'Dietary Arginine Supplementation Affects Intestinal Function by Enhancing Antioxidant Capacity of a Nitric Oxide–Independent Pathway in Low-Birth-Weight Piglets

Abstract

BackgroundLow-birth-weight (LBW) neonates are susceptible to intestinal dysfunction. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity of LBW neonates is significantly lower compared with that of normal-birth-weight (NBW) neonates both at birth and at weaning. In LBW neonates, dietary supplementation with arginine has shown beneficial effects on intestinal function.ObjectiveThe present study explored the potential mechanisms of arginine-induced protective effects against intestinal dysfunction in LBW piglets.MethodsForty 4-d-old LBW piglets [body weight (BW): 1.05 ± 0.04 kg] (Large White × Landrace) were assigned to 4 treatments and artificially fed a whole-milk powder– and whey protein concentrate–based diet (containing 0.65% arginine) either not supplemented with arginine (LBWC) or supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0%, or 1.5% l-arginine for 21 d. In addition, 10 NBW siblings (BW: 1.96 ± 0.03 kg) were selected and fed the basal diet. Growth performance, intestinal morphology, mRNA expression of tight junction protein, redox-sensitive genes and nitric oxide (NO) synthase, cytokines, and redox indexes were determined. Data were subjected to 1-factor ANOVA.ResultsLBW piglets exhibited poorer growth performance (29.9%), lower Claudin1 mRNA level (63.6%), lower antioxidant capacity (22.9 ∼ 24.3%), and higher jejunum interleukin 1 (IL-1) concentration (18.8%) compared with NBW piglets. Dietary supplementation with 0.5% and 1.0% l-arginine significantly enhanced daily BW gain of LBW piglets by 13.6% and 18.2%, respectively. Compared with LBWC, dietary supplementation with 1.0% l-arginine increased the serum insulin concentration (32.2%) and villus height in the jejunum (12.2%) and ileum (20.5%). In the jejunum, the mRNA levels for Claudin1 (105%) and glutathione peroxidase (36%) were higher, and the concentrations of IL-1 (31.7%) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (30%) were lower in arginine-treated piglets than in the LBWC group. However, NO synthase activity and NO concentration in the jejunum of LBW piglets were not influenced by l-arginine supplementation.ConclusionThe results suggested that supplementation with 1.0% l-arginine not only promoted growth performance and improved intestinal functions in LBW piglets but also improved intestinal barrier functions and enhanced antioxidant capacity by an NO-independent pathway.

Milk Fat Globule Membrane Supplementation Promotes Neonatal Growth and Alleviates Inflammation in Low-Birth-Weight Mice Treated with Lipopolysaccharide

“…In this study, our results showed that MFGM supplementation (100 mg/kg BW or 200 mg/kg BW) could improve the growth performance of LBW pups from PND16 to PND21, which is consistent with the previous study [22]. The growth-promoting effects during this time zone could be explained by the increased needs of the neonates for growth but gradually decreased amount of secreted breast milk from PND14 [8, 32]. Consequently, further studies need to be done to elucidate how MFGM supplementation affects the growth performance at different ages.…”

“…Despite advanced prenatal care for both mothers and fetuses, approximately 15% of human infants suffer from LBW worldwide [3] and approximately 15-20% of newborn piglets suffer from IUGR [4]. Neonates with LBW show impaired intestinal development, nutrient metabolism, and immune function in both human-beings [5, 6] and animal models [2, 7, 8]. Metabolic programming and the alterations in early physiological may proceed to intestinal dysfunction during the neonatal period [9].…”

Liver transcriptome profiling and functional analysis of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) piglets reveals a genetic correction and sexual-dimorphic gene expression during postnatal development

“…Moreover, IUGR piglets have been shown to be correlated with high morbidity and mortality, stunted growth, as well as poor carcass quality [1]. Great efforts have been made to minimize the negative effects of IUGR, and some investigations have shown that dietary nutrient supplementation can improve the survival and growth performance of IUGR piglets (e.g., mid-chain triglycerides [3], choline [4], arginine [5], and dimethylglycine sodium salt [6]). However, the underlying mechanisms of nutrient utilization in IUGR piglets were not well defined, and it is difficult to take effective measures to maximize the performance of IUGR piglets.…”

Advances in pig amino acid nutrition during 40 Years of Reform and Opening-up

“…在猪生产上, 新生仔猪对精氨酸需求很高, 而 母乳中精氨酸含量很难满足仔猪生长需要. 研究显示, 低出生体重仔猪补充精氨酸显著促进了肠道发育, 并 增加了生长性能, 其作用机制可能是通过合成一氧化 氮信号分子激活机体代谢而实现的 [81] . 同时, 在早期 断奶仔猪模型上, 添加0.2%~0.8%能够有效改善生长…”