, in the SIHUMI-C3H/He mice compared with the SIHUMI-PRM/Alf mice. In addition, cecal acetate, propionate, and butyrate concentrations in SIHUMI-C3H/He mice were 1.4-fold, 1.1-fold, and 2.1-fold higher, respectively, than in SIHUMI-PRM/Alf mice. These results indicate that polyamines and SCFAs did not promote gut lengthening in any of the two mouse strains. This suggests that as yet unknown factors provided by the SIHUMI prevented gut lengthening in the SIHUMI-associated mice compared with the germfree mice.

Influência da irrigação de soluções nutricionais no colo excluso de trânsito intestinal: estudo experimental em ratos

A colite por exclusão é descrita como processo inflamatório que ocorre nos segmentos colorretais desprovidos do trânsito fecal. A deficiência dos ácidos graxos de cadeia curta vem sendo considerada como principal fator causal. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar, em modelo experimental de colite de exclusão, a importância da irrigação do segmento desprovido de trânsito com soluções nutricionais na prevenção e tratamento do processo inflamatório. MÉTODO: Foram utilizados trinta ratos Wistar, machos, com peso inicial variando entre 350 e 500 gramas, submetidos à derivação do trânsito intestinal através da realização de colostomia proximal e fístula mucosa distal. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos de 10 animais segundo a irrigação do segmento excluso de trânsito ter sido realizada, empregando-se: Grupo SF: solução fisiológica a 0,9%; Grupo GH: solução de glicose a 50%; e Grupo AG: solução de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta. Em todos os animais, a irrigação do colo excluso foi realizada em intervalos de quatro dias sendo sacrificados sempre no 21º pós-operatório. Os fragmentos removidos dos segmentos intestinais foram corados pelas técnicas da hematoxilina-eosina e tricrômio de Masson. As variáveis histológicas estudadas foram: espessura da túnica mucosa, congestão vascular; infiltrado inflamatório e a deposição de colágeno. Os resultados encontrados foram submetidos a estudo estatístico considerando nível de significância de 5% (p< 0,05). RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que no grupo onde se irrigou o cólon excluso com solução de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta houve menor congestão vascular, menor infiltrado inflamatório e menor deposição de colágeno quando comparado aos demais grupos experimentais. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados do presente trabalho mostram que a irrigação de segmentos desprovidos de trânsito fecal com ácidos graxos de cadeia curta, encontra-se relacionada à melhora no processo inflamatório decorrente visto na colite de exclusão.

Short-chain fatty acid formation in the hindgut of rats fed oligosaccharides varying in monomeric composition, degree of polymerisation and solubility

The contents of short-chain fatty acids were investigated in rats fed lactitol, lactulose and four fructo-oligosaccharides of different degree of polymerisation and solubility. Fructo-oligosaccharides with a low degree of polymerisation (2–8) generated the highest levels of butyric acid all along the hindgut, whereas fructo-oligosaccharides with a high degree of polymerisation (10–60) generated the highest levels of propionic acid. These specific differences were also generally reflected in the caecal pools and molar proportions of short-chain fatty acids. The lower solubility of the fructo-oligosaccharides was related to a lower degree of caecal fermentation. Lactulose and lactitol yielded high proportions of acetic acid and low proportions of butyric acid. It is concluded that both the degree of polymerisation and the solubility may affect short-chain fatty acid formation, whereas the fructose contentper seseem to be of less importance. This may be of interest when designing foods with specific health effects.

The effect of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in rats: an experimental study

The limited efficacy of standard medical therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases has resulted in a continuing search for alternative treatments. Growth hormone (GH) has shown to have mutagenic and proliferative effects on intestinal cells. This study was designed to identify the effect of growth hormone on trinitrobenzene slfonic acid-induced colitis (TNBSIC) in rats. This study was carried out on 30 rats, divided in 3 groups: group 1: TNBSIC+ GH, group 2: TNBSIC, group 3: saline enema. Colitis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (200 g-250 g) by intracolonic installation of 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid in 50% ethanol. GH treatment has been started and continued throughout the study after inducing colitis. All rats were killed after 5 weeks and colonic segments were examined histopathologically. Microscopic and macroscopic damage scores were caulculated. Intestinal damage scores were found higher in Goups II when compared with treatment group (P < 0.05). There was no damage in group 3 as expected. Both macroscopic and microscopic scores were highest in group 2 (P < 0.05). The myloperoxidase activity was found lower comparing to group 2 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, growth hormone replacement had protective effects against colonic inflammation while reducing intestinal damage on TNB-induced colitis.

Os ácidos graxos de cadeia curta na cicatrização de anastomoses colônicas: estudo experimental em ratos

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a ação dos ácidos graxos de cadeia curta (AGCC) na cicatrização de anastomoses colônicas em ratos. MÉTODO: Utilizaram-se 50 ratos divididos em 4 grupos. Dois desses grupos, vinte e seis animais, foram submetidos à operação de Hartmann; metade destes (grupo HF) recebeu infusões retais diárias, no pós-operatório, de solução fisiológica a 0,9% ; a outra metade (grupo HA) recebeu solução de butirato de sódio à 80mmol/l (AGCC) (HA). Os dois grupos restantes, vinte e quatro animais foram submetidos à anastomose colônica término-terminal a 4 cm da borda anal. Destes, 12 animais (grupo AF) receberam infusões retais de soro fisiológico a 0,9% e 12 animais (grupo AA) receberam a solução com AGCC. Os animais foram avaliados no 7º e 14º dia do pós-operatório. Foi realizada análise histológica da densitometria do colágeno pela coloração do sirius red, utilizando-se a microscopia de polarização com método computadorizado. RESULTADOS: Comparando-se os grupos submetidos à cirurgia de Hartmann, portanto na ausência do trânsito intestinal, observou-se concentração significativamente maior de colágeno I e total no grupo que recebeu AGCC (p=0,001). Comparando-se os grupos submetidos à anastomose término-terminal, com interferência do trânsito intestinal, não se encontrou diferença significante da concentração de colágeno I e total (p=0,056 e p=0,397, respectivamente). A ação isolada do trânsito intestinal promoveu também aumento da produção de colágeno, quando comparado ao grupo sem atuação do trânsito intestinal. CONCLUSÃO: A administração via retal de AGCC, na ausência do trânsito intestinal mostrou-se de grande valia, promovendo aumento da síntese do colágeno. Independentemente da interferência do trânsito intestinal, o principal efeito do AGCC esteve relacionado com o aumento da maturação do colágeno.

Colonic epithelial atrophy induced by a fibre-free diet in rats is reversed by minimal amounts of luminal butyrate, but only in the short term

BACKGROUND

Luminal butyrate may be trophic to the colonic epithelium, but this effect is poorly characterized. The aim of the present study was to define the dose-response, time-course, site-specificity and the dependence on background diet of the effects of butyrate on epithelial proliferation in normal distal colon, using an in vivo rat model of colonic substrate delivery.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats, maintained on a fibre-free diet, had butyrate infused twice daily into the colonic lumen via polyethylene tubes placed at laparotomy. Varying dose levels (0-80 micro mol/d; 4 d), site (caecal vs distal colonic), duration of infusions (1-5 weeks; 80 micro mol/d), or dietary fibre intake were investigated. Epithelial proliferative indices were assessed stathmokinetically.

RESULTS

Four-day infusions of butyrate led to a progressive trophic effect (cells/crypt column increased from 37.9 +/- 1.6 at 0 micro mol/d to 44.7 +/- 1.2 at 80 micro mol/d) on fibre-deprived colonic mucosa, related linearly to the daily butyrate dose (P < 0.001, linear regression). This effect was mediated by increases in the number and proportion of mitoses, related to the square of the butyrate dose (P < 0.001 in each case, polynomial regression). Butyrate (80 micro mol/d) was associated with significantly higher cellularity (59.9 +/- 1.4) and mitotic activity (4.9 +/- 0.6) per crypt column compared to vehicle controls (50.3 +/- 1.6 and 0.9 +/- 0.2, respectively; P < 0.05, t-tests), at 1 and 3 weeks, but not at 5 weeks. Butyrate had similar effects on distal colonic crypt cellularity (62.0 +/- 1.5) when delivered caecally, but in rats fed a fibre-containing diet, colonic crypt cellularity (55.3 +/- 3.2) was similar to baseline (59.6 +/- 1.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Trophic effects of butyrate are concentration-dependent and occur at low doses in the short term, but are not sustained over longer periods. They are seen only in a fibre-deprived state and appear to be independent of the site of administration.

How host-microbial interactions shape the nutrient environment of the mammalian intestine

Humans and other mammals are colonized by a vast, complex, and dynamic consortium of microorganisms. One evolutionary driving force for maintaining this metabolically active microbial society is to salvage energy from nutrients, particularly carbohydrates, that are otherwise nondigestible by the host. Much of our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which members of the intestinal microbiota degrade complex polysaccharides comes from studies of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a prominent and genetically manipulatable component of the normal human and mouse gut. Colonization of germ-free mice with B. thetaiotaomicron has shown how this anaerobe modifies many aspects of intestinal cellular differentiation/gene expression to benefit both host and microbe. These and other studies underscore the importance of understanding precisely how nutrient metabolism serves to establish and sustain symbiotic relationships between mammals and their bacterial partners.

Effects of oral supplement of L-glutamine on diverted colon wall

Diverted colorectal segments can present trophic and inflammatory changes. These alterations are of special importance in the patients whose colostomy becomes permanent, as well as in the differential diagnosis with other inflammatory diseases. This study was accomplished to quantify these alterations and to determine if oral supplement of L-glutamine would avoid them. Twenty-six adult male Wistar rats were distributed in three groups: control, colostomized and colostomized+L-glutamine. The colostomized group received a loop colostomy. The colostomized+L-glutamine group received a colostomy similar to the previous group and oral supplement of L-glutamine. Partial volumes of all layers of the colonic wall were measured by image analysis stereology. The diversion caused a decrease of partial volumes of the mucosa and the epithelium as well, and also of the height of the intestinal crypts (p<0.05). There was an increase of partial volumes of the lamina propria, of the submucosa and of the muscularis mucosae vs controls (p<0.05). The partial volume of the muscularis propria didn't show significant alteration. The supplementation of L-glutamine was effective in preventing the atrophy of mucosa and epithelium (p<0.05), also avoiding the increase of partial volumes of the submucosa and lamina propria (p<0.05). This supplement didn't change significantly the muscular layers. In conclusion, colostomy causes the atrophy of the colon wall, mainly due to the atrophy of the epithelium. The supplementation of L-glutamine is able to avoid these changes.

A ação dos ácidos graxos de cadeia curta na cicatrização de anastomoses colônicas: estudo experimental em ratos

Os ácidos graxos de cadeia curta (AGCC) derivam da fermentação das fibras ingeridas na dieta e atuam como substrato das células da mucosa colônica. O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a ação dos AGCC na cicatrização do cólon. Utilizaram-se 16 ratos fêmea divididos em 2 grupos de 8 animais. No grupo controle (HC) os animais foram submetidos à cirurgia de Hartmann e infusão pós-operatória de solução salina isotônica via retal por 7 dias. No grupo experimento (HA) a solução salina foi substituída por solução isosmolar contendo AGCC. Nos animais do grupo controle, a pressão média de ruptura do segmento distal do cólon foi de 128,37 mmHg, sendo este valor de 137,25 mmHg no grupo experimento (p=0,5693). A avaliação histológica em hematoxilina-eosina foi semelhante nos dois grupos estudados. A densitometria do colágeno demonstrou concentração significativamente maior de colágeno maduro (tipo I) no grupo experimento, quando comparado com o grupo controle (p=0,0094). O colágeno total também foi mais encontrado no grupo experimento, comparado-se com o grupo controle (p=0,0371). Conclui-se que os ratos submetidos à infusão intraluminal de AGCC têm maior concentração de colágeno maduro e total na linha de sutura do coto retal, quando comparados com o grupo controle.

Role of butyric acid and its derivatives in the treatment of colorectal cancer and hemoglobinopathies

Butyric acid, a short chain fatty acid (SCFA), is a natural component of the animal metabolism. Physiological concentrations induce multiple and reversible biological effects. They concern regulatory mechanisms of gene expression conducing to promote markers of cell differentiation, apoptosis and cell growth control. The described hyperacetylation of histones and the induction of several immune or non-immune cell-activating mediators are consistent with the pleiotropic stimulatory effect of the agent. Butyric acid is considered as a biological response modifier (BRM) and is an interesting tool for biological studies. The history of butyric acid as a putative medication in human health is spanning since 60 years and is confusing in part because of conflicting data between exciting experimental results and clinical trials. In light of minimal impact of systemic therapy and the short half-life of the saline molecule used, it is evident that continuous infusions of butyrate are required to improve the efficacy of the treatment. Butyric acid has been viewed with skepticism because of less convenient for long-term chronic therapy. New experimental data from several studies conduced within the past decade with butyric derivatives, delivery systems, and long-acting prodrugs, have demonstrated the practical value of the therapeutic concept. To support issues regarding clinical development, it was of interest to evaluate the recent information, showing butyric acid currently considered as therapeutic purposes in the treatment of colorectal cancer and hemoglobinopathies.

Nutrient pharmacotherapy for gut mucosal diseases

The use of nutrients for pharmacotherapy is a recent advance in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders or alterations of gut function and structure. Nutrients may have a direct effect on the gut, or may enhance the response to medications. Alternatively, pharmacologic agents may improve the absorption of nutrients. Potentially, pharmacotherapy may be an adjunct to the traditional approach used in the treatment of compromised patients.

Effects of short-chain fatty acids on the inflamed colonic mucosa

Selected inflammatory conditions of the distal alimentary tract may respond to topical SCFA treatment. The rationale for using SCFA enemas is based on Roediger's (1980) observation that butyrate is the preferred fuel of colonocytes and that SCFA deficiency could lead, in the short term, to mucosal hypoplasia and, in the long term, to colitis. The absence of luminal nutrients is especially evident in the excluded rectum after complete diversion of the faecal stream. Harig et al. (1989) were the first to treat successfully diversion colitis with SCFA irrigation (acetate 60 mM, propionate 30 mM, n-butyrate 40 mM). However, subsequent studies could not reproduce the initial positive data. In distal ulcerative colitis an impaired mucosal oxidation of SCFAs has been described despite their luminal abundance. Pilot studies using either the SCFA mixture or butyrate monotherapy have yielded promising results. However, extended confirmatory studies with a larger sample size have not yet been performed. Preliminary data are also available for the use of SCFA in pouchitis and radiation proctitis. In summary, SCFA topical therapy seems to be a promising option in distinct forms of inflammatory bowel disease; however, the routine use of SCFAs cannot be recommended until their efficacy has been confirmed in larger trials.

Evaluation in rats of the dose-response relationship among colonic mucosal growth, colonic fermentation, and dietary fiber

The dose-response relationship among dietary fiber, colonic fermentation, fecal weight, and mucosal growth were evaluated in this study. The morphometric parameter of total mucosal volume was used to assess diet-induced differences in colonic mucosal growth. Dietary fibers with a wide range of fermentability and that have previously been shown to inhibit the development of colonic neoplasia in rats were used. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed Purina Rodent Chow, AIN-76a fiber-free diet, or an AIN-76a diet supplemented with three different dietary fibers, (cellulose, guar gum, or wheat bran) at 2, 5, 10, or 15% of the diet. Diets were fed for 28 days. Total colonic mucosal volume was determined using stereologic principles and computerized image analysis; 48-hr fecal weight was measured; and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in colonic contents was determined at study termination. Each type of fiber induced a dose-dependent increase in total mucosal volume of the colon and fecal weight. Mucosal volume and fecal weight were closely correlated (R2 > 0.95). Total mucosal volume was not correlated with the concentration of total SCFA or butyrate in the colon. These results indicate that diet-induced change in colonic mucosal growth, as measured by total mucosal volume, is positively correlated with fecal weight and not related to alterations in colonic fermentation. Enhanced colonic mucosal growth occurs in rats fed dietary fibers that have previously been shown to inhibit the development of genotoxin-induced colonic neoplasia in rats.