Dietary supplemented antimicrobial peptide microcin J25 improves the growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility, fecal microbiota, and intestinal barrier function of weaned pigs1,2

Abstract

Microcin J25 (MccJ25) is an antimicrobial peptide produced by a fecal strain of Escherichia coli containing 21 AA. This study was performed primarily to evaluate the effects of MccJ25 as a potential substitute for antibiotics (AB) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and intestinal barrier function in weaned pigs. In the present study, 180 weaned pigs (7.98 ± 0.29 kg initial BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments, including a basal diet (CON) and CON supplemented with AB (20 mg/kg colistin sulfate; ABD) or 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25. On d 0 to 14, dietary supplementation with MccJ25 and ABD had positive effects on ADG, ADFI, diarrhea incidence, and G:F ( < 0.05). Pigs fed the 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 diet had greater ADG ( < 0.05) and marginally greater G:F ( < 0.10) compared with pigs fed the ABD diet. Compared with the CON diet, the 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 diet sharply improved ( < 0.05) ADG and G:F and decreased ( < 0.05) diarrhea incidence (d 15 to 28 and d 0 to 28). Apparent digestibility of nutrients in pigs fed 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 was improved ( < 0.05) compared with that of pigs fed CON and ABD. The serum cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in pigs fed MccJ25 were greater than in pigs fed CON ( < 0.05). Additionally, the IL-10 concentration in pigs fed MccJ25 was sharply increased ( < 0.05) compared with that of pigs fed CON. Pigs fed 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 diets had remarkably decreased lactate, diamine oxidase, and endotoxin concentrations and fecal numbers ( < 0.05) and improved fecal and numbers ( < 0.05). Compared with the ABD diet, the diet containing 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 did not increase lactate, diamine oxidase, and endotoxin (d 14) concentrations ( < 0.05) or decrease the and (d 28) numbers ( < 0.05). The diets containing 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 and ABD (d 28) improved lactate concentration and short-chain fatty acid concentrations, including acetate, propionate, and butyrate, in feces ( < 0.05). Moreover, the pigs fed 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 had greater lactate, butyrate (d 14), and propionate concentrations than the pigs fed the ABD diet ( < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplemented MccJ25 effectively improved performance, attenuated diarrhea and systematic inflammation, enhanced intestinal barrier function, and improved fecal microbiota composition of weaned pigs. Therefore, MccJ25 could be a potential effective alternative to AB for weaned pigs.

Effect of Antimicrobial Peptide Microcin J25 on Growth Performance, Immune Regulation, and Intestinal Microbiota in Broiler Chickens Challenged with Escherichia coli and Salmonella

“…Similar to our results, Ohh et al reported that dietary supplementation of AMPs isolated from S. tuberosum had fewer coliforms in the excreta and cecal digesta in broilers [17]. Several studies in swine showed that many AMPs, such as lactoferrin (LF) and AMP A5 (A3) decreased the counts of E. coli and Salmonella, and increased the Lactobacillus counts in the small intestine of swine [8,[18][19][20]. It is understood that AMPs beneficially affect animal health through improving intestinal health and creating gut micro-ecological conditions that suppress harmful microorganisms and promote beneficial microorganisms.…”

“…MccJ25 essentially targets Salmonella and E. coli, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in the nanomolar range (between 2 and 50 nM) [7]. In previous studies, supplementation with MccJ25 has had beneficial functions, not only decreasing E. coli in the gut but also maintaining microbiota homeostasis and reducing intestinal permeability; it also provokes anti-inflammatory responses in animal and cell models [7][8][9]. These features might make it useful for various industrial applications, such as in the poultry industry.…”

Therapeutic administration of the recombinant antimicrobial peptide microcin J25 effectively enhances host defenses against gut inflammation and epithelial barrier injury induced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection

“…44 Inflammatory responses regulating proinflammatory cytokine production and gene expression in the intestine ultimately result in IBD. 28,29,50 Furthermore, our previous study also indicated that MccJ25 in vitro exerts strong antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria, especially ETEC K88, and that it poses no risk of toxicity for hosts and cells. It is confirmed that ETEC infection activates the inflammatory responses of intestinal epithelial cells.…”

The manifold roles of microbial ribosomal peptide–based natural products in physiology and ecology

“…enterica serovar Newport without strong perturbation of the microbiota composition in an in vitro model of colon. 4 The efficacy of microcin J25 in the GI tract was also evaluated in vivo as a strategy to control the negative effects of postweaning stress in pig husbandry (117). Microcin J25 used as a feed additive was shown to reduce inflammation, attenuate diarrhea, and improve growth performance for weaned pigs, which are particularly susceptible to pathogen infections.…”