Dietary Zinc and Fibre Source can Influence the Mineral and Antioxidant Status of Piglets

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of dietary zinc glycine chelate and potato fibre on the absorption and utilisation of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn; the activity of Zn-containing enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; alkaline phosphatase, ALP); and zinc transporter concentrations (metalothionein1, MT1; zinc transporter1, ZnT1) in tissues, with a special emphasis on the small intestine. Twenty-four barrows (Danbred × Duroc) were randomly allotted to four diets (supplemented with 10 g/kg of crude fibre and 120 mg Zn/kg) that consisted of cellulose and either zinc sulphate (C) or zinc glycinate (ZnGly), or contained potato fibre supplemented with ZnSO4 (PF) or ZnGly (PF + ZnGly). Feeding PF can influence the Zn absorption in the small intestine due to reduced zinc transporters MT1 and ZnT1 in the jejunum. The activity of antioxidant enzyme SOD and liver ZnT1, and duodenal iron concentrations were increased in the PF treatments. Dietary ZnGly did not significantly influence the Zn distribution, but it may alter the absorption of Fe and Mn. Given the elevated content of thiol groups and the Zn/Cu ratio in plasma, as well as the altered SOD activity and MT content in the tissues, we can conclude that feeding PF and ZnGly can influence the mineral and antioxidant status of growing piglets. However, further research is needed in order to elucidate the effect of both dietary sources on the transport systems of other minerals in enterocytes.

Changes in Diarrhea Score, Nutrient Digestibility, Zinc Utilization, Intestinal Immune Profiles, and Fecal Microbiome in Weaned Piglets by Different Forms of Zinc

“…It also helps in the development of the gastrointestinal tract in pigs, preventing diarrhea, and thus affecting growth [ 17 ]. The natural zinc content of feedstuff is insufficient for pigs, and zinc is usually added in an inorganic form, such as ZnO or ZnSO 4 [ 35 ]. The ZnO form has low reactivity and bioavailability, and the ZnSO 4 form is hygroscopic and reacts with rapid ions to form free radicals to accelerate the breakdown of fatty acids, vitamins, and other nutrients in the feed [ 36 ].…”

Bioavailability of Dietary Zinc Sources and Their Effect on Mineral and Antioxidant Status in Lambs

“…ZnProt supplementation reduced plasma and hepatic Cu concentrations, which could indicate sequestration of dietary Cu in intestinal MT induced by feeding with the ZnProt diet. Low intracellular available Cu bound to MT could affect Fe and Mn transport through the Cu-dependent protein hephaestin and a common transporter, ferroportin [56,57]. Unfortunately, we did not measure MT concentrations in the intestine mucosa, so our results cannot clearly indicate binding of Cu to MT.…”

Adverse Effects of Heat Stress on the Intestinal Integrity and Function of Pigs and the Mitigation Capacity of Dietary Antioxidants: A Review

“…Liu et al [ 116 ] reported that combinations of Zn oxide and tannins (ZnO + hydrolysable tannins) improved the antioxidant capacity and digestive enzymes of pigs. Organic zinc (Zn glycinate and Zn methionine) also influences the pigs’ antioxidant status and helps maintain a healthy immune system [ 117 , 118 ]. In another study, supplementation of Se and vitamin E at high levels attenuated HS’s impact on the intestinal barrier integrity of pigs, associated with a depletion of OS, as assessed by decrease in antioxidant enzymes [ 119 ].…”