A Little Fiber Goes a Long Way

Effects of dietary N-carbamylglutamate supplementation on the modulation of microbiota and Th17/Treg balance-related immune signaling after lipopolysaccharide challenge

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on piglets' growth performance and immune response, and to unravel the mechanisms of such effects. In a 2 × 2 factorial design including diet (with or without NCG) and immunological challenge (saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)), 24 piglets were randomly distributed into four groups. After being fed a basic diet or a NCG-supplemented diet for 21 days, piglets were administered LPS or saline intraperitoneally.

RESULTS

The results showed that NCG increased the average daily gain and average daily feed intake, and the feed conversion ratio of piglets, and alleviated the adverse effects of LPS stimulation on intestinal morphology. At the phylum level, NCG reversed the increase in the abundance of Firmicutes and the reduction in that of Actinomycete caused by LPS stimulation. At the genus level, NCG increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, Blautia, norank_Butyricicoccaceae, Subdoligranulum, and Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group, and LPS decreased the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella and Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group. The short-chain fatty acid content was increased by NCG, but LPS reduced its content. N-Carbamylglutamate also inhibited significantly the LPS-induced increase in the relative expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3, related orphan receptor (RAR) c, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the decrease in the relative expression of STAT5, forkhead box P3, IL-10 and transforming growth factor beta 1 mRNA. A significant correlation was found between intestinal microbiota and inflammatory cytokines and short-chain fatty acids.

CONCLUSION

N-Carbamylglutamate can improve piglets' growth performance. It can also attenuate LPS-induced intestinal inflammation by modulating microbiota and Th17/Treg balance-related immune signaling pathways. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum addition to sows in late gestation and lactation on reproductive performance and intestinal microbiota1

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Clostridium butyricum addition to diets in late gestation and lactation on the reproductive performance and gut microbiota for sows. A total of 180 healthy Landrace × Yorkshire sows at 90 d of gestation were randomly assigned to one of four groups, with 45 replicates per group, receiving a basal commercial diet (Control, 0% C. butyricum) or diet added with 0.1% C. butyricum (1 × 108 CFU/kg of feed), 0.2% C. butyricum (2 × 108 CFU/kg of feed), 0.4% C. butyricum (4 × 108 CFU/kg of feed), respectively. The experiment was conducted from 90 d of gestation to weaning at 21 d of lactation. The results showed that the interval between piglet born was linearly (P < 0.05) decreased, and the duration of farrowing was significantly (quadratic, P < 0.05) shortened as C. butyricum addition increased. There was a linear (P < 0.05) increase in litter weight at weaning and litter weight gain. The concentrations of IgG and IgM in colostrum, and IgM in milk were linearly increased (P < 0.05) as C. butyricum addition. Serum MDA concentrations of sows at parturition and 14 d in lactation, and piglets at 14 and 21 d of age were linearly (P < 0.05) decreased, respectively. The serum total antioxidant capacity concentrations of sows at parturition and 14 and 21 d in lactation, and piglets at 14 and 21 d of age were linearly (P < 0.05) increased as C. butyricum addition, respectively. There was a linear decrease in the serum endotoxin concentration of sows on 21 d in lactation (P < 0.05). The serum cortisol concentrations of piglets at 14 and 21 d of age were both significantly (quadratic, P < 0.05) decreased. The 0.2% C. butyricum increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (P = 0.016) at phylum level, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, Prevotella_1, Prevotellaceae_UCG-003, Prevotella_9, Alloprevotella (P < 0.05) at genus level, and decreased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Actinobacteria (P < 0.001) at phylum level, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Streptococcus, Escheruchia-Shigella, Sphingomonas, Succinivibrio (P < 0.05) at genus level and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (P = 0.020). In conclusion, the present research indicated that dietary addition with C. butyricum could shorten the duration of farrowing and enhance the growth performance of suckling piglets. Moreover, 0.2% C. butyricum administration to sows changed the composition of intestinal microbiota, especially increased the relative abundance of Prevotella.