Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Mushroom or Vitamin D2-Enriched Mushroom Powders on Gastrointestinal Health Parameters in the Weaned Pig

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the molecular, physiological and microbial effects of mushroom powder (MP), vitamin D2 enriched mushroom powder (MPD2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) in pigs post-weaning. Pigs (four pigs/pen; 12 pens/treatment) were assigned to: (1) basal diet (control), (2) basal diet + ZnO, (3) basal diet + MP (2 g/kg feed) and (4) basal diet + MPD2 (2 g/kg feed). Zinc oxide supplementation improved the feed intake (p < 0.001); increased the caecal abundance of Lactobacillus (p < 0.05); increased the villus height (p < 0.05) in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum; increased the expression of chemokine interleukin 8 (CXCL8; p < 0.05); and decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine gene interleukin 6 (IL6; p < 0.05), tumour necrosis factor (TNF; p < 0.05), nutrient transporters peptide transporter 1 (SLC15A1; p < 0.05) and fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2; (p < 0.05) in the duodenum. Whereas dietary supplementation with MPD2 improved the gastrointestinal morphology (p < 0.05); increased the total volatile fatty acid concentrations (p < 0.05); increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine gene interleukin 10 (IL10; p < 0.05) and nutrient transporters SLC15A1 (p < 0.05), FABP2 (p < 0.05) and vitamin D receptor (VDR; p < 0.05); and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine gene IL6 (p < 0.05), it adversely affected average daily feed intake (ADFI; p < 0.001) and average daily gain (ADG; p < 0.05). Mushroom powder supplementation had a positive impact on gastrointestinal morphology (p < 0.05) and upregulated the expression of nutrient transporters SLC15A1 (p < 0.05) and FABP2 (p < 0.05) and tight junction claudin 1 (CLDN1) (p < 0.05) compared to the controls but had no effect on the expression of inflammatory markers (p > 0.05). Furthermore, MP reduced ADFI (p < 0.01); however, this did not negatively impact the ADG (p > 0.05). In conclusion, MP and MPD2 have limited use as commercial feed additives in replacing ZnO in pig diets as feed intake was reduced post-weaning.

Vitamin D from UV-Irradiated Mushrooms as a Way for Vitamin D Supplementation: A Systematic Review on Classic and Nonclassic Effects in Human and Animal Models

“…In a 45-day longitudinal study (Dowley A. et al, 2021) [ 47 ] conducted in Ireland on 192 pigs (96 males and 96 females), animals fed UVB-exposed mushrooms had significantly higher plasma 25OHD levels, which was associated with enhanced innate immune responses and the induction of anti-inflammatory effects. The experimental protocol was divided into four experimental groups, all fed a standard diet but with different supplementation protocols: The first group received no supplementation at all (control group); the second group was supplemented with ZnO; the third group was treated with unenriched mushroom powder (MP, Agaricus bisporus) such that it provided an amount of β-glucans equivalent to 200 mg/kg feed; and finally, the fourth group was supplemented with a vitamin D2-enriched mushroom powder (MPD2) that provided the same amount of β-glucans as the third group but an additional vitamin D2 content of 100 µg/kg feed.…”

“…The nonclassical functions of the immune system were analyzed in three studies in animal models [ 46 , 47 , 49 ]. Overall, the studies suggest that the supplementation protocols may exert positive effects on innate immunity through enhanced NK-cell activity, a positive modulation in an anti-inflammatory direction, of certain chemokines and cytokines such as IL10, CXCL8 and IL6, in the duodenum and ileum in response to stimulation with LPS [ 46 , 47 ]. Interestingly, the same signaling was elevated in the brains of active samples involved in the study by Bennett and colleagues (2013) [ 49 ].…”

“…The results of Conway and colleagues (2021) [ 50 ] and Dowley et al (2021) [ 47 ] showed positive effects of the treatments on the amount of volatile fatty acids (VFA) produced by the gut flora, an improvement in VH (villus height) in the duodenum and jejunum in the animal models tested and an increase in the expression of SLC15A1 (solute transporter family) and FABP2 (fatty acid binding protein) in the duodenum compared to the control group.…”

“…Still, the study Lee et al (2009) [ 51 ], reported increased mRNA levels of active calcium transport genes (duodenal CABP9K, TRPV6, and renal CABP9K, TRPV5,6). Again, Malik et al (2022) [ 48 ] found increased expression of VDR in the liver and kidney after treatment, while Dowley et al (2021) [ 47 ] showed increased expression in the duodenum.…”

Gut Health and Influencing Factors in Pigs

“…It also stimulates the expression of antimicrobial peptides and increases the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, subsequently reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokines [ 121 ]. Dowley et al [ 122 ] reported that weanlings supplemented with mushroom powder containing vitamin D 2 (100 µg/kg feed) improved their intestinal morphology, increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and nutrient transporters, and decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines indicating intestinal health improvement after weaning. B vitamins are also important supplements for intestinal health.…”