Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could shape the structure of intestinal microbiota in animals. This study was conducted to explore the changes that happen in the structure and function of microbiota caused by weaning stress, and whether early-life FMT could alleviate weaning stress through modifying intestinal microbiota in weaned piglets. Diarrheal (D) and healthy (H) weaned piglets were observed, and in the same farm, a total of nine litters newborn piglets were randomly allocated to three groups: sucking normally (S), weaned at 21 d (W), and early-life FMT + weaned at 21 d (FW). The results demonstrated that differences of fecal microbiota existed in group D and H. Early-life FMT significantly decreased diarrhea incidence of weaned piglets. Intestinal morphology and integrity were improved in the FW group. Both ZO-1 and occludin (tight junction proteins) of jejunum were greatly enhanced, while the zonulin expression was significantly down-regulated through early-life FMT. The expression of IL-6 and TNF-α (intestinal mucosal inflammatory cytokines) were down-regulated, while IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokines) was up-regulated by early-life FMT. In addition, early-life FMT increased the variety of the intestinal microbial population and the relative amounts of some beneficial bacteria such as Spirochaetes, Akkermansia, and Alistipes. Functional alteration of the intestinal microbiota revealed that lipid biosynthesis and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis were enriched in the FW group. These findings suggested that alteration of the microbiota network caused by weaning stress induced diarrhea, and early-life FMT alleviated weaning stress in piglets, which was characterized by decreased diarrhea incidence, improved intestinal morphology, reduced intestinal inflammation, and modified intestinal bacterial composition and function.

Weaning stress induces intestinal barrier dysfunction and immune dysregulation in mammals. Various interventions based on the modulation of intestinal microbiota have been proposed. Our study aims to explore the effects of co-cultures from Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bacillus subtilis (FAM®) on intestinal mucosal barrier from the perspective of metabolic function of gut microbiota. A total of 180 piglets were allocated to three groups, i.e., a control group (C, basal diet), a FAM group (F, basal diet supplemented with 0.1% FAM), and an antibiotic group (A, basal diet supplemented with antibiotic mixtures). Here, we showed FAM supplementation significantly increased body weight and reduced diarrhea incidence, accompanied by attenuated mucosal damage, increased levels of tight junction proteins, serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and antimicrobial peptides. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis revealed an increase in relative abundance of Clostridiales, Ruminococcaceae, Firmicutes and Muribaculaceae and a significant increase in the total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and butyric acid in FAM-treated piglets. FAM also increased CD4+ T cells and SIgA+ cells in intestinal mucosa and SIgA production in colon contents. Furthermore, FAM upregulated the expression of IL-22, short-chain fatty acid receptors GPR43 and GPR41, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α). FAM shows great application prospect in gut health and provides a reference for infant weaning.

A growing body of evidence highlights the properties of flavonoids in natural foods for disease prevention. Due to their antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic activities, flavonoids have been revealed to benefit skeletal muscle, liver, pancreas, adipocytes, and neural cells. In this review, we introduced the basic classification, natural sources, and biochemical properties of flavonoids, then summarize the experimental results and underlying molecular mechanisms concerning the effects of flavonoid consumption on obesity, cancers, and neurogenerative diseases that greatly threaten public health. Especially, the dosage and duration of flavonoids intervening in these diseases are discussed, which might guide healthy dietary habits for people of different physical status.

No abstract