Dietary ZnO nanoparticles alters intestinal microbiota and inflammation response in weaned piglets

Abstract

The present study was carried out to determine whether low dose of zinc oxide nanoparticles (Nano-ZnO) could serve as a potential substitute of pharmacological dose of traditional ZnO in weaned piglets. 180 crossbred weaning piglets were randomly assigned to 3 treatments. Experimental animals were fed basal diet supplemented with 0 mg Zn/kg (Control), 600 mg Zn/kg (Nano-ZnO) and 2000 mg Zn/kg (ZnO) for 14 days. On day 14 after weaning, the piglets fed Nano-ZnO did not differ from those fed traditional ZnO in growth performance and jejunal morphology, while Nano-ZnO treatment could significantly alleviate the incidence of diarrhea (P < 0.05). In jejunum, the mRNA expressions of intestinal antioxidant enzymes and tight junction proteins were increased (P < 0.05) in Nano-ZnO treatment. In ileum, the expression levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, TNF-α and NF-κB were decreased (P < 0.05). Gene sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA revealed that dietary Nano-ZnO increased the bacterial richness and diversity in ileum, while decreased both of them in cecum and colon. Specifically, the relative abundances of Streptococcus in ileum, Lactobacillus in colon were increased, while the relative abundances of Lactobacillus in ileum, Oscillospira and Prevotella in colon were decreased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data reveal that low dose of Nano-ZnO (600 mg Zn/kg) can effectively reduce piglet diarrhea incidence, similar to high dose of traditional ZnO (2000 mg Zn/kg), which may be mediated by improving intestinal microbiota and inflammation response in piglets, and help to reduce zinc environmental pollution.

Supplemental-coated zinc oxide relieves diarrhoea by decreasing intestinal permeability in weanling pigs

“…It has been reported that pharmacological does of ZnO can increase villus height and reduce crypt depth in the small intestine of weaned piglets (Li et al 2001). Furthermore, Xia et al (2017) demonstrated that low dose of zinc oxide nanoparticles had comparable effects on improving jejunal morphology to a high dose of traditional ZnO. In the present study, supplementation with low does C-ZnO, as well as high does ZnO, had higher villus height at the jejunal mucosa as compared with the control.…”

Dietary inclusion of Peptiva, a peptide-based feed additive, can accelerate the maturation of the fecal bacterial microbiome in weaned pigs

“…Notably, three ingredients (dried whey, fish meal and zinc oxide) were included in Phase II diets, but not in Phase III diets ( Supplementary File 1). As its primary use is to prevent diarrhea, zinc oxide represents a likely candidate modulator of gut microbiome composition [46][47][48][49][50]. However, its target bacterial groups in gut environments remain to be further investigated, as exemplified by two conflicting studies, one observing a decrease in Lactobacilli as a result of dietary inclusion of zinc oxide [48], while the other reported no effect [51].…”

Gut Microbiota and Type 1 Diabetes

“…Supplementation of zinc can increase bacterial diversity, richness, and activity in the ileum of piglets [ 76 , 77 , 78 ]. Moreover, zinc deficiency may promote the development of T1D via affecting the inflammatory response and impacting the metabolic control [ 79 ]. In addition, prebiotics via food additives elevate protective intestinal microbiota and improve the permeability of the intestinal barrier, thus helping to improve health and prevent the development of diet-related chronic diseases including diabetes [ 80 , 81 ].…”