Bacillus coagulans prevents the decline in average daily feed intake in young piglets infected with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 by reducing intestinal injury and regulating the gut microbiota

Abstract

BackgroundEnterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), an important intestinal pathogen, poses a significant threat to the intestinal health of piglets. Bacillus coagulans (BC), a potential feed additive, can improve the intestinal function of piglets. However, the effects of BC on growth performance and intestinal function in ETEC-infected piglets are still unclear. In this study, 24 7-day-old piglets were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: control group (fed a basal diet), ETEC group (fed a basal diet and challenged with ETEC K88) and BC+ETEC group (fed a basal diet, orally administered BC, challenged with ETEC K88). During Days 1-6 of the trial, piglets in the BC+ETEC group were orally administered BC (1×108CFU/kg). On Day 5 of the trial, piglets in the ETEC and BC+ETEC groups were orally administered ETEC K88 (5×109CFU/piglet). Blood, intestinal tissue, and content samples were collected from the piglets on Day 7 of the trial.ResultsThe average daily feed intake in the ETEC group was significantly reduced compared to that of the control group. Further research revealed that ETEC infection significantly damaged the structure of the small intestine. Compared to the control group, the villus height and surface area of the jejunum, the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the duodenum and jejunum, and the activities of catalase and total superoxide dismutase in the jejunum were significantly reduced. Additionally, the levels of myeloperoxidase in the jejunum, malondialdehyde in the plasma and jejunum, and intestinal epithelial apoptosis were significantly increased in the ETEC group. However, BC supplementation had significantly mitigated these negative effects in the BC+ETEC group by Day 7 of the trial. Moreover, BC supplementation improved the gut microbiota imbalance by reversing the decreased numbers of Enterococcus, Clostridium and Lactobacillus in jejunum and Escherichia coli, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the colon, as well as the increased number of Escherichia coli in the jejunum induced by ETEC K88.ConclusionsOverall, BC supplementation reduced the decline in average daily feed intake in ETEC K88-infected piglets by attenuating intestinal epithelial apoptosis and oxidative stress and regulating the gut microbiota. This suggests that BC may be used to prevent intestinal infections caused by ETEC in piglets.

Bacillus halotolerans attenuates inflammation induced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection in vivo and in vitro based on its metabolite soyasaponin I regulating the p105-Tpl2-ERK pathway

“…1 Recent studies have identified specific microbial groups and metabolites that show promising results in preventing and controlling ETEC infections. 1,[17][18][19] However, the critical metabolites, their molecular receptors, and the pathways through which these microorganisms exert their effects were previously unclear. Our results have demonstrated that the microbial-derived metabolite SoSa I can effectively protect the host against ETEC infection both in vivo and in vitro.…”

“…14 These compounds demonstrate diverse structures, a broad range of biological activities, including antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer effects, 15 and play a beneficial role in disease resistance by either directly inhibiting or indirectly stimulating the host defense mechanism. 8,16 Research has shown that during ETEC infections, Bacillus and certain probiotics [17][18][19] metabolize to produce a variety of bioactive small molecules, such as bacteriocin, 10 short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), 20 and secondary bile acids, 21 which directly or indirectly affect ETEC strains and reduce their colonization in the intestinal tract through different mechanisms. 1 Research by Sudan et al 22 has demonstrated that B. subtilis and its metabolites significantly protect pig intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) against ETEC infection.…”

“…Research has shown that during ETEC infections, Bacillus and certain probiotics 17–19 metabolize to produce a variety of bioactive small molecules, such as bacteriocin, 10 short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), 20 and secondary bile acids, 21 which directly or indirectly affect ETEC strains and reduce their colonization in the intestinal tract through different mechanisms. 1 Research by Sudan et al 22 has demonstrated that B. subtilis and its metabolites significantly protect pig intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) against ETEC infection.…”